Ducklings or goslings hatch with downy feathers and the ability to walk and feed themselves, but need their parents for warmth and protection. Ducklings or goslings wandering around without a parent in sight are likely orphaned. Do NOT place them in the water. They WILL be come hypothermic without their parents.

Goslings imprint too easily so we do not keep them in care. If you find a gosling alone, call us and we can walk you through how to find a foster family. If we are closed, you can take the gosling around to nearby waterways and look for families that have goslings that are the same size as the one you found. Set the gosling on the ground and step away. The gosling may try to follow you, so just turn it around and point it in the direction of the family. If all goes well, it will go to the family. If it does, stay and watch to make sure that they do not try to chase it away, or make sure that the other goslings do not attack it. If either of those things happens, pick up the gosling and try with another family. If night falls and you have been unsuccessful, place the gosling in a box or kennel, and make sure to put it in a warm place! You can use a heating pad under the box or kennel and perhaps turn up the heat. You can put a water dish in but make sure the gosling does not get wet. you can also put some grass in there for food. It is very important to leave the gosling alone and not to talk to it. If the gosling imprints on you, then the gosling will not be able to return to the wild.

If you find ducklings, call us. If we are unavailable, place them into a box, bring them home, do not feed or give them water, and make sure to keep them warm! They also need to be left alone. Your presence will cause them a great deal of stress.