Please Help! New Duckling Owners...

[thesmiths]

It is a tough decision. We have grown close to her and love her... but we want to make sure we are doing what's best for her in the long run. I mean, can an adult duck survive if it scoots, slides, and flops to get where it wants? She is gaining weight and seems healthy except for the no walking part, although Scuba is twice the size of Ducky. I called a bunch of rehab centers yesterday and they said they do not treat domestic ducks, just wildlife

 

[desertdarlene]

If you search around the duck forum, you might find some inspiration in some of the other problems people have had with special needs ducks. You might be amazed at how some ducks do well despite their issues. We've had ducks with missing legs/feet, runty ducks, ducks with seizures, and all kinds of other problems. Perhaps if you can find those posts, you will see how they dealt with their issues.

 

[Amiga]

Duckyfromoz has had special needs ducks.

 

[allenk44]

I might be able to get ducks for my bday in May n I'm just wondering what kind I should get
-needs to be a good egg layer
- pretty
- quiet
Are girls or boys nicer? Whatever one is than that one
- not so messy my mom will get mad
Any suggestion is appreciated thanks

 

[jenniemig]

I might be able to get ducks for my bday in May n I'm just wondering what kind I should get
-needs to be a good egg layer
- pretty
- quiet
Are girls or boys nicer? Whatever one is than that one
- not so messy my mom will get mad
Any suggestion is appreciated thanks

Hey allenk44!

Here is a good thread to give you lots of information on raising ducks. I have 3 ducklings (my first) and this forum helped A LOT!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings

Ducks are VERY messy and can be stinky, especially when they're inside in the brooder..

Also, I would suggest you post your questions in the main "duck" section so that more people will see your post and can respond. You'll get kinda lost in this thread and everyone won't see it.

Good luck with your ducks

 

[Carcajou]

I might be able to get ducks for my bday in May n I'm just wondering what kind I should get
-needs to be a good egg layer
- pretty
- quiet
Are girls or boys nicer? Whatever one is than that one
- not so messy my mom will get mad
Any suggestion is appreciated thanks

and X2 jenniemig

 

[allenk44]

Thanks guys

 

[thesmiths]

UPDATE: We made an appointment with our local vet for Monday at 1pm, because Ducky was acting funny on Sunday. My husband woke up on Monday morning to find that Ducky had passed away in the night he wouldn't let me see her, but he said it looked like she may have broken her fragile little neck. I just hope she wasn't suffering and passed quickly and peacefully. She was such a sweet little baby! My husband have her a proper burial on my parents ranch. Scuba was really vocal that day, probably because she couldn't hear Ducky moving in her box :/ but now she's needing more attention than ever! We think she's going through a phase where she's scared of us, but wants to be held. So we're going to be giving her "treats" and move slowly around her. Any suggestions? Is this normal behavior?

 

[thesmiths]

Also, she's doing this weird thing with her bill...she opens her mouth wide but no sound or peeps come out. Is she trying to quack? Or is that their way of showing they're scared?

 

[jenniemig]

UPDATE: We made an appointment with our local vet for Monday at 1pm, because Ducky was acting funny on Sunday. My husband woke up on Monday morning to find that Ducky had passed away in the night

he wouldn't let me see her, but he said it looked like she may have broken her fragile little neck. I just hope she wasn't suffering and passed quickly and peacefully. She was such a sweet little baby! My husband have her a proper burial on my parents ranch. Scuba was really vocal that day, probably because she couldn't hear Ducky moving in her box

but now she's needing more attention than ever! We think she's going through a phase where she's scared of us, but wants to be held. So we're going to be giving her "treats" and move slowly around her. Any suggestions? Is this normal behavior?

Awww, I am sorry! She was so lucky to have you guys to love her and care for her during her short little life

When Qwackers sister passed she was distraught and could not be consoled. I found a local breeder that had ducklings. I bought 2 (just in case another died) and now they're inseparable.