Lonely Duck

[Usedtowanna]

We had three peking ducks - one male, two female. They got along great and stayed super close together. Yesterday when we woke up, the male and one female were gone. Just gone without a trace. The remaining duck has been calling and calling for them.

We can't seem to solve the mystery of where they disappeared to (I'd think a predator snatching would have left feathers behind?) but for the present, we wonder how we can comfort the remaining girl? Is there anything we can do to help her? I know they don't like to be alone but it's not the time of year you can just go out and buy a duck.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’m so sorry that your other 2 ducks just took off like that. I find that peculiar. Maybe something scared them? Can you post pictures of your duck coop/run?
As to keeping the other duck happy bring her inside and maybe let her spend the night indoors for a couple nights. My chickens love sit on my lap while I’m watching tv.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Were they locked up inside their house? If not most likely a pred either 4 legged or 2 legged.
Try craigs list you maybe able to find some ducks for sale or to give away for your lonely duck but putting them up at night in a safe secure house is the only way to keep this from happening again, And yes preds can snatch and not leave anything behind. No trace.

Very sorry for your loss.

 

[chickencheeper]

Weird, usually there is some trace with predators. Are you free rangeing? They might be off somewhere with the female sitting on eggs. You may be able to order another duck from Metzerfarms.com

 

[Usedtowanna]

I’m so sorry that your other 2 ducks just took off like that. I find that peculiar. Maybe something scared them? Can you post pictures of your duck coop/run?
As to keeping the other duck happy bring her inside and maybe let her spend the night indoors for a couple nights. My chickens love sit on my lap while I’m watching tv.

I know, it's strange. They don't fly, they disappeared after dark, plus, I can't imagine they'd leave the third behind. Yet, what else could it be but a predator, but then, to have two taken and without a trace? We can't figure it out.

The remaining one is skittish even though we held her a ton when they were little. I don't know that she'd let us hold her. We've tried. :/ I wish she liked us the way your chickens like you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She def don't need to be left alone what ever took the 2 will be back foxes, coyotes work together they could easily snatch 2 ducks and run.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Is it possible that a person took them? Does the remaining duck seem extra wary of you?

The remaining one is skittish even though we held her a ton when they were little. I don't know that she'd let us hold her. We've tried. :/ I wish she liked us the way your chickens like you.

Aww thank you. You’re so kind. I currently am chicken less until March so this is how I get my daily dose of chickens.

 

[chickencheeper]

Bring her inside and give her companionship. Ducks are VERY social creatures and since her best friends since birth are gone she is prob pretty lonely and depressed

 

[Usedtowanna]

Weird, usually there is some trace with predators. Are you free rangeing? They might be off somewhere with the female sitting on eggs. You may be able to order another duck from Metzerfarms.com

Yes, they do free range during the day. If they go in their coop at night we lock them up but sometimes they won't go in. They aren't very tame so they are hard to round up.

I'll check out the website suggestion, thanks!

 

[Usedtowanna]

Bring her inside and give her companionship. Ducks are VERY social creatures and since her best friends since birth are gone she is prob pretty lonely and depressed

She is skittish and doesn't like to be held though that is what my heart longs to do. Would it be bad to force ourselves on her, thinking that she'll come to like our attention/affection or would it be better to leave her alone? Oh, that poor darlin'!