Help, new to Ducks

[GDH21]

Hi,

I am new to Ducks and have a question.

1st- I took in a Duckling from a run down farm shop because he didn't sell his Ducks in pairs. So there was only one Duck left and he was going to kill it. I couldn't let that happen so I took him in. Then the vet clinic I used to work at someone dumped a smaller duckling off so they called me. I took it as well. They have become wonderful friends and ducks. They follow you around, snuggle with each other and our dogs, etc.

What I am worried about and what my question is: They are not they same type of duck. Peep Peep was all yellow and is getting white feathers. Paddles is yellow and brown (Not getting his feathers yet) Will they be happy? Is there some drive inside them that will make them want to mate, but have no one to mate with? (I know its natural to have a sex drive, that's not what I am asking) I do not know their sex, however weather they are both male, both female, or one of each the same question stands.

I am worried about their happiness, and I do not want Peep Peep to fly off before Paddles can and Paddles be sad. I can not get any more Ducks. My husband won't allow it. Maybe I should take them to a Duck rescue with some of their own kind and adopt two that belong together as a kind of "swap"? I would miss them, but they deserve to be happy

Or am I worrying about nothing?

Help!

Thanks

 

[Amiga]

GDH21, welcome to the Duck Forum.

There will be things to be concerned about, but right now, I think you and the ducklings are okay.

Without pictures I cannot be sure, but Peep Peep may be a Pekin - they don't really fly so much. And Paddles sounds possibly like a Blue Swedish, in which case, not that different in size from Pekins, another not-so-good flyer.

Raised together, they will probably remain friends.

Things can happen. If one is a drake - a male - and the other a duck - a female, they may mate happily and all is well. You just take the eggs and put them in the frij and they don't hatch.

But some drakes - just because they cannot help it, it is in their hormones - get too aggressive, or want to mate too much. That is tough because then you need to separate them with a fence at least during mating season.

But that is a bridge to cross when we come to it.

Security for both of them is very important. It breaks my heart to read of losses. At the same time, we are all human, and make mistakes. Just do all you can to protect them.

There are Stickies at the top of the Duck Forum - and in that list is one on Raising Ducklings. Take a look at that one.

And please keep asking questions.

If you can, upload a photo or two. We all love to drool over ducklings.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Hi,

I am new to Ducks and have a question.

1st- I took in a Duckling from a run down farm shop because he didn't sell his Ducks in pairs. So there was only one Duck left and he was going to kill it. I couldn't let that happen so I took him in. Then the vet clinic I used to work at someone dumped a smaller duckling off so they called me. I took it as well. They have become wonderful friends and ducks. They follow you around, snuggle with each other and our dogs, etc.

What I am worried about and what my question is: They are not they same type of duck. Peep Peep was all yellow and is getting white feathers. Paddles is yellow and brown (Not getting his feathers yet) Will they be happy? Is there some drive inside them that will make them want to mate, but have no one to mate with? (I know its natural to have a sex drive, that's not what I am asking) I do not know their sex, however weather they are both male, both female, or one of each the same question stands.

I am worried about their happiness, and I do not want Peep Peep to fly off before Paddles can and Paddles be sad. I can not get any more Ducks. My husband won't allow it. Maybe I should take them to a Duck rescue with some of their own kind and adopt two that belong together as a kind of "swap"? I would miss them, but they deserve to be happy

Or am I worrying about nothing?

Help!

Thanks

I don't think you have to worry about them being different breeds. They will be very happy together no matter what. I had 2 drakes (boys) that were different breeds and they lived together and were just happy as friends, girls would be the same way, and if they are a boy and girl they don't have to be the same breed to mate, but you won't have to worry about that for a while. Peep Peep sounds like a Pekin duck (the large white farm duck) and Pekins don't fly.
When you say that Paddles is yellow and brown, what do you mean? Is he mostly brown with yellow on his tummy and head, or is he a yellow color with tan tints? Do you have any pics of them? That would help identify.

Where are you keeping them right now? Do you have a good set up for ducks outside? I am so glad you were able to save these poor babies, hope you enjoy them!!!!

 

[GDH21]

Here is a pic of them when they were smaller. Peep peep has a lot of his white feathers now, but paddles looks the same but bigger. Glad that they will be happy. My husband gets so mad, quote "Why the hell am I so attached to a duck?!" Haha

 

[jandavis]

First of all they won't fly off. Tame ducks, except for Muscovys, can't fly very high or very far. Just a few feet, enough to save their lives if they have to get to a pond to escape a preditor etc. They will mate with any other duck no matter what breed. They will even mate with their own mothers, which seems abhorent to us, but it happens in the duck world. As long as it is the opposite sex, that's good enough for them. I say wait until your ducks are old enough to determine which sex they are. Females quack loudly almost a honk and males have a seductive, quiet whrrrr almost a purr.

 

[GDH21]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad to hear that they can be happy with others than their own breed! And a little weird-ed out that they would mate with their own mothers! haha

I first thought that I would take them to the vet clinic that I used to work at as they have a bunch of chickens, goats, mini pony, etc. when they were full grown, but I fell in love with them and as much as my husband doesn't want to admit it so has he, so we defiantly want to keep them!

While they were younger they stayed in our bathroom in a box at night with a heat lamp and food and water.

Now since they're older (and poop lots more) they stay in a " cage" (if you will) with lots of shavings, hay, food, water, in the shed during the night. During the day they stay in a run with shade, water, food, and a bigger tub of water for Peep Peep to swim and a small shallow one for Paddles to swim.

I am in Mississippi on about 4 acres, so it's pretty warm from day to night right now. When they're both fully grown I will let them free range, but I don't want anything to get them! They're very good little duckies and I open their pen, they follow me out and when I open the gate they just walk right in When I do let them free range I have a small chicken coop that I will re vamp to work for them so at night I can lock them up from danger.

 

[nayeli]

I'm the same, mine free range during the day and go in at night... our property is fully fenced though so there are only hawks to worry about as far as day predators (and perhaps one of our dogs)

 

[jandavis]

You sound like a good "Mom."