Advice please....

[dunkinmoby]

I raised 2 Pekins, a male and a female. my male was killed yesterday by 2 stray dogs and my female is limping but ok. She is very lost without him as they were together since birth. The female ate a little this morning but I'm not sure what to do now. Do I try to find another male? Find a new home for her where there are other ducks? Or just let her be by herself? There's nothing I can do about fencing her in or making a pen. She has a pond to go in for her safety but it apparently wasn't enough to protect her poor mate. I'm devastated because I truly loved my boy. Please share your experience on this topic.

 

[Carcajou]

Welcome to BYC.

So sorry for your loss. I have had experiences with losing ducks under various circumstances and it is never pleasant. Lots of cover and a pond help mine stay reasonably safe during the day but stray dogs can be a menace no matter how hard we try and protect our flocks.

My suggestion is, if you no provision for fencing or a pen, is to find a new home for her. Ducks need other ducks as they do become attached to one another. They also need a secure place to be especially at night. A pond is not necessarily safe at night. Owls will take ducks off the water at night and raccoons are very adept in shallow water. Mink will also attack ducks. Sorry to be so glum but that is the reality of keeping ducks. Hopefully you will someday be able to provide fencing and a pen and start anew.

Best of luck to you.

 

[TLWR]

Without a fence, you have no way to prevent land predators from getting to the ducks. Pekin don't fly, so if they need to get to a pond for safety, it is a slow trip. Most things that want to eat them are faster on their feet than a duck.

Your remaining Pekin really needs a friend. And without a fence, that means a new home. Otherwise you will constantly be replacing a duck.

 

[dunkinmoby]

Well, we decided to hold on to our sweet girl and brought home a new mate for her. He is adjusting really well and she seems so much more relaxed. I'm hoping that they will stick close to the pond and be safer. Thus far, they are. Fingers crossed...