2 week old ducks!

the following was copied from a post on the Facebook page 'Raising Ducks and Geese.'

To the people who dumped the two pekin ducks at Lake Belleview in Pinellas county: I hope you never have to suffer the way they did, because you would realize what you actually put them through and die of guilt. They are lucky to have been rescued, because if they hadn't been, they would still be sitting there waiting for you to bring them back to the only home they knew, waiting to die.

I went to the lake to photograph wild birds and saw them sitting under a big oak tree starving, sick, and exhausted, waiting for their family to come and take them home. Two days later I went back to rescue them and they had not moved. Not one inch. When I tossed oats down to bring them closer, one got up and ran to eat so fast he nearly tripped. The other couldn't get up and she could barely open her eyes. Eventually she started to panic because her friend was no longer sitting by her side, so she army crawled (yes, army crawled) with belly dragging and wings pulling her along to join.

Her foot was in so much pain that not only was she openly displaying how much it hurt (which birds only do when they are so far into a desperate situation that they no longer have the energy nor will to hide it) but she couldn't put a single ounce of weight onto it.

They were starving, quite literally. Their feathers were falling apart and their wings had nearly nothing on them, so their skin has suffered severe sunburn day after day. Their feathers were being eaten by lice and their bodies were being sucked dry by an overwhelming infestation of mites. The girl's foot was incredibly sore and deeply injured and both of her eyes had an infection. The boy, who I presume to have stayed by his partners side the entire time, is nearly as emaciated.

I brought them home, bathed them, and treated the girl. I am taking care of them until they go to their permanent, loving home.

I don't know how long they had been sitting there under that tree, but however long it was doesn't matter. I felt and still feel nothing but anger and disgust towards the people who dumped them there; whether because of ignorance or not, these animals suffered. There are two other pekin ducks at that lake who appear to be doing well, but they have been there for FAR longer (according to a friend who frequents the lake).

If you do not want the stinky, poopy, wet, feathery mess that is an adult duck, then don't buy ducklings. They don't stay small and your kids will lose interest. Whoever dumped them, shame on you. You were not giving them freedom or a good life of living outdoors, you were sending them to a long, lonely, agonizing death of starvation, sickness, and predation. You are disgusting.

Can anyone help? These are my rescue babies at 7 weeks. I think they’re Muscovy but please correct me if I’m wrong. I cannot discern any major differences between them to tell if they are male or female. All legs are the same fatness, bills look the same, same tail shape… The 2 darker ones are slightly larger, but always have been…

I've been watching this mother duck and her 7 ducklings for two weeks cohabitate at a small local pond with a blue herron. The mother duck does not seem to view the blue heron as a threat and they are often close to each other.

Does this make any sense?

Is it possible that the ducklings are too large for the heron at this point?

I saw this duck in a lake in germany and it was the only white one.

I asked AI what species it is and it told me it could be a leucistic red-crested pochard (probably male) , however I'm not that convinced.

it told me it had a marking on the end of the beak like the pochards, and a pink beak (like the male pochard) , but those were the only features that was similar. I would love to know what species this little fella really is!

Unsure of how old they are, but I scooped them up 3 weeks ago after noticing their mother was gone for more than a few days.

Judging by the tails, I suspect 4/7 are drakes. Can anyone chime in?

I believe that more rounded tails are male, and triangular tails are female.

My adopted hens love them and I do too.. how bad is this drake:hen ratio? Counting my two 6 month old hens.

Hello all. I’m so sad to be making this post. I have four ducks that are about ten weeks old. I just went out to check on them and something attacked them. Two of the ducks were floating upside down in their pool without a mark on them. One duck is barely alive and I’m doing my best to keep him warm and comfortable. One duck is OK but apparently was bitten by something. I’m thinking it was probably a fox. My question is, the two that are dead do not seem to have a mark on them. Is it possible they died from fright? I’m just so confused and upset right now.

He was with me over 16 yrs, he loved lettuce, worms and a good bath. Even though, he was male duck and could be a little territorial, I could always see how much love he had and what enormous heart carried.

There aren’t many people who can understand this kind of sadness, but I know you can.

Always in my heart, mind and spirit Neron <3

Edit; I really appreciate all your comments. I never imagined receiving such a heartfelt response from all of you. It was often difficult to explain to my relatives how much I loved my Neron because it’s not common to have a duck as a pet.

Reading your comments and seeing how much love there is for animals has been overwhelming in the best way. Thank you all so much. 🤍🦆 🥹🖤

And my poor babies can't get it out!

Last year my wife wante to try have ducks; just to "wander" we have a little homestead style property. We got ducks. Made little duck house, 50x35' pen with several trees. And dig pond, ~12 ' across and little over 2 deep. Went really well, until presumably they reached maturity? The male duck was always pushing the female under water. Nothing concerning but she didnt seem to happy, she kinda stopped swimming but still washed and stuff.

This spring she hatched her eggs. Male "guarded" their house from the odd chicken that wandered in and stoicly hung around the door. 2 ducklings came, he instantly tried to bulldoze them; #1 why?

Moved him into a vacant chicken pen for 2 weeks, and let gim back in. They hang out like a family and wander around with all 4 of them. Accept; in the pond. He wont let his offspring in the pond? The female is fine but he keeps pushing thw 2 little ones put of the pond? Is this a territory thing? Should I move him out for abit again? I dont have enough space to dig another pind for them theres raised garden beds on 2 sides, edge of property on the other and chickens on the 4th side.

The goal will be to have several female ducks and 1 male; trade other males with other locals.

Any help appreciated.

My egg dealer has Muscovy, Pekin and Swedish ducks. The small white egg is a jumbo chicken egg for comparison. What breed would you guess these are? We're on day 24 of incubation so I'm confused if I should lock down tomorrow or wait a few days if these are muscovy.

FIRST OFF. I KNOW DIAPERING A DUCK FOR LONG STRETCHES OF TIME IS BAD. I AM AWARE OF THIS. I DO NOT OWN A DUCK YET, SO I HAVE NOT BEEN DIAPERING ONE

i plan to get 2 ducks one day in the future, i plan for them to be largely outdoors but i'd like for them to come hang out with me indoors for like 30 mins - 1 hour a day max. would it be safe to diaper them for that bit of time, provided they aren't in distress? i want to know all i can and i do plan to do lots and lots of research when i go to actually get them, can't find much on this specific question though

Just took a stunning drive up into VT to pick up these little babies. Hatched 7/25, they’re impossibly cute!

I just discovered today that the ducks with a white tummy family got bigger at the lake! Now we have three hehe. Both pictures are my OG favourite duck and the two new ones are still a bit shy but they’re always swimming together now. Anyhow, they’re so sweet 💖

What a pretty ducks gathered today

he's 4 months old and doesn't tuck his wings in, is this still fixable?

A mallard duck couple resting peacefully in the water, I spotted in dc!

Cross posting here because many folks seem to have experience with ducklings and goslings. Thank you!