Help needed - Single Duckling

[BlindLemonChicken]

Feather duster to snuggle with? The duck, not you lol

 

[alwaystj9]

Enough tequila might make the feather duster attractive enough...

No ideas about the duckie, I'd probably hunt it another home, don't they imprint on people? I confess to only bad duck experiences and that many years ago. Very cute with the kitten, though! Need a pic!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I have terrible luck incubing ducks, but this is beyond all reasonable expectations.

The two ducks on a clutch in the second hen house/goat shed on the hay bale? Apparently, there was a bad egg. So they pushed 9 eggs out of the nest... Still leaves easy two dozen.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

When I have singles, I make washcloth bundles for them to cuddle with. They still prefer being interacted with and talk nonstop, but the bundles at least give it something

 

[U_Stormcrow]

When I have singles, I make washcloth bundles for them to cuddle with. They still prefer being interacted with and talk nonstop, but the bundles at least give it something

TY, that's helpful.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Having dealt with a solo duckling not that long ago, x2 on the posts by @Aunt Angus and @JacinLarkwell.

Obviously, will be very important to ensure the duckling stays warm and can't get stuck someplace away from the heat - I prefer to brood in a climate-controlled area to minimize the risk, esp. if temps are low outside. Lots of interaction, cuddly material, a mirror, and soft music may also help. After a week or so, the duckling should (hopefully) adjust.

My solo duckling turned out to be a handsome Runner drake who integrated into the main flock. He would always spend a little extra time around me, though, even when the rest of the ducks ventured off after breakfast to attend to their duck business.

Best of luck.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Dammit. Now I want a margarita, and it's only 7am here.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere

 

[U_Stormcrow]

It's 5 o'clock somewhere

and if you are retired (or "gainfully unemployed"), its ALWAYS the weekend!

 

[Aunt Angus]

and if you are retired (or "gainfully unemployed"), its ALWAYS the weekend!

Sooooo looking forward to that! But I'm a teacher. They rather frown on us coming to work intoxicated.

 

[AgnesGray]

I've always used feed store chicks to buddy up with singletons. If you buy a few boys or meaties, they will be gone before winter really sets in too hard. If pullets, could you resell them as started pullets in a few months?

How far out are your broody hens' eggs from hatching? If near, can you filch a few eggs away from that nest and hatch them inside to buddy up with singleton within a few days to a week? I had one hatch in a staggered hatch last April. She had chicks coming and going in her brooder until a few more ducks were ready to hatch. She was a little bigger, but much happier with them than with me trying to entertain her and the size difference was not an issue for the amount of age difference. As an adult, she randomly jumps in my lap for a minute before running back with the flock and has never been as "duck" as the others.

If you add the washcloth and feather duster, I'd also play some duck videos from youtube in the background. I think the thing mine hated most was the silence when no one was around.