What To Do If You Find A Baby Duck?

If you live in an area with a lot of ducks, you might have been lucky to see a ton of ducklings. And while mother ducks are very careful, one bird can detach from the flock. Knowing what to do if you find a baby duck is quite essential in such cases.

When you find a lost or orphaned baby duck, you first need to scan the area and look for the mother. If the mother is nowhere to be found, you can take care of the duckling and raise it. But if that’s not possible, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

However, there’s more to the topic. For example, what if the baby duck is injured? How many days can ducklings survive on their own when abandoned? Well, the good news is that you can learn all there is to it here.

Looking for more articles about ducklings:

How to Identify a Baby Duck?

Before anything else, you must ensure that the bird you found is actually a baby duck. And the easiest way to identify a duckling is by observing the bird. Usually, baby ducks will have yellow, gray, or brown feathers.

In addition, the ducks will have streaks or spots on their body. Also, ducklings tend to have fluffy feathers. Most importantly, they will have webbed feet, which help them to swim in water.

What to Do If You Find a Baby Duck?

Found a baby duck? You can do a couple of things when you find an abandoned duckling. They are –

1. Observe and try to find its mother

You should not pick the lost duckling up. Do not even try to grab it right when you find it. Instead, you must observe it for a while. Perhaps, the mother is around the vicinity, and she might come right back to the baby duck after some time.

If possible, check the surrounding. See whether you can find a mother duck with babies. If found, try to lead the abandoned to the mother. Alternatively, you can try and lead the mother back to the lost duckling.

2. Try to keep it warm

When you can not find the mother duck around, you should make sure that the duckling is warm. Baby ducks, especially the newly borns, should not be kept in water for a prolonged time.

So, when you have waited for a while and can’t seem to find the mother, pick the baby duck up and place it near a heat source. A heating pad set to a moderately low temperature would work best in this regard.

And while you are keeping the duckling warm, keep an eye out on the area where you found the lost duck. The mother could come searching for the lost baby.

3. Contact a waterfowl rehabber

Still no sign of the mother duck? If you are not up to adopting and raising the baby duck, you should call a wildlife or waterfowl rehabber. They will let you know what should be your next move.

Should I Try to Keep a Baby Duck as a Pet?

You should go for it if you can legally and physically raise the lost baby duckling! And if you are really considering it, keep these points in your mind –

Setting Up a Baby Duck Coop

You will need about 18 square inches of space to set up a baby duck coop. A larger area would be better. But anything smaller will not cut it.

When it comes to materials, you should gather a pile of straw and a wooden box that’s at least 3 feet high. At the chosen location, dump the straw and make a thick layer of it. The more straw you can put, the better.

Then, create a makeshift door or entryway in the box and lay it on the straw bedding. Finally, put some water and food near the DIY duck coop. That will help to make the lost duckling transition to its new home.

How Do I Feed a Baby Duck?

The best food option would be waterfowl starter crumbs. If you can not find it, an unmedicated chick crumb is a good option too. Mix 1 portion of oatmeal and 3 portions of the chick or waterfowl feed and offer it to the baby duck.

In addition to that, you should gather some vegetables and fruits. A few good examples are carrots, pumpkins, grapes, and bananas. But remember that you should cut the veggies and fruits into small pieces.

That said, ducklings require to be fed frequently. You should ensure that baby duck eats 4 to 6 times a day. And if you are looking for something specific, ducklings can eat around 113.4 grams of food per day.

What to Do If You Find an Injured Baby Duck?

If you have found an injured baby duck, you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. And if possible, take the duckling to the nearest vet. No matter what, you should not try to help a lost bird that’s injured.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can abandoned ducklings survive without their mothers?

If the duckling is not wild, they cannot survive without their mothers. At best, the baby duck can go for a day or two. Afterward, the bird will simply die. But if it is a wild duck and appears to be grown, the bird can forage food on its own.

2. How can I tell if a baby duckling is in distress?

Lathergic behavior, being unresponsive, producing unusual sounds, and signs of injuries can tell you whether the baby duckling is in distress. If you happen to find a duckling in such a condition, contact a rehabilitator immediately.

3. How do I know when a baby duck is healthy?

Clean feathers are the biggest giveaway that tells you whether a baby duck is healthy. In addition, elongated and straight toes, good appetite, and active behavior indicate that the duckling is doing well.

4. Is it legal to keep a wild duckling as a pet?

Generally, it’s not legal to keep a wild duckling as a pet. Wild animals need to be always left alone in their natural habitat. Keeping them in captivity can be harmful to their health and well-being. But do check the rules of the state before coming to a conclusion.

Final Words

Now that you know what to do if you find a baby duck, you can make the right decision when you do find a lost duckling. And in general, it’s best not to keep the duckling as a pet. After all, they thrive the best when they are around their mother.

That brings us to the end of this discussion. Hopefully, you got all the answers that you were looking for. And if possible, please get yourself connected to our Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. It will help us grow. Thank you!