New ducklings, older Hen

[Sarahannedp]

Hey Everyone!
Just a few days ago, we had a neighbors dog break into our duck coop. He tore apart two (out of four) of our pet ducks. It was terrible. He severely injured the other two. They were taken to our local exotic vet, where we were given antibiotics and we were told that they would be okay eventually.
In the morning, one of them was struggling terribly. He passed away within the hour. This means that after the dog attack, only one duck survived.
Her name is buttercup. I was worried sick that my poor buttercup would be so very lonely. Today, I came home from work to see my boyfriend surprised me with two new ducklings.
Those four initial ducks I loved as my own children. The tragedy that occurred with the neighbors dog is getting handled legally, though the owner has been a REAL jerk about the whole thing. Made it sound like the ducks’ lives didn’t matter.
ANYWAYS.. I need to find out whether or not I can safely and successfully introduce our older, injured hen buttercup to the ducklings. She is still unable to walk. It’s only been four days since the attack. She is very fussy and doesn’t like attention anymore, it seems. My boyfriend is very worried that she is deteriorating. We are doing our best. I just don’t want her to feel so alone. She doesn’t seem to enjoy our company anymore. Any help and advice with this situation is welcomed and appreciated.
I want to help my buttercup so badly.

 

[Sagey_7878]

First I’d like to say I’m very sorry for the deaths of your ducks. I hope you win the legal fight. Unfortunately unless your duck is broody, she will not accept the ducklings and will possibly kill them if you gave them to her now. She needs time to heal and rest, and with 2 ducklings around that won’t be happening. It’d be good if you set up a brooder for the ducklings and in the meanwhile while they grow up, maybe if you can, but a full grown duck for your duck so she is not alone! Good luck! Keep us updated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd set up the brooder close enough she can see them and hear them. maybe just knowing something like her is around would give her a reason to keep going. By the time she is healed and feeling better she will be use to the ducklings and you can start to introduce them to her slowly. Maybe even try every week she is doing better to move their brooder closer so she can get a better view of them.

So sorry for your losses.

 

[DucksOhio]

Hey Everyone!
Just a few days ago, we had a neighbors dog break into our duck coop. He tore apart two (out of four) of our pet ducks. It was terrible. He severely injured the other two. They were taken to our local exotic vet, where we were given antibiotics and we were told that they would be okay eventually.
In the morning, one of them was struggling terribly. He passed away within the hour. This means that after the dog attack, only one duck survived.
Her name is buttercup. I was worried sick that my poor buttercup would be so very lonely. Today, I came home from work to see my boyfriend surprised me with two new ducklings.
Those four initial ducks I loved as my own children. The tragedy that occurred with the neighbors dog is getting handled legally, though the owner has been a REAL jerk about the whole thing. Made it sound like the ducks’ lives didn’t matter.
ANYWAYS.. I need to find out whether or not I can safely and successfully introduce our older, injured hen buttercup to the ducklings. She is still unable to walk. It’s only been four days since the attack. She is very fussy and doesn’t like attention anymore, it seems. My boyfriend is very worried that she is deteriorating. We are doing our best. I just don’t want her to feel so alone. She doesn’t seem to enjoy our company anymore. Any help and advice with this situation is welcomed and appreciated.
I want to help my buttercup so badly.

Oh this makes me so sad and mad at the same time. I’m so sorry for you!

Your neighbor is a jerk.

I agree with Miss Lydia, having a brooder close to your other duck would be a great solution.

 

[Sarahannedp]

I'd set up the brooder close enough she can see them and hear them. maybe just knowing something like her is around would give her a reason to keep going. By the time she is healed and feeling better she will be use to the ducklings and you can start to introduce them to her slowly. Maybe even try every week she is doing better to move their brooder closer so she can get a better view of them.

So sorry for your losses.

I think I am going to try this tonight. She still isn’t walking, so we’re pretty positive she won’t harm them.. I am still worried though. She seems angrier every day. I don’t know what to do. She also is BARELY eating. Does anyone PLEASE have recommendations of what to do for this?! I’ve tried yogurt.. spinach... sliced grapes... she isn’t doing much with any of it. She’ll take bites.. but only after we leave. She is definitely getting louder and stronger, but I’m just worried about her. Idk if that makes sense. It’s just crazy to go from having these loving and affectionate four ducks to losing three of them and having the only one seem to resent me. I wish this wasn’t how things were. Someone please help.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'd set up the brooder close enough she can see them and hear them. maybe just knowing something like her is around would give her a reason to keep going. By the time she is healed and feeling better she will be use to the ducklings and you can start to introduce them to her slowly. Maybe even try every week she is doing better to move their brooder closer so she can get a better view of them.

So sorry for your losses.

Agreed. That is generally how i introduced birds of any age back in the day when i actually did it.

 

[Going Quackers]

I think I am going to try this tonight. She still isn’t walking, so we’re pretty positive she won’t harm them.. I am still worried though. She seems angrier every day. I don’t know what to do. She also is BARELY eating. Does anyone PLEASE have recommendations of what to do for this?! I’ve tried yogurt.. spinach... sliced grapes... she isn’t doing much with any of it. She’ll take bites.. but only after we leave. She is definitely getting louder and stronger, but I’m just worried about her. Idk if that makes sense. It’s just crazy to go from having these loving and affectionate four ducks to losing three of them and having the only one seem to resent me. I wish this wasn’t how things were. Someone please help.

First off. I am sorry, i have dealt with this. One of our neighbors dogs came here and left me for lack of a better description a war zone... dead, injured, dying. It was BAD. Unfortunately, we are friends with the people.. I am still angry as heck years later but there was little i could do about it.

For your bird, i had one of my buff ducks whom i just kept wounds clean, offered food/water and such and did the best i could overall, sadly she did pass 2wks later... but my point is there is only so much you can do. Shock alone can take them.

She doesn't resent you, she is terrified and could be in pain and overall discomfort. I have a call drake who lost his eye from a coon, just in the last couple days and he is a handful to handle.. biting me and so forth... he will calm down eventually.

On the plus side of my dog killing spree my one female Pekin is still alive to this day, she has a permanent limp due to the damage but is fine.. even lays eggs lol Guess i am saying there is hope. Good luck to you.

 

[Sarahannedp]

Hey y’all!
So buttercup is standing up and WALKING again!!! (Woo hoo!!!!!!) so today my boyfriend and I sat down in the room with her and let the ducklings walk around. The settled down together on the blanket buttercup was on NEAR buttercup but not next to her. She stuck her face up to them but did not attempt to harm them in any way. Their brooder has been in there with her since that comment I made to this post about sticking it in there with her. The ducklings are a little frightened of her, but I feel like I can tell that she enjoys actually seeing them near her. Do you think I should just leave the brooder next to her still and keep the ducklings in there for now? Do you think I should give buttercup more time with them out of the brooder? I would like some recommendations. Buttercup’s health is definitely improving though.
Hopefully I get some advice!

 

[PirateGirl]

If Buttercup seems ok with them I would continue SUPERVISED interaction daily. Also keep the brooder near all the time so they can talk to each other. If your brooder can be set up in a way that they can see each other too that would be great. Hopefully by the time the ducklings are feathered buttercup will be healed and they can all move outside together