- Oct 16, 2010
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I really didnt want to write this but I think it would help me grieve because the folks on this forum understand how much we can love our ducks. My Muscovy drake was 3 years old. He was my first duck so naturally he was my favorite. He was also my favorite because of his personality. He was hand raised by me as an ''only duck'' so naturally he thought I was his flock and he imprinted on me. He lived inside my house until he was about a month old following me around. When he was old enough to go outside he would wait by the door for me to come outside. He was always extremely happy, his tail wagged nonstop as well as his cheerful hissing and panting. Whenever I was outside he was always within 5 feet of me, where I went he went. I had to start putting him in his pen when I left the yard because he would follow the car down the road. When he was two years old I get two pekin so he could have companionship when I wasnt home; both ducks were supposed to be females. It turned out that one was a male and one was a female and they wanted nothing to do with my Muscovy drake. When the pekins became of mating age the males started to fight. I dont have room in my yard to build separate pens so I had to give the pekins away. Once they were rehomed I contacted a breeder and ordered a female Muscovy duckling. I wanted the female to imprint on the male so I made her brooder inside the males pen where they could watch each other but not touch. Around three months old I put the female in with the male and they were perfectly behaved. Not biting or fighting. I liked the female but she was nowhere near as friendly as the male. The thing about my drake is that he wasnt scared of anything. I had to put him in his pen when I cut the grass so he wouldnt chase the lawnmower. He was also very protective. Whenever I wore a new pair of shoes he would circle my feet and then but them very aggressively. Most of all he liked to chew on things. Rubber was his favorite. He would sit outside and naw away on the car tires. I had to go outside and make sure he didnt follow when a car left my driveway. **GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW**
Yesterday afternoon a family member was leaving the drive way and like I normally do I went outside to make sure that the duck didnt follow the car. I could not find my shoes so I got outside late. when I got outside I saw the car halfway up the drive way and my Muscovy drake laying on his back. When I got over to him he started thrashing and rolling around with blood coming out of him mouth. As soon as I saw him I knew he was going to die because of how he was acting and his injuries. Not wanting him to suffer I made the split second decision to put him out of his misery. The act causes me to much pain to describe. I buried him in a flower garden within the hour. At first I felt anger at the person who ran him over, then guilt because if I would have been outside sooner he would still be alive. Now the female Muscovy has been running around the yard looking for him since then. Needless to say I feel horrible. I dont want the other duck to be alone but I also dont want to get another duck because no duck could replace him so it looks as if I will have to re-home her. I dont want to go outside because it reminds me of him. I dont look out the window because I see his pen and know he wont be using it anymore. It is sad to think that just over 24 hours ago he was alive and happy.
Yesterday afternoon a family member was leaving the drive way and like I normally do I went outside to make sure that the duck didnt follow the car. I could not find my shoes so I got outside late. when I got outside I saw the car halfway up the drive way and my Muscovy drake laying on his back. When I got over to him he started thrashing and rolling around with blood coming out of him mouth. As soon as I saw him I knew he was going to die because of how he was acting and his injuries. Not wanting him to suffer I made the split second decision to put him out of his misery. The act causes me to much pain to describe. I buried him in a flower garden within the hour. At first I felt anger at the person who ran him over, then guilt because if I would have been outside sooner he would still be alive. Now the female Muscovy has been running around the yard looking for him since then. Needless to say I feel horrible. I dont want the other duck to be alone but I also dont want to get another duck because no duck could replace him so it looks as if I will have to re-home her. I dont want to go outside because it reminds me of him. I dont look out the window because I see his pen and know he wont be using it anymore. It is sad to think that just over 24 hours ago he was alive and happy.
