Advice for keeping duckling calm separated from mom?

[casportpony]

You could try keeping him with a buddy, that should keep him calmer.

 

[chickens really]

Yes...The Duckling is imprinted to its Mother..It will cry its little heart out for her and she will look for it too...

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I’m probably in the minority, but my ducks and geese are housed together in a yard with 8 ft fence that has a three sided shelter facing away from the wind. I’ll probably put something over the open side come winter if I need to. They all play, eat, drink, and splash all night until I herd them to the movable corral on my field during the day. They’re out for the day, then go back behind the fence at night. My waterfowl won’t likely outgrow this setup anytime soon. I use fresh cut very tall grass as bedding and change it as needed.

I suppose the real question is which is more stressful? Close quarters or separation? I honestly don’t have the answer to that.

We kept them in our fenced backyard for a while, but there really isn't enough space for all of them, so we have moved them to the open area behind our house. We cooped them up for several nights and then we want them to just live in the back space, where there is plenty of shelter and hidey places for them to run to.

I'm honestly unsure which can be more stressful to the duckling. When I first found the wounds today I held him for a while when my mom was getting stuff to treat him with. He peeped almost the whole time, but didn't struggle much. The mother kept calling him for a little while, but by the time I went to put him back, she was down in the creek and didn't seem that freaked out.

You could try keeping him with a buddy, that should keep him calmer.

I may just run a test night and see how he does with a buddy. Perhaps if it's too stressful I can try to get them all in for the night and just deal with it that way. I certainly want the best for my ducks.

 

[casportpony]

I had one with a broken leg that I brought in all alone and it was fine, so try with the buddy.