Duckling Died/Mom Searching for It

[Ducks81]

Hello, I feel funny posting this question but i want to do what is best for the emotional well being of my duck. Surprisingly my female Indian Runner did a fantastic job with her clutch and hatched 5 baby ducklings. (I have read numerous people write about how terrible they are) The babies are about 4 days old now and she has been doing an amazing job!
Both my chickens and ducks are together in a big run but each have their own coops. What I did for mom & ducklings was close in the duck house so they can stay in there until babies are big enough. Well then I decided to build them a run so that during the day mom and babies would have more space to roam, all while every other chicken and duck can see each other from the hardwire.
it is completely hardwired in and somehow, the babies squeezed there way out. I think possibly form the door I created which was made of a plastic storage container and was the only thing not made of wire. Unfortunately, one duckling got injured and died during there excursion out.
I now have them all locked in the house again except mom is calling for the 5th duckling and I can tell she is looking for it.
what is the best thing to do here...just let it be and let her move on or do I actually show her the dead baby so she knows?? I am not sure and I have read that ducks are extremely emotional & intelligent so I want to do the right thing. Thanks for the help!

 

[EverythingDucks]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Since this happens often with ducks and she will soon understand after a little while.

 

[KaleIAm]

While I've never had a situation like yours I have had 6 ducks and they have been very bonded to each other. I have had 3 pass away from medical issues. The first 2 passed away at the vet and the rest of them never saw their flockmate's body. The 3rd passed away in the barn overnight, so I'm sure the rest of the flock saw it happen.

Everytime we have lost a duck the rest of the flock behaves weirdly, calls for the missing duck, begs for mealworms more, acts clingy to me - and we feel they are mourning. Contrary to what we thought would have happened, the first time they were upset for about 2 weeks, the second time about 3 or 4 weeks and the third time it went on for months - like 4 or 5! The remaining 3 are finally back to normal.

It could be coincidence. And, despite my experience I would probably show her the baby. How else can you tell her what happened?

 

[Weeg]

I think you could go either way. I would probably show her the baby myself, let her be a mom, and I would watch how it goes. We had a mom who all of her babies died in the shell, she then ate the shell and hid the dead baby, so probably a good idea to watch her and make sure if she hides the body, you know where it is so you can dispose of it. Other wise, when you recollecting eggs, you may find a dead duckling body in your egg pile buried. I learned that form experience. Good luck, tell us how it goes!

 

[Ducks81]

While I've never had a situation like yours I have had 6 ducks and they have been very bonded to each other. I have had 3 pass away from medical issues. The first 2 passed away at the vet and the rest of them never saw their flockmate's body. The 3rd passed away in the barn overnight, so I'm sure the rest of the flock saw it happen.

Everytime we have lost a duck the rest of the flock behaves weirdly, calls for the missing duck, begs for mealworms more, acts clingy to me - and we feel they are mourning. Contrary to what we thought would have happened, the first time they were upset for about 2 weeks, the second time about 3 or 4 weeks and the third time it went on for months - like 4 or 5! The remaining 3 are finally back to normal.

It could be coincidence. And, despite my experience I would probably show her the baby. How else can you tell her what happened?

It is so heartbreaking!!!! I tried to show her but she didn’t even go over to it and I think it was just bc she was trying to watch over the others due to being stressed. I had to take it away bc it was getting dark. I didn’t want to leave it decomposing over night with them. I didn’t bury it yet so I will try again in the morning.
i just feel terrible. It’s so sad and I have read elsewhere that they mourn so I’m just trying to do what is best. The only good thing I can think of is that she has the 4 others to occupy her and keep her moving forward.

 

[Weeg]

If she's in a small space, maybe wait until she's nested down with the other ducklings to show her, but don't try to hard to show her if she is making it hard, maybe put it in her nest where she will see it when she comes to bed down/ get food and water. But don't stress your self out carrying around a dead duckling to try and show her, I cant imagine carrying that duckling back and forth from the coop, don't stress yourself out. Good luck! Avery

 

[KaleIAm]

It is so heartbreaking!!!! I tried to show her but she didn’t even go over to it and I think it was just bc she was trying to watch over the others due to being stressed. I had to take it away bc it was getting dark. I didn’t want to leave it decomposing over night with them. I didn’t bury it yet so I will try again in the morning.
i just feel terrible. It’s so sad and I have read elsewhere that they mourn so I’m just trying to do what is best. The only good thing I can think of is that she has the 4 others to occupy her and keep her moving forward.

It's possible she didn't recognize it now that it is not alive. I have had that happen with other pets. They were best friends and slept snuggled together for years. Then one passed away and I tried showing the body help the living pet understand. She ignored the body and sniffed my hands for treats - and behaved normally. I was shocked.

I would try to put the baby very near the nest in the morning when the mom goes to get food. She'll probably notice it when she comes back? Unless it is too hard for you, then just bury it and move forward. Mom duck will be ok.

I know how hard this. You are doing a good job.

 

[Ducks81]

It's possible she didn't recognize it now that it is not alive. I have had that happen with other pets. They were best friends and slept snuggled together for years. Then one passed away and I tried showing the body help the living pet understand. She ignored the body and sniffed my hands for treats - and behaved normally. I was shocked.

I would try to put the baby very near the nest in the morning when the mom goes to get food. She'll probably notice it when she comes back? Unless it is too hard for you, then just bury it and move forward. Mom duck will be ok.

I know how hard this. You are doing a good job.

Thank you!

 

[KaleIAm]

How did it go? Are you doing ok?