My cat brought a duckling into the house last night!

[LynsBrat]

this baby (looks like a Mallard) must be a day old at the most! Fortunately we have raised chicks (just moved the new ones outside last month and I have had ducks before but never this young! Should we attempt to find the mother/nest or will the mother not take it back?? I have read what we should do to care for the little thing but now I'm trying to decide if we should care for it till it gets old enough for the park pond or try to return it to its family... fortunately it doesnt appear to be injured at all

only in my house do cats drag ducks past chicken coops and into the house thru a dog door and on in to the kids room..lol!!

 

[Habibs Hens]

try find the nest as birds dont venture far from home

if you cant find the nest raise it but if you intend to release it then minimal to zero human contact

other wise you will have to keep it as pet as it wont survive if it gets used to people

 

[Miss Lydia]

this baby (looks like a Mallard) must be a day old at the most! Fortunately we have raised chicks (just moved the new ones outside last month and I have had ducks before but never this young! Should we attempt to find the mother/nest or will the mother not take it back?? I have read what we should do to care for the little thing but now I'm trying to decide if we should care for it till it gets old enough for the park pond or try to return it to its family... fortunately it doesnt appear to be injured at all

only in my house do cats drag ducks past chicken coops and into the house thru a dog door and on in to the kids room..lol!!

I doubt even if you found the mama she would recognize it as hers. Maybe check to see if you have any wild life rehabbers in your area, if not please don't set out at a park pond, it will not have instincts to be able to survive since mama teaches these things to their little ones.
And our cat use to bring live chip monks into the house and wild birds so I know exactly where your coming from.

 

[LynsBrat]

good to know, thanks! we wont put it at the park pond...looks like we have a duck now! Hope it doesnt mind being one of a kind! and I really hope its a SHE!!! lol love duck eggs! I may see if my friend would like it for her new pond once its finished!

 

[Miss Lydia]

good to know, thanks! we wont put it at the park pond...looks like we have a duck now! Hope it doesnt mind being one of a kind! and I really hope its a SHE!!! lol love duck eggs! I may see if my friend would like it for her new pond once its finished!

That maybe a good idea especially if she has wild Mallards come by, the duckling when adult may just hook up with a drake and find out it likes living in the wild. Good luck.

 

[LynsBrat]

That maybe a good idea especially if she has wild Mallards come by, the duckling when adult may just hook up with a drake and find out it likes living in the wild. Good luck.

do they need duck buddies? or can they grow up with chickens alone? I have read they are social creatures and dont like to be alone

 

[Miss Lydia]

do they need duck buddies? or can they grow up with chickens alone? I have read they are social creatures and dont like to be alone

They really don't like to be alone, another duckling would be a good idea, ducks are messy[think water] I don't think the chickens would appreciate it.

 

[LynsBrat]

They really don't like to be alone, another duckling would be a good idea, ducks are messy[think water] I don't think the chickens would appreciate it.

She escaped (assuming its a pullet) in the middle of the night last night, found a gap in the wire and the little brat went wondering thru the house all night (we searched for her for an hpur at 3am!!!) evaded the cats luckily and was found downstairs this morning snuggled up to my chair!!!!! SOOOOOO We caved! Bought two gosling pullets today that are the very same age..., now "what" the duck is super happy and running around with them and snuggling together like a little family!!

I have a home lined up for all 3 of them in a few months until then, they are safe here

 

[miquwid]

Oh goodness what an eventure this little has had! Well good luck with everything and I'm glad it has a good home!

 

[bribre]

No pics??