Mourning Duck

Date sort Score sort
char032

char032

In the Brooder
9 Years
Aug 28, 2010
15
1
24
Hey there, I have an Indian Runner that lost her other half 6 days ago. I was able to find another duck, a Muscovy on the 24th, hoping they will bond. I was wondering how long the process may take or if they will bond. The Indian Runner is quaking horribly and does it for most of the day. She seems really distressed and I am wondering if there is anything else I could do or should be doing. Thanks.
 
char032 said:
Hey there, I have an Indian Runner that lost her other half 6 days ago. I was able to find another duck, a Muscovy on the 24th, hoping they will bond. I was wondering how long the process may take or if they will bond. The Indian Runner is quaking horribly and does it for most of the day. She seems really distressed and I am wondering if there is anything else I could do or should be doing. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Have you introduced the 2 yet? I would do it through fencing so they have time to get to know each other. Of course she is stressed it is very hard on them to lose their only flock. whether it's one or more. I think in time they will bond but it isn't always love at first sight so take it slow and easy. and
Welcome to BYC @char032
 
Last edited:
They are both walking around in the yard. Neither have shown aggression toward each other and both are female. I have noticed the Indian Runner will follow the new duck somewhat today and that is new. It is just the Indian Runner is so loud, and I am afraid the neighbors are going to start a lynch mob soon. I have talked to those in the immediate area, but I guess people who are three blocks away can here her. That was why I was asking if anyone knew about how long they can go on like this, so I can tell people a time frame in hopes they won't lose it.
 
char032 said:
They are both walking around in the yard. Neither have shown aggression toward each other and both are female. I have noticed the Indian Runner will follow the new duck somewhat today and that is new. It is just the Indian Runner is so loud, and I am afraid the neighbors are going to start a lynch mob soon. I have talked to those in the immediate area, but I guess people who are three blocks away can here her. That was why I was asking if anyone knew about how long they can go on like this, so I can tell people a time frame in hopes they won't lose it.
Click to expand...
Did a predator get the other Runner? or did it die from sickness asking because if she witnessed a pred take her mate she maybe reacting to that trauma. That's good she is starting to follow the other ducks around hopefully that will start to calm her down. Sounds like she is freaking out because she is us to having her mate and now that mate is gone. you do put them up at night right. at least that will muffle the noise at night and hopefully all will understand this is a process she is going through and once she bonds with this Muscovy most of her noise will settle down. Was she loud before she lost her mate? how old?
 
A predator did get her sister. I do lock them up at night, but the predator came out much earlier then usual. Which being December makes sense to me now, but I was not expecting it. She was born sometime in June, so she is probably close to being 6 months. I am just really surprised about how long this has been going on and can't believe she has not lost her voice yet. She is quiter in the coop and she goes in around 4:30, but even then if she hears us going into the car or opening the door she sounds off which never happened before. People have been generally understanding, but I am starting to worry about the duration.
 
Last edited:
char032 said:
A predator did get her sister. I do lock them up at night, but the predator came out much earlier then usual. Which being December makes sense to me now, but I was not expecting it. She was born sometime in June, so she is probably close to being 6 months. I am just really surprised about how long this has been going on and can't believe she has not lost her voice yet. She is quiter in the coop and she goes in around 4:30, but even then if she hears us going into the car or opening the door she sounds off which never happened before. People have been generally understanding, but I am starting to worry about the duration.
Click to expand...
Hopefully as time goes by maybe not your timing but hers she will settle especially since she now has some company, and hopefully all the neighbors will understand. So she had the trauma of losing her best friend to a pred while she was there and then being alone without her. I hope she'll start to get interested in her new buddy soon. At least you won't have to worry about the Scovy joining in on the noise.

So sorry for your loss.
 
I figured it would take time, and I am willing to stick with it. I was just hoping for more concrete information on the topic since I have not gone through this. And the neighbors really are understanding, thank God. I am just really suprised there isn't any information on Duck bonding and what happens when one is lost. Maybe I am not asking the right question, or am looking in the wrong areas. At any rate, I guess I will learn by trial and error. Thanks for the encouragement!
 
char032 said:
I figured it would take time, and I am willing to stick with it. I was just hoping for more concrete information on the topic since I have not gone through this. And the neighbors really are understanding, thank God. I am just really suprised there isn't any information on Duck bonding and what happens when one is lost. Maybe I am not asking the right question, or am looking in the wrong areas. At any rate, I guess I will learn by trial and error. Thanks for the encouragement!
Click to expand...
You know I have read quite a bit about geese mourning the loss of a mate since they mate for life, but other than on here on BYC I haven't read of any thing about ducks and what they go through but there are a few people lately who have similar things going on with their ducks maybe if ya'll can get together and talk you can help each other help your ducks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069569/duck-ptsd
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069754/after-the-fox-attack

these are just a few.
 
Last edited:
I feel so sorry for your duck. Not only did she lose her best friend but she saw it happen. I'm sure there is no set time on the grieving process to end but she will gradually adjust in time. If she is sociable to you I would try and hold her and talk to her. Give her treats and try and reassure her that she is safe. Be very careful because whatever killed her sister might come back for her and the other duck. God bless and give her time and encouragement.

Patty
 
Ducks do grieve, and like people, each one is different. Something that has helped some ducks is an unbreakable mirror. It seems to comfort them.

You may also - might sound nuts to you - just want to talk to her, a little each day, and tell her kind things. Seriously, ducks may not know the meaning of the words, but mine respond to me talking to them.

And perhaps that predator is still around, making her nervous.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

K
    • Like
Egg question
Replies
1
Views
501
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia
sjallen78
    • Sad
Injured duck
2 3
Replies
22
Views
1K
HeritageFan
HeritageFan
M
    • Like
Duck eggs - air cells growing at different rates!
2 3
Replies
27
Views
812
My15Ducks
M
JewelBirds
Can a Muscovy Raise Other Duck Breeds?
Replies
5
Views
178
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia
Lauren84
My duck has a small raised bump on his beak
Replies
4
Views
857
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom