New But Need Help

[Amiga]

If he is a he, he won't make much noise.

Ducks are so very social, they must have company 24/7. That's why many of us suggest a buddy or two. But in your situation, well, your situation is not easy. A problem that could occur is you get busted for the duck, the duck must go live with other ducks, but the duck does not know he is a duck. Talk about stress!

He ought not be a big problem with the baby, though I would not leave the two of them near each other without close supervision. Sometimes ducks think that eyebrows are caterpillars and go for them (happened to me twice with my ducklings, but has not happened with adult ducks).

I pray you will be given wisdom to do the most loving thing (which could include moving to a duck friendly place as well as some other option that has not yet occurred to any of us).

 

[PeanutnCashew]

I am in the same boat as you, hiding from the HOA. Mine were supposed to go live on a lake in SC but after we got them for my sister, she spoke with homeowners and only mallards allowed because they fly...so, I have been raising them and fallen in love too, but I will be found out and I have to find the perfect place/owners. It will be hard to give them up.

Poop on shirt issue, sorry, get used to it!

 

[1MrsMagoo]

What about buying him a duck diaper like the lady in Chicago has for her indoor runner ducks? I can't remember the name she posts under, but am sure that somebody here will know who I am talking about.

Or, you could keep him in the house as long as you can, then get one of those dog igloos and put a small "dog pen" in an obscure part of your yard: One not easily seen by the self appointed neighborhood code enforcement folks. You could open the gate in the morning and close him in at night. If anybody asks about where the dog is, just say you guys just can't make up your mind what kind of dog to get: The puggle, or labradoodle....lol.

As to the scent thing. Do you have any washcloths, or hand towels you could live without? You could wear a hand towel around your neck for a couple hours and it should have enough of your scent to satisfy the little guy. Or find a ratty old shirt, wear it then cut it into pieces: He gets a new piece each time the old one gets too much poo on it.

As to the crying thing, I had the same issue with a gosling that became very, very attached to me. I literally had to put him in a box beside my side of the bed and sleep with my hand in there for 4 days until another gosling was born. He still loved me, but could live without all my time after he got his new best buddy.

Otherwise, you'll need to look for another duckling as everyone has said. If the neighborhood ducks freely come and go in your yard already, I have to wonder if the neighbors will even know you have pet ducks?

Lastly, once he is bigger, if you don't want to take him to the sanctuary, but find yourselves unable to keep him, maybe you could find somebody who will take him and give him a good home? Last year I answered an ad on Craigslist for two Pekin hens being evicted from their home by the HOA. We moved them from New Orleans to my house where they have two ponds, several acres to roam on, and 21 duck friends: They are very happy and well cared for here. Also, the man who previously owned them is welcome to come visit with them almost any time he wants. He will email every few weeks and ask about them, so I go take pictures of their daily exploits and send them to him. What I am saying, is that it may be possible to re-home him to the right person and situation and still get to see him. Just something to think about.

Good luck.