How to make sure my Muscovy Duckling isn't lonely

[PuddlesMyBabe]

So I'm only young (15) and my Dad got me a duckling, he said we couldn't have more than 1 so now I need help on making sure he/she isn't lonely.

So my duckling is a 15 day old muscovy. We've got a massive as box for him/her, it has a mirror in it with some teddies ( I read that'll help with the loneliness of things).
So I can't take him back because we drove 6 hours for him and I'm wandering if there is any way to make sure he isn't alone while I'm at school?
Because as soon as I get home from school i take him out of his box and let him run free. He falls asleep on me and such.
I let him eat freely and drink freely, the water dish is filled enough so it reaches just under his chest. I got starter duck food. I let him go out into the sun when i'm home, but when I'm at school he stays in the box indoors (because we have other animals in our backyard). Please help, I don't want him to be lonely.

Once he/she is a little older we'll move him into a proper run outside.

 

[Amiga]

The mirror is the best idea I can come up with . . . perhaps others with single ducks can advise.

@Amykins may have had just one for a while.

@PetDuck also has one duck.

When you build a shelter and run for the duck outside, please please please make sure it is predator proof. Predators will come out of nowhere, and they may spend much of the night trying to get into the pen. Make sure it is sturdy, and cannot be broken into from above, below, or the sides. Not trying to scare you - trying to protect your duck.

 

[PuddlesMyBabe]

Yeah that's my plan, once hes around 8 weeks, I'm going to move him outside in a runner that is all under shelter and has thin spaces between the wire so nothing can get in/out unless doors are opened.
It's basically going to be a big chicken run that you can find online.

 

[PetDuck]

Hello! My name is Nicole. I appreciate @amiga tagging me in this post, so maybe I can help you with the situation you're in. It has been over a year since I have been on BYC. My duck is named Quackers, and she will be two years old in June. I got her when I was 12 years old, and I am 14 now, so I understand where you are coming from. I had the same predicament with school. I hatched Quackers on my own, and raised her by my self, and I couldn't have done it without this forum and the wonderful people on it. Having one duck is typically very frowned upon by other people who raise ducks. When I first got Quackers, I had very many people tell me that it was inhumane to only have one duckling. That she would be lonely, depressed, bored, and die young. But take it from me. Raising an only child ducky can be done, if you do it right. My baby is healthy, happy, and downright wonderful. She thinks she is a human, so she fits right in with my family. There's never a dull moment when she's around. I would love to answer any questions you have for me. You can reply on this post, or PM me if you would rather.

Thanks, and have a lovely day,
Nicole

 

[Amiga]

Glad for the encouragement, PetDuck!

 

[Orca5094]

Well, you've done a great job with all you have set up for your duck so far! The mirror is great! All I can suggest is to, of course, spend as much time with him/her as possible when you are home. It's a little sad it has to be alone all day while you're at school, but I understand your predicament and that you have no control over that. So, just do the best you can when you are home and make sure it gets plenty of love and attention. Good luck!

PetDuck sounds like the perfect person for you to get more advice from! ^-^

 

[PuddlesMyBabe]

Thanks all for the help, and PetDuck for giving me encouragement, I just hope Puddles turns out to be happy, at the moment he/she is looking happy, just hope that continues.