Female duck

[DenverDuckmama]

I posted last week asking questions about our lone duck, she is about 9 months old. We lost our Drake last weekend to a predator.

Couple of questions, she is still walking around with her neck tucked in. I have seen her stretch it out but only about 20%.She has NO external signs of being hurt and she is eating, not a lot. She won't swim we put her in the pool and she makes a couple of circles and then exits. Her behavior is very different than before and I am sure she is probably lonely but I am concerned about her neck.

I would like to get her a buddy. She hangs out with our chickens but it just isn't the same. Before the Drake died she was VERY loud. I was surprised because I thought it would be him making noise. Anyway, I do not have any desire to 'raise' ducks so I was thinking about getting another female. If I do am I asking for trouble with the noise. Also I am concerned about getting a Drake because of her neck. They were just beginning to mate and I do not want her to get additional injuries.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you live in a neighborhood or have close neighbors, female ducks can be loud and they may not appreciate the noise. To get another drake it would really be best to also add at least 2 more females so the drake isn't be so hard on just the one female.

As for her neck I am not sure what that can be about unless she does have an injury.

 

[DenverDuckmama]

Do you live in a neighborhood or have close neighbors, female ducks can be loud and they may not appreciate the noise. To get another drake it would really be best to also add at least 2 more females so the drake isn't be so hard on just the one female.

As for her neck I am not sure what that can be about unless she does have an injury.

I did a ton of reading and it really sounds like a strain. but not positive. I am watching closely and actually want to hold off on bringing another one in until we think she is better. I do have one neighbor but they really don't care. I thought about another female so I would not have to worry about fertilized eggs but I am also not interested in a 'flock' Thanks for the advice every bit helps

 

[Verenia]

I have two females and a male. All a little over a year old. The drake is a mallard whose whole family was run over by the car in front of us! He was probably only about a week old. Since I didn't know if he was a male or female and wasn't interested in raising ducks but didn't want him to be alone, I ordered two female chicks, a Cayuga and a Buff. Eventually, Willow (the mallard) got his beautiful coloring and I knew he was a drake. Once they matured, he was a little rough with the girls (Buttercup and Henrietta), but now they're twice as big as him and having none of it. The females are best buds and would be perfectly happy without the drake. He's probably frustrated and switches between taking it out on my ankles and wanting to come inside and be a house duck (where he calms right down and is quite a gentleman). If I were in your situation DenverDuckmama, I would get another female to keep her company. But this is my only experience with ducks, and my ducks have all been together since they were chicks. For what it's worth, my neighbor, who's had chickens, has had to get rid of quite a few rooster over the years because they did so much damage to the hens. Sorry about your drake and I hope your hen recovers soon.

 

[DenverDuckmama]

I have two females and a male. All a little over a year old. The drake is a mallard whose whole family was run over by the car in front of us! He was probably only about a week old. Since I didn't know if he was a male or female and wasn't interested in raising ducks but didn't want him to be alone, I ordered two female chicks, a Cayuga and a Buff. Eventually, Willow (the mallard) got his beautiful coloring and I knew he was a drake. Once they matured, he was a little rough with the girls (Buttercup and Henrietta), but now they're twice as big as him and having none of it. The females are best buds and would be perfectly happy without the drake. He's probably frustrated and switches between taking it out on my ankles and wanting to come inside and be a house duck (where he calms right down and is quite a gentleman). If I were in your situation DenverDuckmama, I would get another female to keep her company. But this is my only experience with ducks, and my ducks have all been together since they were chicks. For what it's worth, my neighbor, who's had chickens, has had to get rid of quite a few rooster over the years because they did so much damage to the hens. Sorry about your drake and I hope your hen recovers soon.

Thanks, I do believe I will get another female and skip the drake. He was more social than her and we are very sad. They were together from the start.

 

[chickens really]

Yes, get her another Hen as a buddy....

 

[Verenia]

Thanks, I do believe I will get another female and skip the drake. He was more social than her and we are very sad. They were together from the start.

They sure are cute. Just watching them walk can put you in a good mood.

 

[gilbert2]

I totally agree with getting another female as a buddy. Aside from raising ducks, who needs drakes? Not me, that's for sure. And just as watching them can put you in a good mood, seeing a drake rape a hen can ruin your mood. Excuse the forceful language, but that 's exactly what it is! Stay with hens.

 

[chickens really]

I totally agree with getting another female as a buddy. Aside from raising ducks, who needs drakes? Not me, that's for sure. And just as watching them can put you in a good mood, seeing a drake rape a hen can ruin your mood. Excuse the forceful language, but that 's exactly what it is! Stay with hens.[/QUOTE

Hens breed Hens just as randy as Drakes...

 

[Abriana]

I am sorry for your loss!