Just One Duck?

[PigTheChicken]

Hi everyone,
Unfortunately my drake past away this morning, we still have our duck luckily but I am just wondering what i should do now. I have heard that ducks can't live alone, I can't go looking for another duck at the moment because of all the rain we have been having so i am hoping that she would cope with being alone? She lives with some other chickens so i'm hoping she would be okay with them for a while. Help would be appreciated.

 

[SolarDuck]

I am very sorry for your loss, it would be best to find another female duck that is a similar size to her to be her friend as soon as you can, spend a lot of time with her in the meantime. A great place to check is the for sale section on your local craigslist if you need to quickly find a friend for her. Get an adult duck as a duckling will take a long time before they will be able to spend time together.

 

[PigTheChicken]

Thank you! He was a really beautiful and gentle drake but that's just what happens. We will start looking for some ducks around hour area. In the meantime we have separated her from the rest of the flock and put a little bantam chicken with her. We don't know how we lost the other duck, I'm scared that she might have some sort of illness which she got from the other duck? I don't know if it's just her nervs but what does it mean when they are uncontrollably shaking their wings. She also wont drink or eat is there anything I could do?

 

[Quatie]

Depending on the age of your duck I would recommend getting two new ones. If your drake died of old age and your duck is older two, then you may have this issue again. I think you will be the best judge of how she is doing. If the chickens are keeping her good company, then it can probably wait a bit. She will definitely be happier with another duck, but finding an older companion at this time of year can be hard and especially females. Drakes that are jerks are very easy to find for sale. Be aware not all drakes will be as wonderful as your last drake.

 

[Quatie]

Thank you! He was a really beautiful and gentle drake but that's just what happens. We will start looking for some ducks around hour area. In the meantime we have separated her from the rest of the flock and put a little bantam chicken with her. We don't know how we lost the other duck, I'm scared that she might have some sort of illness which she got from the other duck? I don't know if it's just her nervs but what does it mean when they are uncontrollably shaking their wings. She also wont drink or eat is there anything I could do?

Sounds like she may be in shock. It could be very traumatic loosing her best friend. I would monitor her weight and get everything for tube feeding. The supplies can be difficult to aquire sometimes, and it is best to have on hand if she continues to not eat.

@Isaac 0 knows a lot about diseases and should be able to help you if there is more going on.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I am sorry for your loss, barring disease, getting some friends is definitely an important step. Where in the world are you at, someone here may be able to help if they are nearby.

 

[PigTheChicken]

Thanks everyone, I have managed to get her to start eating some lettuce and greens so thats a good sign. I recon it might have been from shock as she has stopped shaking, Ill keep watching her but for the moment she looks like she is getting better.

 

[PigTheChicken]

Depending on the age of your duck I would recommend getting two new ones. If your drake died of old age and your duck is older two, then you may have this issue again. I think you will be the best judge of how she is doing. If the chickens are keeping her good company, then it can probably wait a bit. She will definitely be happier with another duck, but finding an older companion at this time of year can be hard and especially females. Drakes that are jerks are very easy to find for sale. Be aware not all drakes will be as wonderful as your last drake.

We got them last year when they were 8 weeks old, so they are only around 1 year of age. We recon it may have been from a snake bit or just something he ate? We will definitely start looking for a new friend for her, at the moment she is happy with my friendly chicken as company.

 

[PigTheChicken]

I am sorry for your loss, barring disease, getting some friends is definitely an important step. Where in the world are you at, someone here may be able to help if they are nearby.

Im in Australia, but it's been raining for weeks and Im flooded in at the moment. She looks like she is getting better, but I know a couple of vets who could help out if she turns around and gets worse.

 

[Quatie]

Thanks everyone, I have managed to get her to start eating some lettuce and greens so thats a good sign. I recon it might have been from shock as she has stopped shaking, Ill keep watching her but for the moment she looks like she is getting better.

You can also try scrambled eggs. They are very good for sick ducks. But not all ducks are crazy about them.

You also may see her take a break from laying as well.

I am glad she is eating and starting to do better.