Found a Lost Duckling?

[wonderbeth]

How we found him:
So my mom came home the other day with a small duckling. She said she found him in the parking lot at her job and he was wandering alone his mother no where in sight. She tried to look for her but found nothing, so she took the little duckling home. She had him loose in the car and when she got home she couldn't find him. My dad came looking with a flashlight and found him under the car seat after half an hour of searching. This disappearing act earned him the name "Waldo".

Background Info:
I live in a county where Muscovy ducks are plentiful (and very friendly) and many seem to be baring ducklings; up to twelve per mother. It's really easy for them to get lost or eaten by other animals so not many make it. I've been in this situation before (fostering ducklings) but only temporarily e.g. a few days. I'm assuming Waldo is a Muscovy too. Basically, I need you guys to tell me how I can take good care of this duckling. right now I have him in a large shoe box padded with newspaper and Waldo is snuggling with a piggy plushy I put for him. I tried to feed him wet bread but he just doesn't want to eat.

I know that I'm supposed to buy some kind of special seed mix from a feeder store, but there are none in my area (and I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any at my local pet store). So home-made suggestions would really help. I heard oatmeal flakes in water is a good alternative so I'm buying that today. How can I get Waldo to eat? How do I gain his trust? What about exercise? Pretty much diet is my main concern.

Future Plans:
Behind my house is a lake where lots of ducks live (Muscovy) and they are very friendly and walk around the neighborhood like they own it. Everyone thinks they're great and enjoys such friendly ducks. Behind my house is a big tree where all these ducks have chosen as a rendezvous point (lol) so they are practically our ducks since they eat sleep and hang out in our yard mostly. Normally when I'm fostering a duckling I care for him for a few days, make sure he's okay, then try to coax him into one of the neighborhood ducks litters. This works 50% of the time the other half involves some warning pecks. I'd like to try and raise Waldo to a point where he's grown enough so that he won't need a litter to be a part of and be ok on his own around the place.

So yeah, pretty much dump all your duck/duckling knowledge on me! Haha thank you for your time.

P.S. He is quite small

 

[duckyfromoz]

Hi there - Waldo is very cute- but I cannot convince myself from those photos that it is a muscovy. being that your mother just found him it is possible he is another breed - even though it does sound likely from what you say about the large population of them near you . Being so tiny diet is very important and while oats may be ok for a day or so- it is so much more practical to find some chick starter for him. It really is the best way to ensure a balanced diet. There are so many nutrients and trace elements that are also essential and there is only so much time in a day you can spend with ducky allowing him time time to run around on the grass picking up what food he would naturally if with a wild mother duck.

Do you have anything providing some heat for Waldo? Being so tiny- he will need some warmth provided for him. The pig may be ok to snuggle with - but it doesnt provide heat like a mother will.

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't think he's a Muscovy, either, but perhaps a Swedish. Definitely a domestic duck. DuckyfromOz gives good advice with a heat lamp and proper duck food and vitamins.

 

[Ally Rose]

http://10000birds.com/mallard-ducklings-manky-and-not.htm

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=mall...6&start=51&ndsp=55&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:51,i:339
the links are to pics that i think match your ducky. Could be this variation of mallard-- looks like someone has found ones like yours before. Hope this helped