How Do You Care For A Baby Wood Duck?
Considered one of the most beautiful of all water birds, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the wood duck is a member of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and swans. Wood ducks were near extinction at the turn of the century, but wildlife conservationists and sportsmen supported limitations on hunting wood ducks during the 1930s, which has resulted in a renewed population numbering in the millions, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Ducks are hardy and present few problems in the journey to adulthood, says the University of Minnesota Extension website. Prepare a draft-free, half-square foot of floor space for one baby wood duck that is 2 weeks old or younger. Cover the floor with about 4 inches of dry straw, hay or peat moss to serve as bedding. Add a half-square foot of space to the brooding area when your duck reaches 3 weeks of age. Add an additional half-square foot each week until the area measures 2 square feet. Remove wet bedding material dai
