HELP! Duck's new enclosure...

[Duck_feeder]

Plenty of people here keep ducks and chickens together and *most* don't seem to have problems (and some of the problems are the ducks think they are chickens!). I have no personal experience though - just reporting what I've read here....

Good luck with getting Sunny a friend!

 

[pardygwyn]

I imagine the mud factor is part of the reason she doesn't want another. Best let her know that chickens scratch the grass down and make mud even easier to stir! But they will get friendly, I've had mixed flocks before and the only problem I ever had involved an oversexed male pekin. lol

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

So would a chicken be a suitable "friend" for Sunny, or not?

 

[pardygwyn]

I've had good luck that way, yes. Especially with female birds.

 

[Sweetfolly]

If your parents originally let you have two ducks (Sunny and her weak brother), then I don't see the problem with getting another one now.

Ducks are social animals, they're flock animals. I've read, and personally believe, that to be mentally healthy, they need to be in a flock of at least three - although two is better than one. Ducks don't come solo.

I understand that your parents are not evil, they're not intentionally being cruel, but they are being ignorant. By allowing you to have a duck, they too are responsible for ensuring that that the animal is happy and healthy. Ducks can get lonely. They can pine away for company. It can make them sick - they can waste away and die. I don't think your parents understand the gravity of penning a highly social creature like Sunny all alone.

So - now that I'm done ranting

, you should definately try the chicken-companion thing. However, I wouldn't let up on the prospect of getting another duck. I would be persistent. I would drive my parents so insane that they'd let me have another duck just to get some relief.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

The chicken thing is the last resort, once we get to the feed store, I'll try my best to convince my parents to get another duckling. If that doesn't work, I'll have to settle for the chicken.
We're heading out of town next week. So Sunny will have to wait till after that.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Wow.....just wow. I talked with my mom on the phone. Tried to convince her nicely about getting another duckling.
She said she's just a duck, let her be a duck. HAH, how can I do that? She doesn't even know she's a duck! She said you shouldn't care about it. It's ONLY AN ANIMAL.
Seriously? Even my parents? Why does everyone have to be so ignorant. Animals are living things too...she said I should be more focused on chores, school work and poop.
I'm mad....how can I care for this duck properly when my parents won't let me?! My mom even threatened to drop her off at the lake. I feel bad for rescuing those eggs.
My parents loved them when they were ducklings, but only for their cuteness. Now that she's "ugly" everyone in my family could care less about a plain ol' duck's feelings.
Maybe they aren't as smart as us...but they feel pain, and I wish people could understand that. I'm in tears my parents don't care whether I love animals or not.
I'm lost guys......what do I do? I'm only 13......I don't even control my life yet.

 

[priss]

Ohh PetDuckBoy, I'm so sorry you're havin such a sucky time. You must be about ready to scream. It's a shame your parents can't be more sympathetic to what is important to you. I would be proud of a son with such understanding of responsibility and caring. My Grandma caught four teenagers playing football with a hedgehog behind her house and thinks all guys under twenty are psychopaths. Plus Sunny is sooo beautiful, I believe it is very hard to have a duck that is so affectionate which your video shows, she really is, she is just wonderful.
I have no idea how to handle the situation though I'm afraid. I'm not great at advice I'm really not but...well in America you have those adverts about pets not just being for Christmas right? I mean when they said you could get ducks, they entered into a verbal contract. How long did they think Sunny was going to live for, 3 months? Did they not look into it at all and what it would entail? I believe my call ducks may live for 15-20 years. If they weren't smart enough to understand what getting a duck would mean, but said it would be ok then they have to live with it. How frustrating for them to go back on their word now she has bonded to you.
PLUS, IT IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE DUCKS AND STUDY. I AM IN MY FOURTH YEAR OF MY PHD!!!!
I don't know how you can fix this one though. Tell her if you get rid of your duck you'll have to find a new hobby, tell her you hear crystal meth is big on the teen scene at the moment! Or...or buy her a copy of 'A Kestral for a Knave'. Is that a big book in America? In England it's huge, plus it's only short. It's about a school kid with a pet kestral and his mum doesn't understand and kills it and in doing so kills the kids entire reason for being. Being good with animals and forming a bond with them is an incredible thing in a human.
Good luck Duckboy, try not to go nuts. We are thinkin of you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[pardygwyn]

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ROFL I support this suggestion. XD The other one is good, too.

 

[688peterl]

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