This is kind of off topic....but I had to share. So, I was just settling into what I though would be a relatively quiet evening with my critters when, "knock kock".....my neighbor is at the door. She wanted me to come outside and see "something." I insisted that I was not dressed. She insisted I "GET DRESSED and come outside." First "ARGH!" Next "AWE!" Then "OMG!" It seems a Momma duck had the audasity to abandon two of her babies in MY front yard! According to the neighbor, the chicks had been there for many hours....with no sign of any Momma. Now I live in a city neighborhood......I have NEVER seen a duck around there....EVER! What was she doing there and why would she choose my yard to leave her babies? So, my wonderful neighbor, who's name is Dawn like mine, "conned" me.....the resident "bird lady".....to "rescue" them from the neighborhood predators and an impending thunderstorm. I decided to put them in a small cat carrier. We got one in there fairly easily.....but four adults had to chase down the other one.....little bugger was FAST! We finally threw a towel over it and I took it to be with it's sibling.....only to discover the sibling was GONE! He had escaped through one of the little holes in the door/grate to the cat cage! We searched for over an hour and did not find him. Poor thing will most likely have a very rough night and no tomorrows. Anyway.....I put the newly captured one safely in a plastic bin and put holes in the lid. Since he is most likely way to young to eat on his own, I decided to give him some of Cookie's bappy cereal. To my surprize, this was relatively successful....I actually got a bit down him I also put in some seed hoping he just might eat some. Until a while ago, he was all bundled up inside a little towel and sleeping soundly. Right now, he is peeping like crazy and running around his box. I am sure he misses his family. He is way tooooo cute.....looks like a baby bumble bee.......yellow and black circles all around him. Now....what do I do with the little bugger? There is a duck pond about 5 miles down the road.....I would like to take him there, but I am afraid he won't survive on his own being this young. Anybody know when he will be able to take care of himself? Any suggestions here? I am all ears! Just DO NOT suggest I keep him! Oh....and yes, for the short time he is in my care, I am keeping him FAR, FAR AWAY from my CAGs!

Dawn and Cracker Jack and Cookie

Sorry I can't help you. Did you give him water? Let me see if I can come up with anything on line. Arty may be able to help you too if he's still around.

Here's some info I found:

:> Liveducks.com | Duck Care and Feeding

If You Find a Baby Wild Animal | The Humane Society of the United States

Ducks are like baby chickens, they can eat small food from day one. Finely crushed corn, but not corn meal or even crushed parrots pellets is good as a temporary measure. They need a shallow dish of water to drink.

Is there a Wildlife sanctuary near you? They will take the baby and prepare him for society.

Duck! Awww! I Love ducks (???)! They are like chickens. You an buy them chicken feed at a feed store. Here's where you can order feed and supplies:

McMurray Hatchery - Feed & Supplements

General Care/Info:
http://www.birdcare.asn.au/pdf/ducks.pdf
Projects - Raising Ducks In The City :: PathtoFreedom.com ::
:> Liveducks.com | FAQ's (includes part about finding abandoned baby ducks)
Finding a Baby Duck: What To Do When You Find a Baby Bird
Duck as Pets - All About Choosing Ducks for Pets and Caring for them

One of the most important things to do is NOT leave a bucket of water out while unsupervised. They are curious and will climb in it and could drown. There are specialy made waterers you can use. Just so you know, you will probably end up keeping them, other wose you could find a good home for them (aka me, lol). He probably be able to go back to the wild either. If for any reason you decide to keep him (you will be very happy, lol) I can take pics of my coop that is currently empty, but it will give you an idea of whant you can bu/build.

That is a good idea. I would just google it and see what you come up with. Good luck! You have done a good thing by caring for him.

I wonder if Arty would have any good advice?

Oh yes, are there any neighborhood teenager who have a nack for causing trouble? Or, maybe a stranger knew of you and found these two babies and left them for you... Its really unlikely a mother would abandom them in your yard and the chicks not follow her...

The baby duck will be able to take care of itself when it can fly. While it is covered in down, it will need a source of heat. As ducks are born with the ability to eat, swim and move around on their own, he should do ok as long as he has food, water, warmth, and his environment is kept clean.

If the mama duck wasn't around, it probably meant she met with a bad end of some sort. They don't generally leave their babies anywhere alone. It is possible that they got separated from her if something like a dog or child took off after her and she couldn't get back to the babies, too.

If the duck is a common mallard or a domestic duck, you may want to check with any wildlife rehabbers before you bring the duckling in to them. The Audobon Society in my city states clearly on their front door that they do not accept mallards, domestic ducks, raccoons, opossums, etc. If any of those animals are left with them, they clearly state that those animals will be immediately euthanized. You wouldn't want that duckling to come to the same end, I'm sure!

That's really about it. Food can be the stuff they naturally find in the wild (and the best choice, if you're up to bringing it to the little guy, or vice versa, in the form of an X-pen or other movable enclosure that he can safely stay outside in), or you can feed them commercially prepared duck/chicken food. I grew up with hundreds of pet ducks--they're really pretty hardy as long as their needs for warmth when they're still downy, food, cleanliness, clean water and a clean environment (kinda hard to keep up with, sometimes--they're messy little fellows!) are met. Good luck!

[quote]That's what I think could have happened. Either that or some kids found a mother duck and her chicks and took a couple of the chicks 'for fun'.

I don't think the nearest one to us does either. Supposedly, they are so common and bond to humans so much they can never really be 'wild' again.

If you are sure you can't keep him, there are duck rescues and I have seen many on Pet Finder.com. I know I would take him in an instant, but sadly, can't...
I don't advise you to feed fruits and veggies as a regular source in the diet. Small apple chunks, grape halves and berries I have heard are a good choice are treats. I will take a pic of the pen we have. It has a pen and house for shelter as well as nezt boxes. You could probably easily make this.