One lonely duck-HELP!

[eminator]

On Friday, my pug-terrier mix found his way into the duck pen and killed 3 of my ducks and injured a fourth. Fifth one was unharmed. I thought the fourth one would pull through, but sadly, he just died this afternoon. So now I have one lonely crested white duck. She is 2 months old. I guess I have 2 questions:

1) Even though she is 2 months old, is it possible that she might bond with me and get past the loneliness? I thought that bonding only occured in the first few days/weeks, but maybe someone has experience here?

2) If that is not possible, is there anyone near IN that may want to take in a single female duck (someone with an existing flock)?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Quack Shack]

That's so sad. I have crested and Roens but I'm in NC. If she witnessed it, she's probably still in shock. When a hawk got one of mine the others quit laying for 2 weeks and would panic easily. They seemed to take comfort from being around the hens and my motion activated owl (fingers crossed) seems to be helping. I don't see why the duck wouldn't bond with a human or another animal even at 2 months of age. They are very social animals and I would hate for her to grieve herself away. Daily contact with treats may coax her into a comfort zone with you and then just wait and see. Wish I could be more helpful.

 

[eminator]

Your response is very helpful. I am going to try to help her with treats and just spending time with her, and I plan on her sleeping with the silkies and my cochin. I hope she comes around. I will give it my best shot! Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[Quack Shack]

Anything to help out a fellow duck lover. You may want to put a box in there for your duck so she can make a nest in it. We've also used a 'surrogate' stuffed beanie baby goose. I know it's silly but she wasn't white very long after the ducklings nuzzled her when they slept. They'd even move her close to the food dish. She helped my ducklings adjust to sleeping with the hens. We removed her after a week and all went well.

 

[Crayonsmom]

That's so sad.

That happened to our Runner Ducks (but it was a skunk). We tried to catch the suspect(s) and were really careful when only one poor duck was out, (We gave him a mirror. That could work for you too.) but unfotunately after we caught a skunk we let him out the next day... (poor guy was scared to come outside) and found a very gruesome scene the next day. I felt so bad. Lesson learned... Anway, try a mirror if she seems lonely and I wish you luck!