Lonely Pekin?

[wantbroodychix]

My male pekin was taken by a predator last night, I am kicking myself for being stupid enough to think that they would be safe out of the pen all night. They had done it numerous times but now that poor Howard is gone Daphne is all by herself. How long will she wander around calling for him and running to me when she sees me? I am working on a solution for her loneliness but can't decide between getting her a new companion or bringing her inside to live with us. They both have their positives and their draw backs. Anyone with any input on this would be ever so helpful :-( I don't know how long she's going to be lonely (they grew up together and we're both 5 months old) it breaks my heart to hear her cry out and no one answers but me.

 

[Amiga]

You need to be her best friend now. I would bring her in, keep her as close as possible, and safe. The predator will be back.

An unbreakable mirror may help. She will grieve. We almost lost Romy when Michele died. Longer term, I would get her one or two friends (but not two drakes).

 

[wantbroodychix]

I feel like I should also state that she is currently in the coop with my 15 chickens, but when I've gone out to peek at her she starts calling out as soon as she knows I'm there :-(

 

[Amiga]

Yes, she needs some attention and reassurance, I think.

 

[wantbroodychix]

Then that explains why she is starting to let me pet her more today

 

[wantbroodychix]

The weird thing is, there was zero evidence of any bodily harm to him anywhere. We walked the ditches and through the bean field today. No feathers, no blood, nothing. But he has never left Daphne for anything other than to come to me, so when she showed up running to me this morning and he was no where to be seen, I knew something was wrong. Is there really a risk that she could get so sad that we could lose her?

 

[Amiga]

I don't want to upset you, but some ducks do grieve deeply. I think if you can reassure her that will help.

 

[wantbroodychix]

This makes me sad for her.

 

[Amiga]

I would have a chat with her, maybe keep her closer to me for overnight. Ducks may not understand our words, but so help me, it seems like mine can really understand my heart when I talk with them.

Just as long as she is safe.

 

[wantbroodychix]

If she would stop calling out she would be safer, I worry that her cries are going to draw the predator back more. My husband and I are trying to formulate a plan to bring her inside for the night to see if that helps her at all.