How does grief work with ducks?

[Sussex19]

I've never been away from home. Whenever my family go on holiday I stay behind with them so they've seen me every single day. Even when I'm sick I look after them

I don't really know.
I think they would be more confused than anything else.
My horse gelding was definitely grieving after his girlfriend (a mare, not a person) passed away, even though I don't think he really saw it happen.
But he was more upset then when she just went away for a bit previously.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I don't really know.
I think they would be more confused than anything else.
My horse gelding was definitely grieving after his girlfriend (a mare, not a person) passed away, even though I don't think he really saw it happen.
But he was more upset then when she just went away for a bit previously.

I wonder if he somehow knew
I think the confusion of being left, and losing someone, can feel like grief sometimes

Every time a friend has left me behind, that feels like grieving in a way
Of course it would be different for them. I'd hate for them to think I'd left them, if they're capable of processing such thoughts and emotions.
From all they've shown me, they're very clever and emotional birds

 

[ruthhope]

Honestly I wish some of you lived closer, then I'd know they'd have somewhere good to go if it happened

Where in England are you?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I’m the primary caregiver to my ducks and worry about all this as well
I treat my ducks like royalty and I know finding a home that would spoil them the way I do would be hard to find
Even my vets office has said if they died they would want to come back a duck and live at my place lol
We do go away once a year for 10 days and my daughter comes by to look after them
They know her and the grandkids so they are just fine while I’m gone but as soon as I’m home they coming running ti greet me
I think if I did pass they would be okay if they stayed together at least
But I’m sure they would miss the high life they live

 

[BelovedBirds]

Where in England are you?

South West
I know my family would rehome my girls, but I like to think they'd find a "good" home where they'd be pets and not food.
Thing is I'm so protective of them that I'm not sure many places would be good enough lol

My mum thinks I wrap them up in cotton wool too much, because of how particular I am about predator protection, and supplementing feed etc.
That worries me, when it comes to imagining not being here anymore, the thought of falling into bad care is painful

 

[BelovedBirds]

I’m the primary caregiver to my ducks and worry about all this as well
I treat my ducks like royalty and I know finding a home that would spoil them the way I do would be hard to find
Even my vets office has said if they died they would want to come back a duck and live at my place lol
We do go away once a year for 10 days and my daughter comes by to look after them
They know her and the grandkids so they are just fine while I’m gone but as soon as I’m home they coming running ti greet me
I think if I did pass they would be okay if they stayed together at least
But I’m sure they would miss the high life they live

I've tried to teach my mum how to look after the girls. And I've even done a clever thing (there's a book in my first aid kit which has symptoms and treatments explained simply, for all common issues. Niacin deficiencies, injuries, signs they're egg bound, internal laying, bumble foot. Etc etc.)
But I still worry, even short term.
She's only looked after them for some mornings, a handful of times. I supervise from the window, and sometimes Dougie manages to open the door and go for a wander in the vegetable allotment while her back is turned they never do this with me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've tried to teach my mum how to look after the girls. And I've even done a clever thing (there's a book in my first aid kit which has symptoms and treatments explained simply, for all common issues. Niacin deficiencies, injuries, signs they're egg bound, internal laying, bumble foot. Etc etc.)
But I still worry, even short term.
She's only looked after them for some mornings, a handful of times. I supervise from the window, and sometimes Dougie manages to open the door and go for a wander in the vegetable allotment while her back is turned they never do this with me.

That was funny. it seems your girls know a pushover when they see one and take advantage of your mum. lol

If you have a waterfowl rescue you might go and talk to them about taking in your girls if something happened to you. I have done this with Carolina waterfowl here in the USA.
I also have two really good friends [members here] who will take my birds and me theirs.
It's a sad thought that our beloved pets might not end up being cared for like we care for them.

 

[Canadian Wind]

This is a bit of a morbid topic and now I'm worried about you!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Sorry, that sounded a bit harsh now that I re-read it. It wasn't meant to be! You're just one of my favourite people here so I don't want anything happening to you (OR the quackers!)

 

[BelovedBirds]

Sorry, that sounded a bit harsh now that I re-read it. It wasn't meant to be! You're just one of my favourite people here so I don't want anything happening to you (OR the quackers!)

Wasn't harsh at all! Don't worry it wasn't taken badly or anything, just unsure how to respond is all