Duck is depressed? Help?

[_Thewitch_wthchickens89_]

My year old mallard duck hasn't been eating. I'll see him sneak a bite or two in when the other ducks are eating in the morning, but never again after that. Sadly, all of his siblings died (2) when he was younger, the first when he was just a duckling and the other (maggy) quite recently (december 2018). He was depressed for a few weeks after maggy died then seemed fine for a while. I gave him extra attention and treats during that time. We got five new ducks with the hope to give him company. 4 Pekins and 1 khaki campbell. He is smaller than all of them. The khaki Campbell has been picking on him a bit, but we thought it was just spring fever because it has lessened as summer began. I think he might be feeling left out because the pekins always run him out of the pool and pull on his feathers, as they do with eachother but he is so small it probably doesn't seem like play to him. I forced fed him last night because i hadn't seen him eat for a long time. What should i do?

 

[aart]

How did the other ducks die....might he be ill?

 

[thumper650]

I do separated pool time, my pekins go in first and then my runners. You might try separating him and giving him his own pool time. You’ll probably have to put him in the pool manually.

 

[BullChick]

You added the new ducks all at the same time? That would be an issue in itself. You’re adding a new flock with a singleton.

 

[Duckworth]

Is this an all-male flock?

 

[AustralorpLover1004]

If they all sleep in the same coop, start by maybe giving him his own little area in the coop. I have Rouen ducks and they all used to pick on my runt but they all get along now. If there’s another male in the flock that may also be a problem so maybe switch them out every other night in the area. My momma duck had two babies which the male didn’t like, so he would chase them, but after a while they all figured it out.

 

[_Thewitch_wthchickens89_]

How did the other ducks die....might he be ill?

I suspected that too, although he acts normal and nothing i have noticed is wrong. His siblings died due to predators, we have secured the coop since

 

[_Thewitch_wthchickens89_]

If they all sleep in the same coop, start by maybe giving him his own little area in the coop. I have Rouen ducks and they all used to pick on my runt but they all get along now. If there’s another male in the flock that may also be a problem so maybe switch them out every other night in the area. My momma duck had two babies which the male didn’t like, so he would chase them, but after a while they all figured it out.

Is it okay to put him in a cage? It's padded, and probably 4×3 feet. Is it okay to put another injured female in there with him? To let her heal and to keep him company. She's the only female we have

 

[_Thewitch_wthchickens89_]

Is this an all-male flock?

Yes, only one female and i keep her seperate to prevent her getting hurt by them. (They're rough with eachother)

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

So if I’m reading this right, you have 1 female and 5 males?
Maybe put the female and your mallard in a separate pen/coop. Over the span of a few weeks, add in one male at a time so the can get things situated. Like @BullChick said, you’re teaming up 5 ducks against 1, they need time to adjust.