Alleviating Fear

[cmcrum]

We have had our ducklings a little over a week (now three weeks old) and have been thrilled with them and their personalities.
Sadly, we lost one today. Now the sweet girl we have left has become totally stressed and fearful. She is calling for her friend, biting and won't come near us.
I am at a loss as to what to do for her, I'm afraid of losing her to stress. Is there anything we can do to regain her trust?

 

[Amy S]

Sorry for your loss. Lots of people believe that getting another duckling (near her age) for a friend. She's lonely.

 

[Lute]

Same thing happened to me and I can honestly say get a mirror. It'll help a little bit, she'll calm down for a bit but be upset again when she realizes it's her reflection. I picked up a plush ducky at TSC (it quacks, I'd like to take the sound thingy out one of these days). It helped some.

What helped more was when I put a newly purchased chick (RIR I named Micro) in with the duckling. The chick really seemed to help the duckling.

Alas, mine was too sick to make it. At least she died in some company. Micro was a good, strong chick, and returned with her flock just fine.

 

[cmcrum]

I'll definitely give the mirror a try. Hopefully that will help until we're able to get a friend for her. (Could this become a whole new problem, I know when we had chickens it was a delicate process introducing someone new). I'm just so worried that her good disposition won't return.

Thanks for the replies. Any other suggestions anyone?