11 week old mallard now alone

[Felbeth]

We released our two mallard ducks to our lake yesterday. They seemed so happy! The male was 10weeks old and the female was 11weeks. They were able to fly and there is so much foliage around the lake for protection and nourishment. They always stayed together but this morning, the female mallard came back to the house alone, which is an acre walk up the hill. I thought they would be safe. They are fully feathered at this age. There are no other wild mallards or ducks on our lake and now our female is all alone. Any suggestions what to do? Is it possible that the male, which was less friendly, just didn't want to come back up and they separated, but that he is still alive. She is outside honking/crying. Yesterday, I also put two decoy ducks on the lake to attract a flock of ducks for my pair but so far no new ducks. What do I do for my lone female duck? Thanks.

 

[sourland]

I would put her back in her pen, and hopefully the drake will return. He may have flown away, but my gut tells me that he was taken by a predator.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would put her back in her pen, and hopefully the drake will return. He may have flown away, but my gut tells me that he was taken by a predator.

I agree, either from land,air of under water as in snapping turtles. So sorry for your loss, but please don't put her back down there or she'll most likely turn up missing too.

 

[Felbeth]

I do not want to risk losing my May so I wíll not bring her back to the lake, which is unfortunate because of all the positive it has to offer. She's staying close to the house and by her kiddie pool, but she won't stop crying. I will get her another female duck, perhaps a more domesticated breed and they will live in the coop at night. I wonder if I should also get a drake?

 

[Mum]

Sorry for your loss.
You could add a duck and a drake to keep May company; trio's always work well.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Oh I am so very sorry to hear that! Hopefully May will get some company soon. Good luck!

 

[Carcajou]

So sorry about your loss. I lost two of my three Khaki Campbells over the winter and my remaining drake got very lonely as ducks are not solitary animals. I was able to find a couple other lone ducks that were given to me though both were Pekins. I gladly took them so my Flighty would have some duck company - that is important. He now has five new three-month old Khaki females to pal around with. So sorry about your pond situation. Hopefully you can find another duck or two soon to keep May company but you should not get more than one drake if you only keep three or four ducks.

Good luck!

 

[desertdarlene]

Sorry for your loss, it sounds like he was taken by a predator by the way the female is acting. Unfortunately, it is one of the risks of free ranging birds and a lake adds a couple of more risks than the average backyard, especially for young, inexperienced birds.

It might be nice for her to have another couple of females and a new male in the near future.