Duck not feeling safe

[AnkaRikard]

The short story is that one of my two female ducks got taken by a fox in bright daylight before me. I've since brought a new duck, drake this time. But the problem is she goes on a rampage whenever I am not close to her and quacks like she is in big distress. I cannot even leave her in my outside cage since she screams every second from morning to night. Every time I am around her she quiets down as I suppose she feels some safety. But I can't be around her all the time and most importantly I want her to feel safe without me. What can I do to help her? Should I add more ducks or what would make her feel more calm? I just want her to feel at ease. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Vixen with Chickens]

You need another female duck or two, they don't do well alone. For her you are the only other flock mate.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The short story is that one of my two female ducks got taken by a fox in bright daylight before me. I've since brought a new duck, drake this time. But the problem is she goes on a rampage whenever I am not close to her and quacks like she is in big distress. I cannot even leave her in my outside cage since she screams every second from morning to night. Every time I am around her she quiets down as I suppose she feels some safety. But I can't be around her all the time and most importantly I want her to feel safe without me. What can I do to help her? Should I add more ducks or what would make her feel more calm? I just want her to feel at ease. Any advice is appreciated.

How old is your duck? so you have one female and a new drake?

 

[AnkaRikard]

How old is your duck? so you have one female and a new drake?

She is 3 years old and yes at the moment I only have 1 female and 1 drake. She doesn't seem very interested in him. She doesn't mind him but at the same time, I feel like she doesn't "acknowledge" him if that makes sense. She had lived all her life with the duck that had been taken and they were a lot closer.

 

[AnkaRikard]

You need another female duck or two, they don't do well alone. For her you are the only other flock mate.

So the 1 Drake I got is not enough? She does not seem very interested in him, I wanted to get another female but where I live it's rather hard to find females for sale. If it is possible would another pair of ducks(1drake+female) help her feel better?

 

[Vixen with Chickens]

So the 1 Drake I got is not enough? She does not seem very interested in him, I wanted to get another female but where I live it's rather hard to find females for sale. If it is possible would another pair of ducks(1drake+female) help her feel better?

No she would feel worse with another drake, one drake to one hen is already too much for the hen. Its 1 drake to 3-4 hens. Drakes are sex maniacs and that does not make the hen feel happy.

 

[BelovedBirds]

No she would feel worse with another drake, one drake to one hen is already too much for the hen. Its 1 drake to 3-4 hens. Drakes are sex maniacs and that does not make the hen feel happy.

Not to mention it can be very dangerous for the hen

 

[AnkaRikard]

No she would feel worse with another drake, one drake to one hen is already too much for the hen. Its 1 drake to 3-4 hens. Drakes are sex maniacs and that does not make the hen feel happy.

I should have specified they are call ducks and to my understanding, they usually live in pairs. I agree more females are good but the Drake I've brought is not a "sex maniac" he hasn't engaged with her once since arrival and doesn't seem to have the confidence to "approach" her. I appreciate your concern but her distress is not about the male as this started after her only friend got taken by the fox. Do you think another female would make her feel more at ease and safe? (not regarding sex but in general)

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd try and find another female. Sounds to me like you are her security right now. Which may change as she gets used to the drake. It can be very hard on them to lose a friend they grew up with.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I should have specified they are call ducks and to my understanding, they usually live in pairs. I agree more females are good but the Drake I've brought is not a "sex maniac" he hasn't engaged with her once since arrival and doesn't seem to have the confidence to "approach" her. I appreciate your concern but her distress is not about the male as this started after her only friend got taken by the fox. Do you think another female would make her feel more at ease and safe? (not regarding sex but in general)

That definitely changes things
The ratios we often bring up on here are aimed at larger breeds like pekins.
You can definitely get away with a slightly off ratio for calls, if the drake is a good boy like you're saying yours is.

I'd honestly still reccomend trying to find another hen though. It still makes the ratio safer, and perhaps she'll feel safer in numbers.
Another thing to consider, I often hear 3 ducks is better than two, because if god forbid you ever lost another, or one was under the weather and had to be separated, you wouldn't be in this predicament again with a lone duck. Of course life is unpredictable, but I think its a little bit of a safety net.

I'm so sorry, to both you and her, for the duck you lost.