Depressed Duck

[Onebeautflday]

we have two separate flocks of ducks. My first flock started with 6 ducks. We took 12 eggs from them and placed under a broody chicken. 11 hatched and healthy. My adult flock sleeps inside at night with the chickens they were raised with. The young flock stays on our large pond island. So anyway... we recently lost one of our adult duck females (they have one drake). We just found her in the run dead. No blood, feathers removed, nothing! One of the other adult females seems to be extremely depressed. She just sits by the fence as if waiting for her BFF to come home. She won’t follow her flock around the yard either. I’m scared she will die of a broken heart. Is that possible? We lost one to a river otter months ago (took the head right off through the fence) and the flock recovered quickly (just took some time for them to go in that area). Is there anything I can do for her?? She eats and drinks then just stands by the fence . I know it’s breaking my heart. Even our pit bull was depressed. I think he witnessed what may have happened. He is very protective of all our foul. He was in a separate yard right next to where we found her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and a blessing . Thank you!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Sorry for your loss!
When my drake Donald went missing in broad daylight (maybe a Coyote) my four other ducks refused to go out of their house for two days, then slowly got over it. Ducks can grieve and it takes time for them to get over the death of a friend, but in the end they will be happy again. Spending some time with them and feeding some treats greatly helps.
Good luck!

 

[Onebeautflday]

Thank you! It’s such a mystery how she died. One minute she is foraging and the next minute lying lifeless. Will hold on to believing this female will get over it. Just sad to watch.

 

[sourland]

It's a stretch, but maybe if it was a predator it is still in the area and she is aware of that fact and chooses to stay where she feels safe.