- Nov 23, 2011
- 6
- 0
- 7
We have (or should I say Had) two pekin ducks which we have raised since ducklings almost six years ago. Poop 'n Fifi were inseparable since birth. Poop is a drake and Fifi a duck. Last Sunday, Fifi was not feeling well being lethargic, not eating, although she did finish her share of tomatoes and greens they have every evening. By Monday morning she did not want to get up. She was sitting by the water bowl inside of the house we have for them. By Monday afternoon, I was scouring the internet for information on how to help her, when my husband came home from work, checked on her and said she had passed away. Poop was sitting with her. Since Fifi has been gone, Poop is one sad duck. The first morning, he walked the yard calling and looking for her. Now that he cannot find her, he is depressed and simply heartbroken. He is not eating his pellets, although he does eat his tomatoes and greens. I have put electrolyte/vitamin powder in his drinking water and have added to his greens. He sits next to the fencing which is the play yard for our bunnies (Yes we have 10 buns). One bunny sits next to him on the other side of the fence with him when Poop is there. It is heartbreaking to see him so sad. I do not believe he will suvive let alone thrive if we don't do something. We all miss Fifi.
My question for all of the duck owner/lovers out there is this. Should I introduce a duck (if I can find one) to give him the companionship he so obviously needs? I would hate to rehome him into an established flock not knowing if he would be treated well or if he would be the bottom of the pecking order. We do not want to rid ourselves of him, because we love our ducks, but we want him to be happy. If we do bring a female in (and likely a second one later) do we keep them separated by fencing inside their home until they are introduced? Their area is a 14 x 14 barn (insulated with lights and heat)with the floor space to the ducks and bunny condos built off the floor on each side for the buns. The ducks are allowed to free range the yard during the day, but shut inside their house at night and when it is too cold or inclement during the day.
We live on an Island and we do not have easy access to other duck owners, although there is one on the Island that I will be talking with today. In hindsight, had I known, I would have introduced a second duck earlier so the loss of one would not have been so traumatic. Unfortunately for us, we do not have easy access to a vetrinarian (he doesn't do ducks), let alone an Avian Vet, so when things go south with our animals, (and it happens quickly), it is more difficult to deal with. Any and all advice would be welcome to this sad household.
My question for all of the duck owner/lovers out there is this. Should I introduce a duck (if I can find one) to give him the companionship he so obviously needs? I would hate to rehome him into an established flock not knowing if he would be treated well or if he would be the bottom of the pecking order. We do not want to rid ourselves of him, because we love our ducks, but we want him to be happy. If we do bring a female in (and likely a second one later) do we keep them separated by fencing inside their home until they are introduced? Their area is a 14 x 14 barn (insulated with lights and heat)with the floor space to the ducks and bunny condos built off the floor on each side for the buns. The ducks are allowed to free range the yard during the day, but shut inside their house at night and when it is too cold or inclement during the day.
We live on an Island and we do not have easy access to other duck owners, although there is one on the Island that I will be talking with today. In hindsight, had I known, I would have introduced a second duck earlier so the loss of one would not have been so traumatic. Unfortunately for us, we do not have easy access to a vetrinarian (he doesn't do ducks), let alone an Avian Vet, so when things go south with our animals, (and it happens quickly), it is more difficult to deal with. Any and all advice would be welcome to this sad household.
