New Duckling

[KatM41]

A few weeks ago I bought a six week old duckling, brought her home and put her with my Bantam birds. They are a fairly relaxed set of chickens and I figured theyd help Charlie (The new duckling) find her way around the new world. Well that was a fail to say the least. I went in the next morning and they had pecked her poor little beak and she was all sad looking. So off she went into her own bin with her own light.

I've read that Khaki Campbells are skittish. I know ducks need friends. As soon as the coop is finished outside I'm planning on putting them all back together again. I think the dog cage my bantams are being held in has just run out of space for any new flock members, but their outdoor pen will be a good size run. As baby like as the the duck is I'm hoping these guys will get along.

I know Charlie needs buddies, but she has some serious issues. She whines all day. If you go to pay attention to her she freaks out and sprays poo all over the place. She's bananas. We took her outside but there is no way except through catching her with a net will she get out of that pond and she certainly doesn't care to come to you for treats. Where she lived before was outdoors in a huge pen with other animals including ducks, but also chickens and goats and a goose.

Is two weeks just not long enough? I don't want to super bond with her because she's headed outdoors and I've read too many posts of people babying their ducks and the ducks just want to hang themselves when the owner is gone. I also don't want to baby it because, well, it's a duck. Is there anything I can do to teach this duck to chill out? We've held her, "played" with her, tried to hand feed her, pet her, cooed at her, put her out to free range with the other chickens. Nada, nothing makes her life happy. Seriously, the most miserable duck in the world.

 

[CrystaBub]

She definitely needs a friend and soon.... Ducks need other ducks - and preferably one very close to the same age. For now you could put a stuffed animal and mirror in with her - but she will need a duck friend.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Of course she is lonely they really do so much better if they have a buddy or two of their own kind doesn’t necessarily have to be KC but another duckling of same age and size. How terrifying that must have been to be put out with the bantams who most likely looked at her as an intruder not a baby it’s a wonder they didn’t do more serious harm I read s post on here of chickens wounding some Muscovy ducklings to the point of death. Never a good idea to introduce a newbie that way. Give her a mirror so she can see herself it will make her feel secure.also a stuffed animal may help. Make sure to spend time with her not trying to pick up but just chilling out with her. Maybe have some dried meal worms or thawed peas and toss some out to her. Try to get on her level if you can. Poor thing has had a traumatic experience so it’s going to take patience and time and TLC to get a relationship going and she probably wont ever be a lap duck but you can get her to where she enjoys your company having a buddy will help a lot. May I ask why you only brought home one duckling? They really are flock animals and do much better if more than one.

 

[KatM41]

So we took Charlie out with us while we worked on the coop and let her walk around her run. She was pretty calm while she could see me, even didn't mind the big chickens in the other run. She was a bit sad when the big chickens went in their house and started quacking for attention.

Now she's sitting in her pool next to us while we watch our shows and being quiet and calm.

 

[KatM41]

Love the back story - Wow - what a story! Sometimes we all forget to rub 2 brain cells together (I'm going to use that - hysterical)! Where are you? Any chance you'd be willing to put new 'not wild' duck up for adoption to a home with more ducks?

I know we can give the little girl a good home. And from what I've read about ducks, its just mean to move them all over the place. I really just want to make her happy and do what's best for her. I think she could make a life with my little bantams as soon as we can get everyone out doors. And if not I will go out of my way to find her a friend. I think in the mean time I will take her bin around the house with me after I get home so she can see me and hear my voice better. I'll put a mirror in for her but I think a stuffed animal is a bad idea. She's the messiest creature in the world. We aren't evil pretend do gooders we truly care about her and want to do right. So we will be keeping y'alls advice in our pockets and shifting things around.

 

[KatM41]

As an update, Charlie and the Bantams have been moved outdoors. We finally finished the coop. The bantams have somewhat accepted her into their flock though they don't play around her too much, but they do allow cuddling at night when it's bed time. She is much more relaxed, quiet, eating more. I was supposed to pick up a Pekin but it may have to wait until this weekend. But, even if I do, I still have to build a larger coop to accomodate two ducks even if they share space. Just happy that everyone is doing better out doors.

 

[CrystaBub]

Love the back story - Wow - what a story! Sometimes we all forget to rub 2 brain cells together (I'm going to use that - hysterical)! Where are you? Any chance you'd be willing to put new 'not wild' duck up for adoption to a home with more ducks?

 

[KatM41]

No one was forcing the water fowel to hang out. And it died two days later. It was sick.

 

[CrystaBub]

Call a wildlife rehab. It's illegal to have wild water fowl.

The wild one died - the new one is a KC.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Love the back story - Wow - what a story! Sometimes we all forget to rub 2 brain cells together (I'm going to use that - hysterical)! Where are you? Any chance you'd be willing to put new 'not wild' duck up for adoption to a home with more ducks?

Great idea!!