please advise, heartbroken and afraid

[Here come the ducks]

Oh no, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweethearts. I remember when you got them, your wonderful nursery set up. How your dog dressed up. I know how much you love your ducks - just like I love mine. I know how special they are and how much it hurts to say goodbye. 3 in such a short time is too much.

If you get ducklings you might have more fun and bond with them better, but your pekin would probably prefer an adult duck or two. She'll have to wait a few months for ducklings to grow up to really be companions.

I have adopted adult ducks twice. The first time my existing 2 ducks accepted the 3 incoming ducks like they had always belonged. The second time my existing 5 ducks rejected the incoming 1 duck. The incoming duck longed to be accepted, and after several weeks my existing flock stopped pecking at her but they never welcomed her into the flock or loved her. Since ducks are individuals they don't always get along. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try. I just want to give you realistic expectations.

I would like to share that I got a virus and parasites in my flock by adopted adult ducks. They had been abandoned on a pond and we're swimming with wild mallards. I don't regret adopting them as they would have likely not had medical care without me. But I feel like you might want to consider this and only adopt from a private home with good biosecurity practices or ducklings from a hatchery.

thank you everyone for all your smart and warm comments. Yes, this is in part why i am afraid to get adult ducks.. ive kept my ducks in a playpen at night and on stormy days.. and cold days.. and hot days... hmmm essentially they have a lot of time inside when conditions aren't nt good.. lol.. i was thunking my brooder would be one playpen and my eve could be in a playpen next to them.. so they would hear and smell each other early on.. this is a picture of my sweet shiloh, and shiloh and eve together

 

[Here come the ducks]

Oh no, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweethearts. I remember when you got them, your wonderful nursery set up. How your dog dressed up. I know how much you love your ducks - just like I love mine. I know how special they are and how much it hurts to say goodbye. 3 in such a short time is too much.

If you get ducklings you might have more fun and bond with them better, but your pekin would probably prefer an adult duck or two. She'll have to wait a few months for ducklings to grow up to really be companions.

I have adopted adult ducks twice. The first time my existing 2 ducks accepted the 3 incoming ducks like they had always belonged. The second time my existing 5 ducks rejected the incoming 1 duck. The incoming duck longed to be accepted, and after several weeks my existing flock stopped pecking at her but they never welcomed her into the flock or loved her. Since ducks are individuals they don't always get along. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try. I just want to give you realistic expectations.

I would like to share that I got a virus and parasites in my flock by adopted adult ducks. They had been abandoned on a pond and we're swimming with wild mallards. I don't regret adopting them as they would have likely not had medical care without me. But I feel like you might want to consider this and only adopt from a private home with good biosecurity practices or ducklings from a hatchery.

that sounds very difficult to have gone through.. i am so glad you were the mommy..and that theynhad all your love and care..

 

[Here come the ducks]

3 is a good number.
So very sorry for the heartache you have been through.


Please keep us updated on when your ducklings are to be delivered. Keep in mind the temps when you chose the dates for shipping. Heat can be devastating for shipped duckling the same as cold temps.

yes.. good point...if i do it soon, it would be in the summer.. ugh not great.. i could wait until september but then sweet eve is alone.. she seems ok.. and i am working from home so i am, with her all day. she sleeps inside, snd now in my bedroom in her new playpen.. lol.. so maybe i should wait until September when temps a bit cooler?

 

[fatty and friends]

yes.. good point...if i do it soon, it would be in the summer.. ugh not great.. i could wait until september but then sweet eve is alone.. she seems ok.. and i am working from home so i am, with her all day. she sleeps inside, snd now in my bedroom in her new playpen.. lol.. so maybe i should wait until September when temps a bit cooler?

i think now would be best, the less time she spends as an only duck the better

 

[Here come the ducks]

i think now would be best, the less time she spends as an only duck the better

ok!! got it!

 

[Here come the ducks]

i think now would be best, the less time she spends as an only duck the better

the picture of your ducks is soooo adorable!!

 

[Here come the ducks]

I’m so sorry for your heartaches. I wish you well! It will get better and yes, get more ducks!

thank you

 

[fatty and friends]

the picture of your ducks is soooo adorable!!

thank you! my profile picture is my 3 boys

 

[KaleIAm]

yes.. good point...if i do it soon, it would be in the summer.. ugh not great.. i could wait until september but then sweet eve is alone.. she seems ok.. and i am working from home so i am, with her all day. she sleeps inside, snd now in my bedroom in her new playpen.. lol.. so maybe i should wait until September when temps a bit cooler?

I do think ducks are happiest with duck friends, but I think the amount of stress without a duck friend varies per duck. You know your duck best and if she can wait and if she is ok with your company.

Alternatively, do you have any local hatcheries you could drive to that offer sexed ducklings? I discovered that I have one near me by searching on Craigslist.

 

[Quatie]

I am so sorry about the loss of your ducks. It is always hard to lose one. Everyone has given you great advice on your potential new ducks. I hope she will be happy soon.

I also wanted to suggest you may want to think about if you have the right vet for you. There a lot of vets who will say they treat birds, but are not avian vets. Your 3 bad experiences just put up flags for me. It is just something to think about. If you trust your vet, then that is great. You always want one that you trust.