Ducks and Geese

Watching the antics of wild, healthy ducks and geese is a pleasure in our neighborhoods, parks and places of business, but what happens when an ill or injured duck or goose or abandoned duckling/gosling is found? The proliferation of man-made lakes in the greater Phoenix area, while providing cooling beauty, has resulted in soaring populations of domestic and migratory ducks and geese.
Since ducks and geese are here because man created water places, conscience dictates that we assist them when things go wrong. Ducks and geese are frequently injured by fishing line, hooks, lead weights, litter, blow darts, arrows, chemicals, cars, and pets. None of these are natural occurrences, and prevention is the best policy. But if you find an ill or injured duck or goose, call a rehabber.
To find an East Valley Wildlife rehabilitator call 480-814-9339.

Ducklings

Hatching is a stressful ordeal for a new little duckling or gosling, and time is needed afterwards to dry off and regain strength. Sometimes, by the time the last ducklings/goslings hatch their older siblings are active and anxious to find water. Here are some points to remember:
	Ducklings or goslings that hatch last may not have enough time to recover; they may not keep up with the family and eventually fall behind. Sometimes ducklings/goslings stray from the group and get lost. A mother duck or goose may also abandon eggs that are slow to hatch, concentrating instead on getting active ducklings/goslings to food, water, and safety. If abandoned eggs hatch after she leaves the nest, the ducklings/goslings are left to fend for themselves. If you're able to catch a lone, dry duckling or gosling, with duck/goose families nearby, walk around the area, including the shores of lakes or streams with the duckling or gosling cupped securely in your hands. Let it peep loudly. Only it's mother will respond to it's cries, and she should respond in a frantic, angry manner. Never put lost ducklings or goslings back into the water unless you're confident you've located it's particular family; it is not likely to survive without it's mother, and another mother duck or goose will reject it. If you find a wet duckling or gosling, or find an abandoned duckling/gosling with no duck/goose families in the area, it is not likely to survive on its own and it must be rescued.  Do not keep the youngster in water. Keep it in a box with a warm towel.  Ducklings and goslings do not have the waterproofing adults of their species has.

Ducklings in your pool?

Ducklings in your swimming pool? Here's a tip: If the ducklings cannot get out, place an old window screen or piece of wood with a towel on the edge of the pool. Weight one end down on the pool deck with a heavy rock, bag of sand, etc and let the other end sit in the water.  This will allow the ducklings to get out on their own and the screen or wet towel will give them traction.  Ducklings that cannot get out of a pool will most likely become fatigued and drown.  Give them a fighting chance!

Ducklings/Goslings in a yard, office park or parking lot

When a mother hatches her ducklings/goslings in a yard, office complex, or parking lot, she may have no way to get them safely to water. If the property is near a lake or stream and you can open a gate so the mother can safely lead her brood to water, this is ideal.

If there are no pets or traffic nearby, you may allow the mother to raise the ducklings there until they are old enough to fly away. You will need to buy or borrow a wading pool, provide correct shelter and nutrition for the little family, and put up with a considerable mess for several weeks. For instructions and support, call a waterfowl rehabber.


If the family is in or near a swimming pool:

• A ramp must be provided in order for the ducklings/goslings to climb out of the water, or they will drown. A board, folded lawn chair, or any other type of material with enough texture to provide traction, for wet little webbed feet will do.

• If it is impossible to allow the mother to lead her brood safely to water or raise them where they have hatched, try to keep the mother duck/goose calm until we can help you.

• Keep children and pets completely away from the little family.

• Provide softened dog food and call a rehabber. A volunteer will try to capture the mother duck/goose, who will certainly try to fly away.

• Once the mother duck/goose is captured, the ducklings/goslings will follow, and the family will be relocated to an appropriate location. However, if the mother duck/goose flies away and does not return, the ducklings/goslings will have to be rescued.  Do not keep the youngster in water. Keep it in a box with a warm towel.  Ducklings and goslings do not have the waterproofing adults of their species has.
   

Rescue and stabilizing ducklings/goslings

Pick up the duckling/gosling using your hands if possible. If it cannot safely be caught with your hands, gently place a clean, lightweight cloth over it, and catch it while it's covered. Prepare a container, such as a pet carrier or a deep cardboard box (ducklings can jump two-feet high) with a heat source and some soft, absorbent material, such as paper towels or newspaper, or clean cloths.
The younger the duckling/gosling, the more important it is to keep him warm. Ducklings/goslings should not be kept in water. Ducklings/goslings need an external source of heat such as a heating pad set on low or a hot water bottle filled with warm (not hot) water. A temporary, disposable heating pad can be made by putting some dry rice or beans in a sock and knot close, and microwave it for one minute. Cover the bag with cloth or several layers of paper and nestle the duckling/goslings into the softness.

• Once the duckling/gosling is warmed, water and food may be offered. Never force food or water down a duckling/gosling's throat, rather, put a small dish of clean water in it's box.

• Provide softened dry dog food in water and offer it to the duckling/gosling on your finger. Put just a small amount into its mouth, then see if it will nibble some more off your fingers. Leave the rest of the softened dog food in a shallow dish in his box.

• It is stressful for the duckling/gosling to be handled, and never expose it to your pets.

• Wild ducklings/goslings are not pets or toys and should never be treated as such by anyone

• Reduce the duckling/gosling's stress by keeping the box still, quiet, and dark. Do not keep the youngster in water.  Ducklings and goslings do not have the waterproofing adults of their species has.

• Now that the duckling/gosling is stable, call a rehabber.