Seeking Advice On Old Noisy Duck

[Aunt Angus]

Ha! Are you really in Nevada County? Does my profile say we are in Northern California? If not, strange coincidence! We're in Grass Valley. I would interested in talking for sure. My main concern is I'd want to go somewhere where I know she can be happy any not run into more problems. Surprised to see someone so close on this site so fast.

ARE YOU KIDDING? I'm in GV, too! Lol!

 

[Aunt Angus]

PM me! I'm in the county, so noise isn't an issue here. I don't free range due to predator load (except supervised a couple times a week), but they have a big covered yard. I am going to be moving them to a better set up soon with a huge pool.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

My family started keeping ducks about 7.5 years ago. We had a lot of fun with it, enjoyed the eggs, and the kids learned a lot about taking care of animals. During this whole time it's been me (dad) doing most of the work, with the kids helping here and there. They never asked for ducks so I never pushed too hard on them having to take care of them... I just wanted it to be fun since I never had anything like this growing up. Anyhow up until a few months ago we still had about 5 ducks, and one of them was a Dutch Hookbill from the original batch we got from Holderread 7.5 years ago. She's always kept to herself and never really hung out with the main group. Over time some of the newer ducks (one drake) really started picking on her, and eventually the main group of four remaining younger ducks really ganged up on her really beat her up. At this point I was already starting to think about moving on from ducks, so we found a home for those four younger ducks that were still laying and decided to nurse our old Hookbill back to health. For probably two months she stuck really close to home and was super quiet. She's walking well again, grew back all her feathers and gained some weight. She's looking great and I was glad that our lone duck could enjoy her "final years" in peace and quiet.

Nope! Now that she is healthy she has been a quacking machine all day. Thankfully she is quiet at night, but from around 7am to 7pm she is very noisy with only a few brief rest periods to rest and be quiet. All my neighbors have been really nice over the years although I know the ducks have been annoying from time to time. I fear she is really pushing the limits as to what is reasonable for a residential area. So far no complaints, but she is actively annoying ME while I try to work from home so I need to do something.

So far we have experimented with her food, added more pools, cleaned them more often, given more treats and lettuce throughout the day. I know in some way we are probably training her to be annoying, but I can say that she was annoying before all the changes and still annoying after. I feel like deep down she must be lonely, but I never considered that might be a problem because she so rarely interfaced with the other ducks in the past (and it was usually negative).

I'm curious to hear if anyone has any suggestions. My kids really love this duck and it would be tough to give her away after all the love we poured into her for the past few months (and years). The only remaining idea I had left was to find another duck to keep her company, but finding older ducks is tough and I don't want to start the process over again with another young duck. Also the idea of a second duck making all this noise along side her really worries me. I have not considered getting another drake because she has always received a lot of "attention" and that is how she was in such bad shape before. I have considered finding a muscovy for something quiet, but the concern over it escaping our yard feels like a whole new hassle. I'm really at my wits end, so I am hoping someone out there might have some ideas. Thanks very much if you read this far!

She might need companionship...maybe find another older duck or 1 young duck to have a buddy. Sometimes when you take away ducks she was used to, Even though they were bullies, It was somebody that spoke her language. She needs another birdie buddy like Beloved Birds suggests.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I was going to wait and start a nee thread with pics, but I'm just TOO EXCITED! Hookbill Jill may be joining my flock this weekend!!!!

 

[BelovedBirds]

I was going to wait and start a nee thread with pics, but I'm just TOO EXCITED! Hookbill Jill may be joining my flock this weekend!!!!

I'm excited for you!! Sounds like this thread will have a happy ending

 

[Von-Rae]

I know others have already said this, but it really sounds like she is lonely. If you could get a calmer, similar aged duck hen, as a companion, that may solve it.
Large flocks and isolated ducks tend to be the loudest. I only have two ducks, and the noise is pretty low unless something startles them. They just chatter quietly. They're so quiet that after a year the neighbours have only just figured out they exist!

I wouldnt suggest a muscovy, as muscovy are different to ducks, and communicate differently. A khaki campbell, or cayuga even, could be a little quieter though. If you end up choosing a flighted breed, you could clip wings.

I imagine giving her a friend could solve your noise issue. If it doesn't work out, you could always rehome the two of them after they've become friends. If that isn't a possibility, the only humane solution I can think of is rehoming her, which sounds like it would be a shame after all your effort to nurse her to health.

Hi, i am about to be a new duck owner. I am getting some muscovy. Explain why muscovy is different from duck please

 

[BelovedBirds]

Hi, i am about to be a new duck owner. I am getting some muscovy. Explain why muscovy is different from duck please

Thats exciting!
They're actually a separate species from ducks, they're a lot like geese, but still very unique as a species.
Much of their care is the same, and they look real similar, so people still consider them ducks despite that technicality.
They can be housed with ducks, but they make different sounds/communicate differently (dont quack).
They have a longer incubation, while ducklings take around 28 days to hatch, muscovy take up to 35 days.
They can breed successfully with ducks, but the offspring are known as mules, they're technically hybrids and would be sterile.

I don't actually keep muscovies, so my knowledge is fairly minimal. But they're awesome birds and I hope you enjoy keeping them!

 

[Von-Rae]

Thats exciting!
They're actually a separate species from ducks, they're a lot like geese, but still very unique as a species.
Much of their care is the same, and they look real similar, so people still consider them ducks despite that technicality.
They can be housed with ducks, but they make different sounds/communicate differently (dont quack).
They have a longer incubation, while ducklings take around 28 days to hatch, muscovy take up to 35 days.
They can breed successfully with ducks, but the offspring are known as mules, they're technically hybrids and would be sterile.

I don't actually keep muscovies, so my knowledge is fairly minimal. But they're awesome birds and I hope you enjoy keeping them!

This was very detailed. Thank you for this information. I will continue my search for different types of ducks as well. Thanks again!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Many say Muscovy and other domestic ducks have a hard time communicating but I beg to differ. In 2016 a BYC member sent me ducks eggs for my Muscovy to sit. My Muscovy hatched 9 duckling 7 Runners and 2 Buffs. My Muscovy Dolly kept those duckling with her for 8 weeks teaching them about life. But the funny part is she has never left them. She has totally left her Muscovy flock [these flocks are all kept in the same 1/2acre but sleep in separate coops at night.] Dolly the Muscovy sleeps with her Runners and Buffs and 1 female goose while my Muscovy sleeps in their coop. She hasn't any problem communicating with her flock, she stays as far away from the Muscovy as she can. She is the first of my Muscovy that has ever done this. It's so sweet to see her in the middle of them all she is def their mama. lol

 

[Von-Rae]

Many say Muscovy and other domestic ducks have a hard time communicating but I beg to differ. In 2016 a BYC member sent me ducks eggs for my Muscovy to sit. My Muscovy hatched 9 duckling 7 Runners and 2 Buffs. My Muscovy Dolly kept those duckling with her for 8 weeks teaching them about life. But the funny part is she has never left them. She has totally left her Muscovy flock [these flocks are all kept in the same 1/2acre but sleep in separate coops at night.] Dolly the Muscovy sleeps with her Runners and Buffs and 1 female goose while my Muscovy sleeps in their coop. She hasn't any problem communicating with her flock, she stays as far away from the Muscovy as she can. She is the first of my Muscovy that has ever done this. It's so sweet to see her in the middle of them all she is def their mama. lol

This is why I like forums. Everyone has a different experience they can teach or share. I thank you for this information. Despite them not being actual ducks, I won't be loving them less. This is just the beginning! Thank You!