Is this cruel?

[yickenscarf23]

I picked up two new chicks the other day and my fiance has been dying to have khaki campbells. I've read that they are very dirty so I figured it was best to start with one. I brought home two chicks and the duck and they get along great and snuggle in a little pile but recently I've been letting the duck swim in the sink and I feel terrible that he/she is all alone.

Is it cruel for it to be the only duck in the flock? I really don't mind picking up another but I wanted to ease into it in case they were the management nightmare most articles make them out to be. Maybe I'm assigning human feelings to a duck

 

[Emruston.28]

I had ducks last year and we started out with 2 and ended up with 7. All of mine had other ducks to grow up with but the last one we got. we had got chicks and raised the one duck along with the chickens... when it got older and ready to go outside we put it in the coop with the chickens and brought it in at night. when it got old enough to go with our other ducks they all picked on it and it didn't really know how to be a duck. It would honestly probably better to raise it with a buddy (as it will be easier on you less chipping and stuff from it at least from what I've seen with mine) everything I've seen they do better with two... I also had a Khaki Campbell I got from tractor supply and he was a little more skittish and nervous so it would probably be better to have 2... I don't know 100% for sure as I didn't own ducks very long(Since we are moving 10hours away and we didn't think it would be good on them) but I thought I would let you know.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Is she a female duck or a drake? With a drake and two hens, it could be a management nightmare, and you should probably get him others (female) of his kind; but I've had ducks spontaneously start hanging out with the chicken flock in the past with no problems whatsoever.

Unless you have a pond for her to hang out on when she's older, she'll probably just hang out with the chickens and he happy doing it. If you do have a pond, she'd really like a splash buddy and someone to hang out with.

Ultimately, ducks do best around water, but to fully enjoy water, she'd need other ducks.

 

[yickenscarf23]

I have no idea she was just straight run. We don't have a pond but I figured a Kiddie pool would suffice. I'm hoping for a girl then

 

[Miss Lydia]

I vote for another duckling friend for her, splashing around in a kiddy pool is more fun if you have a buddy. Playing in mud is more fun if you have a buddy. You can order sexed duckling from hatcheries as few as 2.

 

[chickens really]

Ducks need other Ducks. They are very much in need of the same species ..

 

[Yardmom]

I have a duck that we got with some chicks...so she has imprinted on the chickens. We have other ducks and a pond as well. She still chooses to stay with the chickens.

 

[FlyWheel]

If you use a kiddie pond be aware you will have to change out the water regularly, especially in the summer. But don't throw it away! Put it in your garden instead (need I say why?).

 

[yickenscarf23]

I'll probably get her a buddy this week then. It breaks my heart when she wants to swim but cries for her chickie friends the whole time.

Thank you for the advice

 

[Shadrach]

I picked up two new chicks the other day and my fiance has been dying to have khaki campbells. I've read that they are very dirty so I figured it was best to start with one. I brought home two chicks and the duck and they get along great and snuggle in a little pile but recently I've been letting the duck swim in the sink and I feel terrible that he/she is all alone.

Is it cruel for it to be the only duck in the flock? I really don't mind picking up another but I wanted to ease into it in case they were the management nightmare most articles make them out to be. Maybe I'm assigning human feelings to a duck

Yes it is imo. Ducks are very social creatures, much like chickens.