Peter, I don't know if the ducklings of this species still retain part of the yolk sac or not. Not all wild duck species do. If so, this could be a reason for their delayed feeding.

Go to this site www.gbwf.com and post your question. I don't know if you have to register r not just to post, but you will find a world of info on exotic and game species over there. Good luck and please e-mail me a follow-up.

My mallard ducklings are 4 weeks old today. The day they were born their mother crushed up the egg shells and they ate that. They did not leave the nest.The next day she took them swimming and I put out some scatch grains ( cracked corn and grain for chickens) and they ate that. I think it is just that they don't have a mother to imitate her behavior and they aren't sure what to do. You are going to be their "mother" so I would just keep enticing them the way you are doing. Not sure how old they are.

Is there a wildlife rehab centre that you can contact about this? See if you can find a wild waterfowl forum too.

Make sure their feed is unmedicated since some chick starters contain medications toxic to waterfowl. Try giving them some chopped wild greens (grass, dandelions, clover, etc.)--add it to their water container for better results. Make sure they're warm enough. Often ducklings are weak and don't eat if the temperature is too low. It should be 85 degrees for domestic ducklings (for the first week and lowered 5 degrees each week) but I don't know the needs of Whistler ducklings.

I agree about the yolk sac being absorbed. With my wild mallard I was worried at first, but he was so tiny that I was pretty certain he was newly hatched. Then I remembered reading that baby chicks have about 3 days to absorb the yolk sac after hatching. I felt his little crop (if this is where the yolk is stored) and it felt a little full and "squishy", so I just waited and watched him. He started eating with GREAT enthusiasm about 2 days after I got him. I was relieved and he's been a PIG ever since! He just porks his food down and then tries to make a swamp all around his water bowl. Let us all know how things go with your babies. I think they're so much fun!
Maggie chickenmama1

I agree, I give my chicks and ducklings at least 24 hours. They need to absorb the yolk sac or they could have problems. Then try boiled egg yolk mashed with some game bird starter. May have to put their beaks in the water at first, but usually after 24 - 48 hours they have absorbed the yolk and are then hungry. If they still wonder about it, water it down a bit. Be sure the water dish has colored marbles in it. This helps get their attention, but do not leave deep enough water for them to get in yet. They'll get chilled at this age and die. Good lusk, Ducks are a blast!

Mallards and their kin, including most domestic ducks, all have the yolk sac. The exception in domestic ducks, is the muscovy. This species is just one known duck to not have a yolk sac. This is why I am concerned about other wild species, which can vary so greatly. Tree ducks are unusual as ducks go, too.

Hey guys thanks for the response. Well after 3 days they finally began to eat. What I did was put chickent scratch in water and in another I put cat food in hot water, let it cool down and they also ate that but I dont think cat food is healthy for them so I will take that away from them and start giving them the chicken scratch and some greens. Im just glad they didn't die on me. Sadly there is no wildlife rehab center down here where I live. All I have down here is the World Birding Center (www.worldbirdingcenter.org)and some rude ranger there told me it was impossible to raise whistler baby ducks and that they always die without their parents and I would fail. I sure showed him, hehe.

Thanks everyone.
Peter

Glad the ducklings are eating. I'd check into the natural diet of Whistling ducks and see what they need. Waterfowl have different needs than chickens. They probably eat seeds, grasses, wild rice, aquatic vegetation, snails, insects, etc.

Didn't you go to the gamebird and waterfowl forum I told you about? I'm sure they will be fine, but need a little more protein than regular farm ducks.

Hey Tomato Worm 59, I went to the site you posted www.gbwf.com but it's not available.

Ok, I will check into it. I haven't posted there for about a year.

Okay, try this. The other site has been sold or just moved.
http://www.voy.com/14434/

Mallards are considered waterfowl as well and I feed mine cracked corn and grain ( wild bird starter). Also give them nuts and dried berries wild bird food which they love. If you mow your grass, you can give them fresh grass clippings and catch bugs for them that the mower stirs up-beetles,grasshoppers etc. I give them dead bugs from the pool and in the skimmer.I have also visited the bait store to get them worms and crickets. They go crazy over them!! Shoveling up leaves from under our bushes is good so they can forage under the leaves for bugs and worms.We are having to keep them penned until they feather out due to a hawk taking five of them so I am trying to make their dining experience enjoyable while they are temporarily cooped up.
Best of luck
Belinda