Hello -- In need of some opinions .....

[duckyday4]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the group but, I don't feel new because I have read a lot of information on this website while raising my two Pekins, Ricky and Lucy. Sadly, a hawk got my Lucy yesterday and killed her. I am so heartbroken over this and I know Ricky is as well. I only had the two ducks. The hawk that got Lucy wouldn't leave a tree in my yard for hours (4 to be exact) so, I brought Ricky inside. I have a large dog pen, I put wood shavings in there and a stuffed animal (gotta get a mirror). I let him out in certain parts of the house during the day and we go outside a few times a day so he can eat grass, bugs, etc. I know ducks are social and I understand they need a mate - without one they can become very lonely and actually die of loneliness. While I believe Ricky is bonded to me, I am not sure if I should keep him or give him to a farm where he could be with other ducks. When Ricky and Lucy were ducklings, I found myself in a sad situation (nothing to do with ducks - life situation). I found caring for them helped me cope and as a result, I spent a lot of time with them. This is why I think they bonded to me but even still, I am not a duck. Also, right now I am home but I go to college and when the semester starts again, I am not going to be here for half of the day, three days a week. I cannot do outside ducks anymore. I have cried myself sick over Lucy. When I found her, the hawk was still "with" her -- I had to get him away - she was a mess - it was just to traumatic. Anyway, I find that when I leave the room, Ricky is quacking for me but the bottom line is, is I am not a duck. I want to do what's best for him. So my question is, in everyone's experience raising ducks, do you think Ricky would be better off on a farm with other ducks? Or, to stay with me without a mate? Or, to stay with me with a new mate? If I did the later, they would be inside pets and I would order duck harnesses/diapers and they would be inside pets. What is your gut feeling on what I should do for him? Thank you Jennifer (duckyday4)

 

[pattyhen]

I'm so sorry for the loss of Lucy it must have been very tramatic for you.

If you get a mirror for Ricky it would help him a lot. My opinion would be to build a secure pen for Ricky with the netting across the top so he would be safe. Another duck his size would help him too. I think the two of you need each other but whatever you decide it's up to you. Let us know how you are doing and god bless. Welcome to byc and we are here for you.

 

[duckyday4]

thank you for replying pattyhen i love the little hug and kiss emoticon! i will think about what you said. thanks again.

 

[pattyhen]

Your very welcome.

The emicons are at the top of your reply box it has a little smiley face and you click on that and click on the emicon you want to insert.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Very sorry for your loss I know how that is. But if you keep Ricky, you MUST get another duck. Ducks need another duck. It is ok if you have only 2 males. But if you cannot keep Ricky and another outside you could buy "Ducky diapers" and keep them inside, although it does get messy. Btw, love the names, I have 4 ducks that tend to hang out only with each other and not with the rest of the flock so I named them Sam, Freddie, Gibby and Carly

 

[duckyday4]

thanks AxolotILove. I agree, he does need another duck to be with. I've been watching his body language. He continues to go in the yard and quack for Lucy. He walks to all the places they used to sit and quacks. Then he stands and looks around (I believe waiting for her to come out of a bush or whatever). I did show him her body before I had her cremated but maybe he doesn't fully understand. Also, he wants to mate because he keeps trying to crawl up my leg and back (if I am sitting on floor) so, I realize he needs a mate. I love your names too! iCarly was one of my favorite show to watch with my kids so, I think that's really cute! Thank you for your reply

 

[Vosh Sahaal]

Just remember you are the single most sturdy thing in his life. You have been there since he was little and still are now. If you have a spare tub you should keep him in at night. Or if you can keep him where he can see you until you can get a new companion.

 

[LeannS]

Now I am worried about a hawk getting my ducks. Does every one with grown ducks need to worry.?Will a hawk attack a duck even though the duck is as big as the hawk? I know we have one hawk and one owe in the area. IF I free range my 6 ducks in a 2 acre pasture, do I need to keep it penned off to be able to use netting ? Or maybe have the ducks out only in mid day ?

 

[rainplace]

Now I am worried about a hawk getting my ducks. Does every one with grown ducks need to worry.?Will a hawk attack a duck even though the duck is as big as the hawk? I know we have one hawk and one owe in the area. IF I free range my 6 ducks in a 2 acre pasture, do I need to keep it penned off to be able to use netting ? Or maybe have the ducks out only in mid day ?

Ducks are susceptible to aerial predators. The first year I had ducks at the farm we lost a few to hawks and eagles. I made the choice that I preferred our waterfowl free ranging than penning them for their protection (though I did lock all ducks up at night). Afterwards I put things in the fields the ducks could get under when they saw something large in the sky, trailers, the farm truck, unused chicken tractors with the side wire removed, basically anything that was low to the ground so the ducks could get under it and a flying predator could not fly under. The ducks spent most of their non foraging time preening and sleeping near or under these safe places and would run to them when something large flew overhead. Also they learned the alert calls of other birds, like crows and geese. After that first year, our losses were minimal.

We found keeping geese with the ducks helped also. Geese seem to be much more focused on the sky than ducks and alert much quicker. It seemed to me that until there was an attack from above, the ducks were oblivious of the danger.

 

[Vosh Sahaal]

Hawks tend to avoid geese. A hawk could easily kill a goose much larger than it, but the risk of injury is too high.