- Jul 26, 2014
- 3
- 1
- 9
As the tittle says, I need some advice.
I've read through a few threads but I'd like some direct advice for our situation.
A few weeks ago, my partner caught a coyote raiding a duck nest near his work. Both parents were killed and some eggs were ruined before my partner could chase the predator off. There were 4 eggs left intact and he decided to bring them home. We did as much research as we could, incubated them and crossed our fingers.
Turns out only one egg was viable, the little guy hatched 4 days ago and is doing rather well.
He's in a brooder, its at the right temp, food and water are going well.
So far we've done our best with all the different (often conflicting) information we could get.
The original plan was to release the ducks once they were old enough but now there is only one duck. And my partner has become very attached. Honestly it's no surprise, all our pets have been rescues.
I'm concerned because little Jayne has no other ducks... I've tried to putting a stuffy in with him (an angry bird funny enough) and I'm trying to find a mirror to put in with him as well. He's in an area where he wont be bothered too much but still sees the home traffic. We have a busy household so I can't spend all my time with him. But he's peeping and jumping around a lot and I'm so worried it means he's unhappy... I read somewhere that ducklings that become too lonely will actually suicide? It also looks like other ducks wouldn't except him if we were to give him to some sort of rescue place?
I honestly believe the duckling has imprinted on my partner also, which would likely mean that releasing Jayne may not be an option.
So I wasn't ready to have a pet duck, I'd like to give a try but I just don't know what to do... Are we doing the right things?
I've read through a few threads but I'd like some direct advice for our situation.
A few weeks ago, my partner caught a coyote raiding a duck nest near his work. Both parents were killed and some eggs were ruined before my partner could chase the predator off. There were 4 eggs left intact and he decided to bring them home. We did as much research as we could, incubated them and crossed our fingers.
Turns out only one egg was viable, the little guy hatched 4 days ago and is doing rather well.
He's in a brooder, its at the right temp, food and water are going well.
So far we've done our best with all the different (often conflicting) information we could get.
The original plan was to release the ducks once they were old enough but now there is only one duck. And my partner has become very attached. Honestly it's no surprise, all our pets have been rescues.
I'm concerned because little Jayne has no other ducks... I've tried to putting a stuffy in with him (an angry bird funny enough) and I'm trying to find a mirror to put in with him as well. He's in an area where he wont be bothered too much but still sees the home traffic. We have a busy household so I can't spend all my time with him. But he's peeping and jumping around a lot and I'm so worried it means he's unhappy... I read somewhere that ducklings that become too lonely will actually suicide? It also looks like other ducks wouldn't except him if we were to give him to some sort of rescue place?
I honestly believe the duckling has imprinted on my partner also, which would likely mean that releasing Jayne may not be an option.
So I wasn't ready to have a pet duck, I'd like to give a try but I just don't know what to do... Are we doing the right things?