Rescuing a baby coot

[3 Chicks]

Help!! I just rescued a baby coot that was swimming alone in the middle of the lake. What can I feed it? Anyone know how to care for it until it gets a little bigger?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Help!! I just rescued a baby coot that was swimming alone in the middle of the lake. What can I feed it? Anyone know how to care for it until it gets a little bigger?

Not sure if you'd treat it like a domesticated duckling but here is the ornamental thread link they maybe able to help you, what I have read about wild ducklings is getting them to eat that's the hard part https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/46/ornamental-fowl-swans-etc

link for caring for domesticated ducklings/ waterfowl

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[Carcajou]

Coots are also protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act so you might want to check with a wildlife rehab center regarding how to care for it and the legality of keeping them. A rehab center might have the proper credentials to keep it or steer you in the right direction to get a permit.

In the meantime, good luck and bless you for caring for it.

 

[Speceider]

Coots are not like waterfowl...the parents feed them invertbrates with some vegvetation. it would need to be offered inverts (mealworms) with forceps....and some nutrition vegetation, like spinach cut into pieces...

Clint

 

[3 Chicks]

I have found a wildlife rescue facility that can take it. Thanks for all your advice, everyone! It will be safely transported tonight.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have found a wildlife rescue facility that can take it. Thanks for all your advice, everyone! It will be safely transported tonight.

That's wonderful news. and bless you for rescuing it from certain death.

 

[desertdarlene]

I have found a wildlife rescue facility that can take it. Thanks for all your advice, everyone! It will be safely transported tonight.

Excellent! That's the best thing.

One thing I would like to mention to everyone else that baby coots are frequently off by themselves for what seems like long periods of time, even when young. They constantly vocalize so their parents know where they are.

 

[Carcajou]

I have found a wildlife rescue facility that can take it. Thanks for all your advice, everyone! It will be safely transported tonight.

Wonderful news! Bless you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Excellent! That's the best thing.

One thing I would like to mention to everyone else that baby coots are frequently off by themselves for what seems like long periods of time, even when young. They constantly vocalize so their parents know where they are.

Thanks for the info dd, seems they would be vulnerable to preds being alone like that, I would have probably wanted to help too.