Mourning Duck

[char032]

Hey there, I have an Indian Runner that lost her other half 6 days ago. I was able to find another duck, a Muscovy on the 24th, hoping they will bond. I was wondering how long the process may take or if they will bond. The Indian Runner is quaking horribly and does it for most of the day. She seems really distressed and I am wondering if there is anything else I could do or should be doing. Thanks.

 

[char032]

They are both walking around in the yard. Neither have shown aggression toward each other and both are female. I have noticed the Indian Runner will follow the new duck somewhat today and that is new. It is just the Indian Runner is so loud, and I am afraid the neighbors are going to start a lynch mob soon. I have talked to those in the immediate area, but I guess people who are three blocks away can here her. That was why I was asking if anyone knew about how long they can go on like this, so I can tell people a time frame in hopes they won't lose it.

 

[pattyhen]

I feel so sorry for your duck. Not only did she lose her best friend but she saw it happen. I'm sure there is no set time on the grieving process to end but she will gradually adjust in time. If she is sociable to you I would try and hold her and talk to her. Give her treats and try and reassure her that she is safe. Be very careful because whatever killed her sister might come back for her and the other duck. God bless and give her time and encouragement.

Patty

 

[Amiga]

I am wild about my ducks, just so you know where this is coming from.

Rather than consider reducing contact with her during this time, I would make effort to spend time with both, giving both treats together, so that they associate good, secure feelings with being around each other.

She has been traumatized, and is grieving, and so I generally do unto ducks as I would have others do unto me - in this case, comfort, try to keep her safe, and let her heal on her own time frame. It's been how long since the attack?

And while you may not be aware of the presence of the predator - she very likely is. Listen to that, please.

 

[pattyhen]

I had a little disabled duck that was unable to walk without support I had him in a cage inside he was about a week old. Another duck had hatched out her eggs and I walked by the little house and I heard a peeping noise. There was another egg in the house and it was moving and I heard it peeping. I got it out and it litterally hatched in my hands. The momma duck and the babies were already off the nest and this was a late hatcher. I brought her inside and put her with the disabled duck. They quickly bonded and loved each other. I would take them outside everyday but neither one wanted anything to do with the other ducks. The disabled duck died I think he was around 5 or 6 weeks old. Que Sera was the duck that I hatched in my hands she was left alone. She grieved so badly and I grieved right along with her. I put a mirror in her cage and that helped so much. Before if I wasn't in her sight she would have the loudest quack I have ever heard. I would take Que Sera outside everyday and spend hours trying to get her used to the other ducks. At first she wouldn't leave my ankle but then each day she ventured further and further from me. If I left her outside by herself she would quack so loudly. I would bring her back inside with me and the next day we would go back outside.
Each day she got closer and closer to the other ducks. The momma duck would parade her babies close to where Que Sera was at. I talked to her and tried to reassure her. I can't really remember how long it took I think it was around 2 weeks she left me to go with the flock of ducks. I had tears in my eyes when she joined them and the first night she spent with them I checked on her every two hours. She is the only one that eats out of my hands in the mornings and of course she talks to me when I feed them. She is a full fledged flock member now. She is very special to me, I understood her grieving because I felt it myself. I gave her time and that is what she needed and plenty of love.

Patty
This is a pic of Que Sera and Turbo. We put the boards up so he could balance himself and practice his walking. Que Sera is on the right she quickly out grew him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey there, I have an Indian Runner that lost her other half 6 days ago. I was able to find another duck, a Muscovy on the 24th, hoping they will bond. I was wondering how long the process may take or if they will bond. The Indian Runner is quaking horribly and does it for most of the day. She seems really distressed and I am wondering if there is anything else I could do or should be doing. Thanks.

Have you introduced the 2 yet? I would do it through fencing so they have time to get to know each other. Of course she is stressed it is very hard on them to lose their only flock. whether it's one or more. I think in time they will bond but it isn't always love at first sight so take it slow and easy. and
Welcome to BYC @char032

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are both walking around in the yard. Neither have shown aggression toward each other and both are female. I have noticed the Indian Runner will follow the new duck somewhat today and that is new. It is just the Indian Runner is so loud, and I am afraid the neighbors are going to start a lynch mob soon. I have talked to those in the immediate area, but I guess people who are three blocks away can here her. That was why I was asking if anyone knew about how long they can go on like this, so I can tell people a time frame in hopes they won't lose it.

Did a predator get the other Runner? or did it die from sickness asking because if she witnessed a pred take her mate she maybe reacting to that trauma. That's good she is starting to follow the other ducks around hopefully that will start to calm her down. Sounds like she is freaking out because she is us to having her mate and now that mate is gone. you do put them up at night right. at least that will muffle the noise at night and hopefully all will understand this is a process she is going through and once she bonds with this Muscovy most of her noise will settle down. Was she loud before she lost her mate? how old?

 

[char032]

A predator did get her sister. I do lock them up at night, but the predator came out much earlier then usual. Which being December makes sense to me now, but I was not expecting it. She was born sometime in June, so she is probably close to being 6 months. I am just really surprised about how long this has been going on and can't believe she has not lost her voice yet. She is quiter in the coop and she goes in around 4:30, but even then if she hears us going into the car or opening the door she sounds off which never happened before. People have been generally understanding, but I am starting to worry about the duration.

 

[Miss Lydia]

A predator did get her sister. I do lock them up at night, but the predator came out much earlier then usual. Which being December makes sense to me now, but I was not expecting it. She was born sometime in June, so she is probably close to being 6 months. I am just really surprised about how long this has been going on and can't believe she has not lost her voice yet. She is quiter in the coop and she goes in around 4:30, but even then if she hears us going into the car or opening the door she sounds off which never happened before. People have been generally understanding, but I am starting to worry about the duration.

Hopefully as time goes by maybe not your timing but hers she will settle especially since she now has some company, and hopefully all the neighbors will understand. So she had the trauma of losing her best friend to a pred while she was there and then being alone without her. I hope she'll start to get interested in her new buddy soon. At least you won't have to worry about the Scovy joining in on the noise.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[char032]

I figured it would take time, and I am willing to stick with it. I was just hoping for more concrete information on the topic since I have not gone through this. And the neighbors really are understanding, thank God. I am just really suprised there isn't any information on Duck bonding and what happens when one is lost. Maybe I am not asking the right question, or am looking in the wrong areas. At any rate, I guess I will learn by trial and error. Thanks for the encouragement!