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Lonely duck :*(

post #1 of 8
4/28/12 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 

Okay, so Long story short, Last spring I bought 6 khaki ducklings, after they got old enough to find out which were males, and which were females I sold all except a pair, and when I sold them I made sure I knew who was pair up with who, and this pair has been paired up since about last June. The female doesnt like being around the other ducks for some reason, and the male would go in the pond every morning, while the female would quack in the lawn until he came out, then they would go across the road and play in a rather large puddle. Which I was never very happy about, I live on a road that has almost no traffic, and most of it is older people anyway. Either way, earlier this week, I walked over to get them, and the male was acting weird. He was walking around and everything, but let me pick him up and carry him back to the coop. The khakis are the most skittish ducks I have. So I carried him back to the coop, the next morning he was dead.

 

         There were no physical damages on his body, and he was walking around completely normal, so I dont think that he got hit by a car, but if he was attacked by something I dont think I would have found him, or the female for that matter. 

Either way, no the female just stands in the lawn, quacking trying to call him to her, and she is completely heart broken, and will not pair off with any of my other ducks. And I cant get another male until I get rid of 2 that I have, that are kind of a-holes, which I think is why she doesnt like being around the other ducks. 

Is there anything I can do? I feel like she is going to die of a heartbreak. Its been almost a week, and she is still looking for him, wondering why he isnt coming. 

 

Does anyone have any pointers?

6 Khaki Campbells, 2 Cayugas, A crested Buff, a black swedish, 4 pekins, 2 Indian trout runner ducklings && waiting for more to hatch (along with welsh harlequins). 10 Americaunas, 3 golden sebrights,1 unknown, 4 dominiques, 4 barred rocks, 1 silkie, and 4 red sex links. Plus a boyfriend that puts up with me and my love for poultry <3
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6 Khaki Campbells, 2 Cayugas, A crested Buff, a black swedish, 4 pekins, 2 Indian trout runner ducklings && waiting for more to hatch (along with welsh harlequins). 10 Americaunas, 3 golden sebrights,1 unknown, 4 dominiques, 4 barred rocks, 1 silkie, and 4 red sex links. Plus a boyfriend that puts up with me and my love for poultry <3
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post #2 of 8
4/28/12 at 9:38am

No pointers;  just feeling sad for your duck!  And, for you!!

 

 

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post #3 of 8
4/28/12 at 9:46am

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for your loss! My heart is breaking for you!

 

Maybe the water was contaminated?
 

3 buff orpingtons: 1 drake 2 ducks, 4 redstar chickens, 1 sassy poodle, 1 parakeet, 1 beta fish, 3 siblings, 2 parents, and 1 Savior I accredit it all to<3

 

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3 buff orpingtons: 1 drake 2 ducks, 4 redstar chickens, 1 sassy poodle, 1 parakeet, 1 beta fish, 3 siblings, 2 parents, and 1 Savior I accredit it all to<3

 

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post #4 of 8
4/28/12 at 9:53am

I'm so sad to hear this story!  sad.png My best advice is just to do whats best for the duck. If i were in this situation maybe i would consider buying another male just for her sake. I understand you cannot get any other ducks but....

And...I used to own four ducks-one male three female. I sold a pair off but was left with two females. They are great together and look out for each other. Maybe you could consider adding another female? It all depends on your duck. Another option is giving her away to someone who owns a larger flock of birds...she could socialize and never be alone. I did this once and it worked...again..it depends on the bird.(although i would think this option through!)  Do you think isolating her with another male would help? I isolated two of my birds and they created a great bond

I hope i helped!

Good luck with the sad duck smile.png - i hope she gets happy soon

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post #5 of 8
4/28/12 at 12:10pm

I feel so bad for your poor duck!!!  hit.gif  I hope you can come up with a solution. 

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post #6 of 8
4/28/12 at 12:32pm

I would get another female and put them somewhere alone together until they bond.  Then introduce them back into a flock.  Sorry about the loss of your drake.
 

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post #7 of 8
4/29/12 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for all of your opinions! 

 

I dont think the water was contaminated, because then she too, would die. 

But I am getting a new chicken/duck coop soon, ( 12 feet by 20 feet) and its going to have two rooms in it, and I will have to build a new outdoor pen, I may consider getting a new female duck, and putting them in together and hope that they bond, or possibly another male. Because right now, I dont have anywhere to put just the two ducks together. I hope it works! I really wish I knew why he died.

6 Khaki Campbells, 2 Cayugas, A crested Buff, a black swedish, 4 pekins, 2 Indian trout runner ducklings && waiting for more to hatch (along with welsh harlequins). 10 Americaunas, 3 golden sebrights,1 unknown, 4 dominiques, 4 barred rocks, 1 silkie, and 4 red sex links. Plus a boyfriend that puts up with me and my love for poultry <3
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6 Khaki Campbells, 2 Cayugas, A crested Buff, a black swedish, 4 pekins, 2 Indian trout runner ducklings && waiting for more to hatch (along with welsh harlequins). 10 Americaunas, 3 golden sebrights,1 unknown, 4 dominiques, 4 barred rocks, 1 silkie, and 4 red sex links. Plus a boyfriend that puts up with me and my love for poultry <3
Reply
post #8 of 8
4/30/12 at 12:34pm

Do you think he ate something toxic? I read these toxins: Aflatoxin poisoning,Botulism,Castor bean poisoning,Rapeseed meal,Insecticides, rodenticides can be particularly harmful to ducks. The death is quick as well. Here's a site you could look at:

http://www.duckhealth.com/duckhlth.html

 

I think this is the  solution to your mystery.

Hope your plan works! And hope i helped!

smile.png

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