Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today i found a baby duck with no mother or any other babies with it in my backyard today, when it tried to move i realized that its back left leg was either broken or never worked in the first place (it seems limp, webbed foot not spread, and bleeding from right where it is attached to the body). After searching and not finding any nest or mother around (for HOURS....), i felt obligated to help it myself... could anyone please help me with suggestions on how to help its leg, what to feed it, or places to take it (I live in New Jersey), it would be much appreciated, thank you.

Hey

Try to put the leg with a temporary splint. There are many websites that help to show how to do this if you do a search.
I found a few that might help...

http://burgebirdservices.homestead.com/er_break.html
http://www.starlingtalk.com/fractures.htm
http://www.petcaretips.net/bird-first-aid.html

You'll need to find the break in the bones but be careful not to cause any further pain or distress. If your not 100% sure of how to do it properly then don't risk hurting the duckling.

The duckling can be fed on corn... wheat or mixed grains.
You should be able to buy these from any good pet shops.

Foods like bread should only be used as a last resort and not given in large amounts as it swells inside their crops ( the organ for storing food before it enters the Gizzard (Stomach)).

Make sure it has plenty of water... although don't let it get too wet as it could get a chill and die as ducklings are not totally waterproof at a young age.

The best thing you can do it try to contact any Vet's or wildlife rescue centers that could help. Even any local bird breeders may be able to help you by giving advice or help bandage and splint the leg.

If you get anymore probs please write back... let us know how it go please.

Mel x