Duck Trauma

[Nasnro]

Hi all, I have a duck acting very strange. She puts her neck in an S shape and moves it back and forward in rapid succession while chattering loudly, she is also very fearfull of anyone. There a couple of reasons why I think this might be happening firstly another one of our ducks and a chicken were killed by a cat, secondly I think she might have hit her head on a rock when we were putting her over a segregation fence. She is now the only duck we have and she is in with five hens. Any ideas to try and help would be much appreciated.

 

[lomine]

She may have an injury or she may just be mourning the lose of her duck friend. Sounds like she is calling out trying to find the other duck. She may have witnessed the attack and was a little traumatized by it too.

Does she seem bonded with the chickens? If not, you might consider getting her a new duck companion.

 

[Nasnro]

Thanks, She tends to be quite close to the chickens at all times she has even moved into their coop. Just waiting to find a duck for sale in my area.

 

[Amiga]

My ducks do that as an expression of emotion - sometimes happy, sometimes irritated.

 

[Nasnro]

Thanks for that information. I'm Hoping to get another duck very soon. I still don't know how to stop her fear of me.

 

[Amiga]

That can take time - spending time near her, reading, singing, resting, offering treats a few feet away from you, sometimes will bring them around.

 

[Nasnro]

Thanks for that, I will try that.