Hemmie passed away this morning

[Miss Lydia]

We’re here for you

 

[Saigey]

We’re here for you

Thank you so much! Downey chased Jackie out of "his" yard this morning, but only off the little area he likes to stay on, and he didn't pursue her to attack her, so that's good. He played some in the bath and outside, he's just not eating his food. We got him to eat some mealworms, oats, and lettuce, and he's drinking lots of water, so hopefully he'll be okay. He's been very snuggly and not snippy at all. I think he knew something wasn't right with Hemmie and was in high alert mode for awhile.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They know more than us about things like this. Hopefully Downey will allow Jackie into his life soon. It’s a big change for you both.

 

[Saigey]

I'm so sorry for you. Losing a duck is a real heartbreaker. I still get so sad when I think about Daisy and it's been 2 years! I think @Miss Lydia is right about getting that little wood duck with Downey asap. They will most likely become very good friends.

In the past year, I've had to rehome 3 drakes and they all went to be companions with lone ducks whose partner had died. In all 3 cases, it worked out perfectly. They all took to each other right away with no drama. The lonely duck was so glad to have a friend that they didn't care that my ducks were runners and they were not. Like peas in a pod before you know it. My little chocolate runner Patches went to live with a big ole' Pekin girl and it was love at first sight!

Thank you so much. That makes me hopeful. These two would be quite the odd couple, that's for sure. He's been watching her very curiously, so I think that's a good thing.

 

[Saigey]

They know more than us about things like this. Hopefully Downey will allow Jackie into his life soon. It’s a big change for you both.

It definitely is. He's been incredibly snuggly and sweet, and has started playing some with his toys in the bath and in the pool. He's been eating mealworms, lettuce, oats,
bits of apple , and peas, but he won't touch his food. He did a lot of foraging yesterday and ate a bunch of yummy bugs, so hopefully he's getting enough protein!

 

[Miss Lydia]

About all you can do is provide them and hope he begins soon. Has he always ate them good before losing Hemmie? I know my birds would live on dry dog food and meal worms if it was up to them. They have to eat most of their daily feed before mine get any snacks.

 

[Saigey]

He's always been a good eater. I put some of the starter food out to see if he'd be interested, but nothing so far. He will still murder some romaine lettuce, but that's the only thing he's really been excited about eating.

 

[Saigey]

Downey ate a good bit of his food last night for the first time! He's still sad sometimes, but he's been playing again and has been very cuddly.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's good news, how is he towards you little wood duck any better?

 

[Saigey]

That's good news, how is he towards you little wood duck any better?

He has been a little bit better! The only problem now is that he's still got mating hormones going on and I'm pretty sure he wants to make her a girlfriend, and she's still too small for him to make her into a surfboard. He actually jumped ON TOP of her indoor enclosure last night.