Grieving duck

[DeepaMauritius]

hello all, I'm new to ducks - we bought a farm-style house nearly four months ago and it came with six ducks and a dozen chicks so we've been learning to take care of them which has been pretty easy so far. But three days ago, a cyclone hit our island and fences were destroyed and the neighbor's dogs managed to get in and attack our birds. The chicks managed to save themselves but all our ducks were attacked; they took two with them (the neighbor called the next day when he found our dead babies); the dogs left us with three badly mangled ducks, it was so bad we had to put them down, it broke our hearts but we managed to save the last one. We're treating him with betadine and honey (thanks to this forum!) but he seems utterly depressed and desperately sad. He just sticks to the pond, goes on about once a day, refuses to eat and won't go anywhere near the gang used to hang out. I guess my question is; will he heal emotionally with time? We want to get more ducks so he doesn't feel lonely but worry he won't fit in. He's been with his comrades since they were j

 

[DeepaMauritius]

hello all, I'm new to ducks - we bought a farm-style house nearly four months ago and it came with six ducks and a dozen chicks so we've been learning to take care of them which has been pretty easy so far. But three days ago, a cyclone hit our island and fences were destroyed and the neighbor's dogs managed to get in and attack our birds. The chicks managed to save themselves but all our ducks were attacked; they took two with them (the neighbor called the next day when he found our dead babies); the dogs left us with three badly mangled ducks, it was so bad we had to put them down, it broke our hearts but we managed to save the last one. We're treating him with betadine and honey (thanks to this forum!) but he seems utterly depressed and desperately sad. He just sticks to the pond, goes on about once a day, refuses to eat and won't go anywhere near the gang used to hang out. I guess my question is; will he heal emotionally with time? We want to get more ducks so he doesn't feel lonely but worry he won't fit in. He's been with his comrades since they were j

Just one day old. How many ducklings do you reckon we should get? Ours is now about a year old; will the age difference be a problem? We feel so powerless to help. Your advice will be much appreciated, thank you

 

[chickens really]

You can't put the Ducklings in with him..He will kill them. Have a look no touch pen till the Ducklings are Feathered and then it should all workout..Hopefully the new ones are Hens or you will have fighting Drakes over any Hens your getting..

 

[DeepaMauritius]

So the new ones should be about 6 weeks old, is that right? Thanks for that, I didn't know...

 

[chickens really]

So the new ones should be about 6 weeks old, is that right? Thanks for that, I didn't know...

Yes...You can always try as you supervise them at about 3 weeks old..

 

[DeepaMauritius]

Thank you

 

[chickens really]

Thank you

Anytime...