New to Ducking

[Miss Lydia]

Have you considered ordering ducklings that are sexed from hatchery? I have heard many people on here have used Metzer's and they now have new minimum policy it seems.

That would be one way of going but will make the drake have to spend time away from his mate [if over mating] till these ducklings got large enough to be in with him at 4-5 months old.

 

[Waddlein]

I rescued 2 Easter Ducklings last spring and with the help of my local feed store I was able to raise them to healthy and happy adults. I fenced a area in with costed wire 4 foot fencing. I left a opening that allowed them into the spring that led to the pond. Every morning I would go down and sleek to them and feed them. They had began mating but never any eggs. I had also provided a shelter that I built out of stones and moss with a solid roof as well as another shelter on a small island in the small pond. They never used either shelter

Two days ago Inwent down to greet them and feed them and Inoly saw may male swimming in circles in the middle of the pond. He was quacking, and he was usually very quiet. I looked everywhere for my female Edwina. She was always VERY vocal. I could not find her. My mail swam up to me and went over by the shelter and kept quacking and trying to bite me. I looked inside and found Edwina. He head and neck were gone. A clean cut, no blood or feathers everywhere and her legs were as if something drug her in and removed her head and left her. Now I don't know what took her life and whatever it was must have jumped the fence. I immediately threw together a temporary coop for him at night. He is being very vocal and trying to bite and nip. He does not like it. Please advise me of what Inshould do?! Should I raise him alone, get him a female friend. I know someone that has several males and they would give me a couple. Or should Infone him a home?
Please Advise me, I am so heartbroken for the loss of Edwina.

Get a goose thy will protect your ducks, and they still lay eggs!, also sorry for your loss

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[Miss Lydia]

Get a goose thy will protect your ducks, and they still lay eggs!, also sorry for your loss

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A goose is not a protector it is an alarm system.

@cowetatina what do you want to do? think about it do you want to keep your drake then get him some female friends. If you think it would be better to place him in another home then do that. We can't tell you what is best for you and him. But we can say that ducks that are left outside over night even on a pond are more likely to be killed by a predator. Than those that a locked up securely every night. Most preds climb.

Of course your drake is heartbroken and lonely now and lost with out his mate. But please keep him safe till you decide what you want to do.

I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[cowetatina]

I got him a mate a month ago and he is very rough on her with his mating. He had put one of her eyes out! I have asked at every feed store, tractor supply and local bulletin board to find another female. No one has any. The ducklings that were available are not sexed. If anyone know someone in my area that needs to home a female duck let me know. I have a 16 x 8 pen with a wire top and two houses for them. They are fed and locked up every evening before sundown.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got him a mate a month ago and he is very rough on her with his mating. He had put one of her eyes out! I have asked at every feed store, tractor supply and local bulletin board to find another female. No one has any. The ducklings that were available are not sexed. If anyone know someone in my area that needs to home a female duck let me know. I have a 16 x 8 pen with a wire top and two houses for them. They are fed and locked up every evening before sundown.

I know you did get him a mate and I am so sorry you just lost her.

What about pet finder sometimes they have water fowl for adoption? As aggressive a breeder as he is I'd suggest 3 females for him. I hope you can find some. Did you go on the "where am i where are you" thread here on BYC and look up Ga.? maybe you can link up with someone close by who has ducks.