Remaining Ducks are Depressed

[Niss]

We had an attack last weekand lost some birds to a dog. My chickens seem fine (not even a drop in egg production), but the three surviving ducks act sad. The six were so happy--waddeling, quacking, and swimming. Now they are quiet, skiddish, and stick right under the tree where the other half were killed.
Will they get over it? What can I do to help?

 

[DurhamDuck]

So sorry to hear that. You might distract them by putting live minnows in their pool. They will happily chase after them and eat them. That might cheer the poor dears up!!

Good luck!

 

[fifenashia]

I'm so sorry for your loss!! My duck is currently healing in our spare room after a dog attack yesterday that claimed the lives of her chicken sisters. I have kept her close to the remaining hen that survived and I have been spoiling her with treats. Lots of worms, greens and yummers.

Hopefully in time they will acclimate. The fact that there are 3 survivors is good. Be patient and keep watch for any changes in behavior that could indicate more serious concerns (not eating).

Good luck! I sure hope your darlings get to feeling better.

 

[jemagsy]

We feel for you, we've lost five ducks in three days, with four of them going missing today in the middle of the day. It's really heart breaking for us, but the three remaining ducks just sat at the side of the house all afternoon and we had to herd them into the coop tonight.

Hope your girls start feeling better soon and know we're thinking of you and the girls. I agree with DurhamDuck, ducks do love swimming after some fish, maybe that or some duck treats will help them.

 

[Niss]

Thanks for the support.

I'm very sorry to hear there are so many folks in this situation.
The gals (although I am starting to wonder about two of them...) seemed better this am--I saw a little flapping and quacking and they weren't all huddled down. Last night I gave them worms and some pizza crust, but they were still acting afraid of me.

 

[Paintedhorsegirl]

I am sorry for your loss. Its never easy to lose a pet of any kind..I hope your ducks recover and start feeling better..

 

[DurhamDuck]

Quote:
Just a note incase you didn't know, bread/pizza crust etc. all shorten the life of ducks. They should not be fed any sort of breads or crackers even though they like it, it does shorten their life span. At least that is what the "Raising Ducks" book by Dave Holderread says.

 

[Wifezilla]

It's true. It also causes them to pack on fat around their internal organs. Bread = bad.