no wildlife centre nearby ? is it injured from the cat ?dont know what to suggest, maybe a dark box with a saucer of water and a tea towel for it to hide in
Basically, keep it warm, dry, safe from predators (which includes the cat) and as you probably haven't got duckling food available, some honey in water will keep it hydrated.
Provide it with a mirror so it thinks it's got company and then it is less likely to imprint on you. You may have some difficulty feeding it as, like chicks, it will mimic what it sees so unless you want to get down there and mimic pecking at food...
Good luck, hope it makes it through the night and that you can get it to a an animal rescue / RSPCA asap tomorrow.
Proabably should have posted in advice really, was in a panic lst night.
anyway, it survived the night, not sure it is a duck think it may be a gosling or something. It's not tiny, probably so I'm wondering if I should try it with bread or somehting
Proabably should have posted in advice really, was in a panic lst night.
anyway, it survived the night, not sure it is a duck think it may be a gosling or something. It's not tiny, probably so I'm wondering if I should try it with bread or somehting
As it's not tiny - I was thinking it was hand-size tiny - you could try it on some finely chopped fruit (apple, peach, say) along with - if you've got a garden or open land nearby - chopped grass, dandelions, plantains, etc. They peck at a lot of greenery in the wild. The info in the link I supplied last night suggested this:
<< 6. Green feed (lettuce, spinach, tender young grass, etc.) chopped to 1/4-inch lengths and sprinkled in the water and on the feed helps get goslings as well as ducklings to eat quickly, and off to a fast start. >>
They do need protein so if you can find worms and chop those up, any insects (though as I'm rather fond of insects I feel bad about suggesting this!) or if you've got some meat or fish, prawns, etc you could chop up small pieces to about the size of a small fingernail - and mix that in with the chopped greenery. This will mimic what they would be finding in and around a pond. Make sure it has a good sized container of water but try and ensure it cannot knock it over or climb in.
But I am not an expert on this, just suggesting what seems logical.
Do you know where the cat might have got it from? Local pond? Neighbours' garden if any keep fowl? It sounds of a size where it could just be released back to a pond but I'm just guessing and the RSPCA will advise you accurately on this.
As it's not tiny - I was thinking it was hand-size tiny - you could try it on some finely chopped fruit (apple, peach, say) along with - if you've got a garden or open land nearby - chopped grass, dandelions, plantains, etc. They peck at a lot of greenery in the wild. The info in the link I supplied last night suggested this:
<< 6. Green feed (lettuce, spinach, tender young grass, etc.) chopped to 1/4-inch lengths and sprinkled in the water and on the feed helps get goslings as well as ducklings to eat quickly, and off to a fast start. >>
They do need protein so if you can find worms and chop those up, any insects (though as I'm rather fond of insects I feel bad about suggesting this!) or if you've got some meat or fish, prawns, etc you could chop up small pieces to about the size of a small fingernail - and mix that in with the chopped greenery. This will mimic what they would be finding in and around a pond. Make sure it has a good sized container of water but try and ensure it cannot knock it over or climb in.
But I am not an expert on this, just suggesting what seems logical.
Do you know where the cat might have got it from? Local pond? Neighbours' garden if any keep fowl? It sounds of a size where it could just be released back to a pond but I'm just guessing and the RSPCA will advise you accurately on this.
Thanks again
I don't think it can just be released, it obviously can't fly and it's feathers are very damaged - most of them are on our patio:mad:.
We have stream nearby so I assume it came from there, though I've never actually seen babie/ families of ducks or whatever there. I saw a pair of ducks looking as if they were going to set up home there last year but assumed it never happended as I only saw them once.
You haven't mentioned its damage / injuries before. In that case, the RSPCA it is. As soon as possible because cats have bacteria-ridden mouths and any wounds will quickly become infected and that will kill the bird.
You haven't mentioned its damage / injuries before. In that case, the RSPCA it is. As soon as possible because cats have bacteria-ridden mouths and any wounds will quickly become infected and that will kill the bird.
You're right I hadn't, I was telling my friend about it as I was posting on here and forgot I'd told her about it being injured but not posted it here.
It seem quite contented this morning, I'd love to know what it is. None of the images I'm googling seem to match. It's beak is quite pointy.
Waiting in for RSPCA to call now, hopefully they will be here soon
Comments
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/200593/orphaned-ducklings-help
Basically, keep it warm, dry, safe from predators (which includes the cat) and as you probably haven't got duckling food available, some honey in water will keep it hydrated.
Provide it with a mirror so it thinks it's got company and then it is less likely to imprint on you. You may have some difficulty feeding it as, like chicks, it will mimic what it sees so unless you want to get down there and mimic pecking at food...
Good luck, hope it makes it through the night and that you can get it to a an animal rescue / RSPCA asap tomorrow.
Normandie's advice sounds good though.
Proabably should have posted in advice really, was in a panic lst night.
anyway, it survived the night, not sure it is a duck think it may be a gosling or something. It's not tiny, probably so I'm wondering if I should try it with bread or somehting
It's about the size of a pigeon
As it's not tiny - I was thinking it was hand-size tiny - you could try it on some finely chopped fruit (apple, peach, say) along with - if you've got a garden or open land nearby - chopped grass, dandelions, plantains, etc. They peck at a lot of greenery in the wild. The info in the link I supplied last night suggested this:
<< 6. Green feed (lettuce, spinach, tender young grass, etc.) chopped to 1/4-inch lengths and sprinkled in the water and on the feed helps get goslings as well as ducklings to eat quickly, and off to a fast start. >>
They do need protein so if you can find worms and chop those up, any insects (though as I'm rather fond of insects I feel bad about suggesting this!) or if you've got some meat or fish, prawns, etc you could chop up small pieces to about the size of a small fingernail - and mix that in with the chopped greenery. This will mimic what they would be finding in and around a pond. Make sure it has a good sized container of water but try and ensure it cannot knock it over or climb in.
But I am not an expert on this, just suggesting what seems logical.
Do you know where the cat might have got it from? Local pond? Neighbours' garden if any keep fowl? It sounds of a size where it could just be released back to a pond but I'm just guessing and the RSPCA will advise you accurately on this.
Thanks again
I don't think it can just be released, it obviously can't fly and it's feathers are very damaged - most of them are on our patio:mad:.
We have stream nearby so I assume it came from there, though I've never actually seen babie/ families of ducks or whatever there. I saw a pair of ducks looking as if they were going to set up home there last year but assumed it never happended as I only saw them once.
It seem quite contented this morning, I'd love to know what it is. None of the images I'm googling seem to match. It's beak is quite pointy.
Waiting in for RSPCA to call now, hopefully they will be here soon
Quite
that's what the rspca man said, too
Dont be embarrassed. All friends here.
I'd still quite like to see a picture of the pigeon the cat brought home.
Sorry, but
It does also explain why you hadn't seen any sign of duck parents...
Thanks again all, I just can't believe I didn't look at it's feet:o:)
Maybe it is a pigeon.