Raising first duckling & have questions

Date sort Score sort
sydneyfugate

sydneyfugate

Hatching
Apr 29, 2016
9
0
7
I have a Muscovy duckling who is a single child (yes I know I should have another duckling) but I am with him all hours of the day & if I'm busy someone else is with him. But I feel terrible leaving him alone at night. Is it a good idea to let him sleep with me??
 
sydneyfugate said:
I have a Muscovy duckling who is a single child (yes I know I should have another duckling) but I am with him all hours of the day & if I'm busy someone else is with him. But I feel terrible leaving him alone at night. Is it a good idea to let him sleep with me??
Click to expand...

I think there's a risk you could roll over and crush him. That has happened. So see if you can make a small night pen near where you sleep (as long as it's safe). Add an unbreakable mirror and a washable stuffed toy with nothing that the duckling could pull off and swallow.
 
Amiga said:
I think there's a risk you could roll over and crush him.  That has happened.  So see if you can make a small night pen near where you sleep (as long as it's safe).  Add an unbreakable mirror and a washable stuffed toy with nothing that the duckling could pull off and swallow.
Click to expand...
he is very much attached to me & freaks out if he can't see me. I have a stuffed animal in his pin for him but I just feel so bad for leaving him. I don't want to break trust with him
 
It is extremely stressful for ducklings to be alone. They are social and need to live in groups. You will have a neurotic duck in no time that will end up too noisy, forcing you to either get a duck companion or rehome the duck to live with other ducks. If it does quiet down, that is a sign of depression and that will shorten the duck's lifespan unnecessarily. Right now it is depending on you for companionship and that is not healthy for the duck.
 
I agree getting him a companion will be good for the little one ( it will probably double the noise if they have both imprinted on you) but it will give him something that stays a constant throughout the day.
 
Last edited:
I will say that there are a few exceptional relationships with a single duck and human. Those are exceptional, with the personalities and circumstances that make it work.
 
I could not imagine 1 duckling but would love the experience. I have a herd lol and they all imprinted on me. I would, if I were you place the duckling in a basket or such so that it's not in your bed but with you closley .
My ducks are now in the pond we have but fly to me the minute I walk outside and say "babies" it's so rewarding to have a flock fly to your feet. Good luck with your feather baby
 
Amiga said:
I will say that there are a few exceptional relationships with a single duck and human.  Those are exceptional, with the personalities and circumstances that make it work.
Click to expand...


I think it has alot to do with a person's time as well. For someone who is disabled or never leaves home, it may be possible to be available 24/7 but most people are not able to dedicate enough time to be sure a single duck is forever by their side, day and night. Also, it may be the person's choice but a duck prefers to be with another duck. Orphaned monkeys will bond with wire mothers but that is no reason to separate them from other monkeys. I make sure our ducklings are sold in groups of four or more to prevent one from ever being alone.

I am sorry if I sound harsh. I have seen several threads where people end up with lone ducklings and it makes me sad for the poor ducks. I don't think people realize how traumatic it is for the lone duck, especially a baby. Their crying is heartbreaking when they are separated temporarily, I can not imagine putting them through that for life.
 
Duck Drover said:
It is extremely stressful for ducklings to be alone. They are social and need to live in groups. You will have a neurotic duck in no time that will end up too noisy, forcing you to either get a duck companion or rehome the duck to live with other ducks. If it does quiet down, that is a sign of depression and that will shorten the duck's lifespan unnecessarily. Right now it is depending on you for companionship and that is not healthy for the duck.
Click to expand...
I am fully aware of this but I'm with him almost all the time & if I'm busy he is with my mom or sister. He is never alone during the day or even late at night. I spend SO much time with him that I think he will be just fine. At night I put him in his bed & give him a stuffed animal so he had something to cuddle with
 

Similar threads

1DuckMore
    • Love
Help with Duckling ID, Please.
Replies
5
Views
566
Knobby
Knobby
G
    • Like
Anyone raising ducklings for someone
Replies
2
Views
334
GaraP21
G
NewJourney
    • Like
3 week old ducklings introduced to adult flock, drake tried to "breed" with them
Replies
4
Views
796
NewJourney
NewJourney
OneEggToRuleThemAll
    • Like
My ducklings will be going outside soon (Florida)--when can I add additional adult ducks?
Replies
5
Views
1K
OneEggToRuleThemAll
OneEggToRuleThemAll
H
Duck hatched with eyes closed! They are still closed
Replies
9
Views
458
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom