Found a duckling...need help

[firedog]

So the other day I found a little ducking at the Fire Station which was amazing because this is I the middle of the City of Houston and there is not a pond or lake around the station. So I decide to bring the duckling home and try to identify it. After looking at many picture I am 99% it is a Black-bellied Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-bellied_Whistling_Duck

So now I have to decide what to do with it. Best guest he is only a few days old. He have it in large box with water and food (chopped up veggies and duck starter feed from a local feed store) we also have a heater stone light that is keeping the box between 90F-100F.

How long until we can’t set him free? Anything we should know?

Thanks

[Srlendon]

Sounds like you are doing a great job. If you raise it up, one day it will just take off and leave. Probably join other ducks. It's instinctive I guess.

[BarbL]

ok here's a few things,
don't put him in water right away he needs a few weeks one of the duck people will know how many exactly.
he needs feed with no medication in it, chick feed contains medication that could hurt them. But anywhere that has feed should have either waterfowl feed or non-medicated chick starter.
I know the others will be able to tell you more, but that's a good start.
you can also lower the temp in there as you go I believe it 5 degrees a week. so first week 95 second 90 etc. till he doesn't need a lamp or stone.
Sounds like you're doing it right though, and it's such a sweet thing to do.
Wishing you luck.
oh and if you can post a pic someone should be able to give you an aprox. age to help you out...

[firedog]

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/1.jpg
http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/2.jpg
http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/3.jpg
http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/4.jpg

[firedog]

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/5.jpg

[firedog]

Also it sounds more like a song bird then a duck.....kinda cool

[BarbL]

It is sooo pretty!! I'll look through some pics of baby ducks see if I can match him up the others here may know better how old but I would guess maybe a week? What do ya'll think??

[Cheeze]

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq117/firedoghfd/5.jpg

If you can't figure out what to do with him I will send you my address lol you can ship him my way to live out his life.

I would clip his wings when he is old enough to fly and keep him,If you raise him on duck food in a brooder box I don't think he would last long in the wild as an adult IMO.

[genuck]

omg he's cute!! lucky little duck that he found you

[hour3suns]

Such a sweetie! I'm thinking maybe something had tried to make a meal of it and ended up dropping it at the fire station. Thank goodness for the fire station. Never know what's going to end up at the door step. My folks don't have a pond near them either, but the ducks frequent their pool. It's been happening for years. The ducks live somewhere in their neigborhood, eat at my folks bird feeder, and when the mama has her babies they all eventually end up in the pool.

Smiling & Waving,
Sharon

[BarbL]

He is the cutest duck I have ever seen!! I am gonna email Susie and Ron and tell them to check him out maybe a crow or something was trying to take off with him. Soon you oughta be able to put him in a little kiddie pool they like that! But I think they have to wait a couple of weeks!

[BarbL]

and Cheeze if they mail him to anyone I saw him first LOL!!!

[Sentry]

He's very beautiful! I'd find a wildlife agent and see if there is a rehab center anywhere near if you want to see him released. Just tkake your time finding one and enjoy him a bit,LOL Really, if your looking to not make a pet out of him, I'd look for a local agency who could raise him. I'd be worried he'd get too used to people and have a harder time making it in the wild.

[BarbL]

That's what I had thought but Ron says they raise them all the time by hand and then their instincts kick in so off they go.....

[Sentry]

That's what I had thought but Ron says they raise them all the time by hand and then their instincts kick in so off they go.....

That's good to know. I was also thinking that a rehab might have a duck of the same breed to release with it? might be easier on the little guy if he had a buddy to fly with.

[BarbL]

That would be cool! I haven't found a pic of a duckling that matches but am still looking...

[firedog]

That would be cool! I haven't found a pic of a duckling that matches but am still looking...


http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=gm&um=1&sa=1&q=Black-bellied+Whistling-duckling&btnG=Search+images&aq=f&oq=

[BarbL]

OH there he is I have been looking on feathersite!! And catalogs that I have oh how sweet!!

[firedog]

He even responds by chirping back when we play a sound clip of an adult whistling duck.

I checked out the local wildlife rehabilitation center but they said they don't accept waterfowl. I plan teach him as much as possible about foraging so he will do well if he can be released. So far he is a great little mimic and will nibble at the grass if I "peck" at it with my fingers. Also he is great at going after bugs in the yard.

I have seen whistling duck flocks near a central park in Houston. Maybe once he fully feathers out I can attempt to introduce him to them. Especially since he definitely recognizes their call.

[BarbL]

Well see you didn't need us much, you seem to have everything going doing all the right stuff! LOL I love the pics though he is very cute! And I think you're right if you've seen them at the park there once he gets some size on him he oughta fit right in...He'll need to be about the same size as them though.

[Srlendon]

Wow, what a cutie! I've never seen a chick like that before. I hope all goes well!

[debbiefl]

You big, bad firefighters won't be able to release that rotten duck for anything! You may find a mate for it, and will be on the news. "Most stations have dalmations, but at station # whatever, they have Quackers the Duck as the mascot." I can just hear it now! Good for y'all! Keep him loved, because he is a freaking doll!

[firedog]

my wife is doing most of the work. i'm just laughing and smiling at her

[skycladfaerielady]

That is the cutest duckling I have ever seen! I would keep him/her until it decided to leave on it's own! That way, it might come back to see me! They do learn where food is available & "plan" their migrations accordingly. At least if you keep it til it leaves, you might see it again after it leaves. Do you plan on banding it, in case it brings friends?

[RonL]

Hey Firedog. Good to have you with us ... I'm not a real duck person .... I think you are right on with the breed. The duckling starter is excellent. If your feeding him more than the starter, you should get some grit for him so he can digest properly. You can raise him to adulthood, then see if he likes the wild. If you have a pond close by, you can take him often till he gets used to it. He will probably be afraid of the wild ducks at first. But will eventually catch on. If you had your own pond, his chances are good. If you decide to keep hi in your backyard, they can really mess that up with feathers and eaten grasses. He can grow up and get back to the wild by early fall. Be alert for predators. He is a sitting duck ( :) ) at his early stages. Keep us posted .........

[firedog]

what is a good grit? will just plain sand work?

[BarbL]

you can buy grit or if you give them access to dirt they will pick up their own tiny rocks to use... I never buy grit just let mine pick their own

[astevens4]

if hes hand raised my honest suggestion would be to release him onto a local pond when he's bigger - a park type pond would be perfect, where he can be fed until he learns from the other ducks how to survive - he should be about the right size to release by about 10/12 weeks.

Tony

[hour3suns]

Friendly reminder - we love pictures on here. What we'd really enjoy is seeing some pictures of you showing that little cutie pie what to do:laugh:. Don't forget to post the one where you're showing it how to swim.

Smiling & Waving,
Sharon

[Susie]

Hey there, I may not be able to help with this one, at first look. I thought it was a magpie duckling, but the bill is not quite right, it could be a cross or maybe a wild breed. It is only a week or so old, thats the easy part. You are doing all the right things for the duckling. If I were you I'd scout around the area and look for other ducks, it may have came from a backyard close to your station. As it grows, please post new pictures because ducklings change so much as they grow and its very hard to figure out what type he is until he grows into his feathers..

[Miss Gemma]

A good way to go before you even consider keeping the little fellow, and yes it sounds like your doing everything possible and right for waterfowl...lots of good advise here, but...it would be advisable to check with your states, Department of Fish and Wildlife on what you should do.

My husband worked for them in the past, and we found out the hard way when coming upon some abandoned, or mother killed sort of thing, 6 ducklings. I did my best, and made the mistake of assuming they needed water to swim and play in. Some of my neighbors heard of my rescue and suggested I take them down the hill to the local RV park and their pond.
Before I could take them there 2 ducklings died, and then the Forestry Department contacted me to say I needed to turn them in!:crying:

Apparently in some states it is a requirement that you hand over any wildlife that is found.
Unfortunately, the remainder of them died before anymore authorities could come and get them!
I found a young fawn along side the road once that had been hit by a car, I had to turn this over to them as well. They did put the animal down, it was too injured to survive, even in the animal rescue park.
So, only suggested you check out your state DFW for help, and before you get more attached.

[BarbL]

Hey Ms. G he called them and they won't take the little fella. Said they don't take ducklings...not right, but I had a friend on my goat site that found an otter baby and they wouldn't take him course that was a different state. But you would think they would have to take the babies? She raised her little otter on goats milk for awhile as it wasn't weaned. They wouldn't even give her help on what it would need so we all brainstormed.

[Miss Gemma]

Hey Ms. G he called them and they won't take the little fella. Said they don't take ducklings...not right, but I had a friend on my goat site that found an otter baby and they wouldn't take him course that was a different state. But you would think they would have to take the babies? She raised her little otter on goats milk for awhile as it wasn't weaned. They wouldn't even give her help on what it would need so we all brainstormed.

Ok, Barb, I thought the person stated they had contacted a Rescue Center, and Fish and Wildlife are statewide and of course there is the US Department of Fish and Wildlife. Gosh I hate havign to type that all out, but alot of people wouldn't know the abreviated version.

Anyway, I know how each states requirements differ from one another. In Idaho, its the Forestry Service you contact about wild ducks! WA State its F&W! Crazy...and yes, after all the proper steps, chances are you get no help in the long run...but on the other hand you find someone incredibly helpful.:thumbup: