Duck Advice - rehome?

[ethelandfred]

I had two ducks, a male and a female. My female duck passed yesterday and I'm at a crossroads.

I am devastated and my male duck is just out of sorts, I think that makes it worse to be honest.

Another female is out of the question at this point, we had numerous health scares with ours and I'm not sure I could handle loosing another.

My pair had been together for 3 years.

I'm trying to do what's best for my male and wanted some opinions.

A family member who has a farm with other ducks is willing to take him, we are supposed to go see tomorrow.

I want to keep him so badly, but I know he won't be happy alone. He's already lonely and won't let me pick him up which is very odd for him, he usually loves being coddled.

I just want some opinions and has anyone had luck with say, two drakes as pets? I'm not sure if he'd get along only because he's had a female for so long, and also would the move and loss of us be more traumatizing to him? Thanks.

 

[Ren2014]

Ducks are flock animals, they need companionship. It sounds like a farm with other ducks would be a good thing for him. I know it is hard to part with them but you have to do what's best for him. Are you saying you can get another drake but not duck? Drakes have been known to get along when there are no females around. Good luck with your decision

 

[ethelandfred]

Ducks are flock animals, they need companionship. It sounds like a farm with other ducks would be a good thing for him. I know it is hard to part with them but you have to do what's best for him. Are you saying you can get another drake but not duck? Drakes have been known to get along when there are no females around. Good luck with your decision

I haven't tried to get either ducks or drakes so I'm not sure how hard it would be either way, although I see drakes offered more often because of the duck/drake ratio.

I'd rather not have a duck only because we had issues with eggs with ours and I know it's a common female problem.

I think I may check the farm out first to see if I feel comfortable. My family decided that if we do give him up, if they have problems we'd ask for him back and get another drake for him instead. I'm very attatched but I do want what's best for him.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[chickens really]

He would have to be locked up for a period of time at the farm...The resident Drakes will beat him up being he is a Drake they do not know....You could get another Drake...With no Hens they will usually get along fine..They will breed with each other though.....If you get another Drake?...Put it in a look no touch pen till they get along...

 

[ethelandfred]

I'm glad I made the decision to check out the farm, they didn't have any other ducks! They were going to put him in with a pair of geese twice his size!

He also wouldn't get the attention he needed, he's a very spoiled duck and loves being talked to. The minute I saw where he was going I was like "nope!"

Therefore unless something perfect comes up, my family has decided to keep him. I'm on the look out for another drake, I've seen a few postings before for male ducks so I'm hoping my luck holds out and we find him a buddy.

Now that he's alone he's being mischievous and is cashing out barn cats all over the yard.

 

[ethelandfred]

He would have to be locked up for a period of time at the farm...The resident Drakes will beat him up being he is a Drake they do not know....You could get another Drake...With no Hens they will usually get along fine..They will breed with each other though.....If you get another Drake?...Put it in a look no touch pen till they get along...

Thank you for the advice, I'm looking for a male buddy for him.

Any other suggestions? Should I get the same breed/size/age? Does this matter? He's a 3-4 year old Cayuga and his mate was the same age black Swedish.

 

[Debs Flock]

I'm glad I made the decision to check out the farm, they didn't have any other ducks! They were going to put him in with a pair of geese twice his size!

He also wouldn't get the attention he needed, he's a very spoiled duck and loves being talked to. The minute I saw where he was going I was like "nope!"

Therefore unless something perfect comes up, my family has decided to keep him. I'm on the look out for another drake, I've seen a few postings before for male ducks so I'm hoping my luck holds out and we find him a buddy.

Now that he's alone he's being mischievous and is cashing out barn cats all over the yard.

Wow, so glad you were able to check out the farm.

Size is the most important. They need to be on equal footing so to speak. I'm thinking breed and age don't matter much. There are state specific threads here as well as a forum for re-homing. Those would probably be the best places to start. (I can find the links for you if you aren't able to find them.)

The sooner you get him a buddy, the better. Ducks can become quite depressed. Remember that introductions should be gradual. Good luck & please keep us posted. Do you have a photo of your boy? I have one female Cayuga and we love her dearly.

 

[ethelandfred]

Wow, so glad you were able to check out the farm.

Size is the most important. They need to be on equal footing so to speak. I'm thinking breed and age don't matter much. There are state specific threads here as well as a forum for re-homing. Those would probably be the best places to start. (I can find the links for you if you aren't able to find them.)

The sooner you get him a buddy, the better. Ducks can become quite depressed. Remember that introductions should be gradual. Good luck & please keep us posted. Do you have a photo of your boy? I have one female Cayuga and we love her dearly.

Unfortunately I'm from Vermont, I did look at my state thread but it's little and not very busy.

I've been searching Craigslist and put an ad up as well. I also joined a Facebook page for local bird enthusiasts, he should have a friend by next week at the latest.

I saw a promising ad on Craigslist for another male who lost a mate for free but it's a hike. I emailed her with hopes she may meet halfway or so.

We found Fred, my male, wandering down the sidewalk in my grandfathers city and he ended up parking himself on my grandfathers front lawn. He's quite a character.

Someone had obviously ditched him after he had grown. We found out later his family had moved...and then came back a few weeks later wanting him back.

Needless to say Fred ended up coming home with us in the country. He made out well I'd say! I'll post a picture below

 

[Debs Flock]

Unfortunately I'm from Vermont, I did look at my state thread but it's little and not very busy.

I've been searching Craigslist and put an ad up as well. I also joined a Facebook page for local bird enthusiasts, he should have a friend by next week at the latest.

I saw a promising ad on Craigslist for another male who lost a mate for free but it's a hike. I emailed her with hopes she may meet halfway or so.

We found Fred, my male, wandering down the sidewalk in my grandfathers city and he ended up parking himself on my grandfathers front lawn. He's quite a character.

Someone had obviously ditched him after he had grown. We found out later his family had moved...and then came back a few weeks later wanting him back.

Needless to say Fred ended up coming home with us in the country. He made out well I'd say! I'll post a picture below

for the family that dumped Fred. I'm so glad you were able to take him in!

 

[ethelandfred]