The Poultry Keeper

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:24 am Post subject: Help Me!! New Duck!!

Hi,

I was coming out of the gym this morning ( having a little Friday off work!) That will teach me, there was a duckling walking along the road. I picked it up ( it nearly fell down the drain!) and walked for about 20 mins trying to find the mum and family. I didn't find anything, so I brought him home ( in my lap, hope I didn't squeeze too tight!)

So now I have a duckling, please tell me what i need to do! I have him/her in a box with a towel and a small container of Water. I plan on going to get some chick crumbs later as I only have growers and layers.

Please help!!

Thanks
AC.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Good Luck with your Duck !

Sorry, never kept ducks, but don't they have different feed to chicks?

CP · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:33 am Post subject:

Not much help from me, I'm afraid! Don't have any experience of ducks.

I'm sure jaydee & debcat have them & I think they said they feed chick crumbs as there's nothing else where they are. It must work for them.

Hope they come on later with more info for you!

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:35 am Post subject:

I've just edited my post to add the pic. I will take more pics later, I've got so much to do today. I'll be back later with an update!

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:38 am Post subject:

Ooooo....so sweet !!

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

debcat · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject:

bless him

It's the coccids that aren't good or them, they get overdosed compared to chicks

You can feed mash, they eat loads more than chicks and grow really fast as well
he doesn't look very old so just enough water to drink but not get into. He'll be a bit waterproof if he's been with mum but now he's on his own it won't last

They don't need as much heat as chicks and only for a couple of weeks in the summer.

Good luck
Debs

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

I'm really sad Sad

I went to the local store and got food and a special sized feeder for the water, then I had a meeting for an hour and left the duckie with the neighbours, they rang me to say it died!!!!!!

How come it would just die like that? I thought I did all the right things!

I want another one! so do the neighbours who had him for an hour!

Bhindi · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear that, nature can have a cruel twist at times, it may have been ill so it could'nt keep up with the rest of its family, unfortunately you just don't know....

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Sorry AC. I guess there was a reason it was on it's own. Crying or Very sad

Nature isn't always kind and soft of heart.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Oh that's a shame, as others have said already, but it could also be the shock, wild animals can take it badly Crying or Very sad

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

Aww sorry to hear that your duckling died.

Mine oldest are now 6 weeks old and HUGE!. First time having them for me and I wouldn't be without them now. I fed ours 50/50 chick crumbs and meal for the first wee while then they went onto just meal, second batch had just meal from when we got them at 4 days old. Both lots are doing great. You will need to try to find ducklings or hatching eggs now - I think they are even more addictive than hens!

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject:

OH AC, so sorry, it sounds like it had not been able to keep up. What a shame Crying or Very sad

debcat · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:19 pm Post subject:

Really sorry about your wee one
Sad

Knobby · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject:

Ohhh...sorry AC....at least it didnt pass away at the side of the road all alone !!! Sad