Stressed Out over New Muscovy Girl

[Alka1681]

We brought home a little Muscovy duck yesterday lunchtime. The previous owner rough handled her, catching her in a net and by her wings. The ducks there had it rough, no bedding and nshe was soiled with poop everywhere.

Anyway, the car ride home was 5 minutes. In a box with a hole for her head. She lay low and silent.

OUr old Muscovy girl, Maggie, greeted her...kindly...both interacted kindly. The new girl, Bobbie, is very subdued and quiet. Maggies chatty and tail wagging, looking happy shes got a friend. Bobbie is walking low, head low, quiet and hasnt eaten in our sight. Her poops were fine yesterday. Today bit more watery like she hasnt eaten since getting here. They have a cozy coop to sleep, fresh everything, sunshine, food, foraging area and space, a big pond with clean water. everything. Bobbie had s swim yesterday in the pond but on getting out, the quiet and low posture return. Tail bit low. This morning on opening the coop, Maggie waddled out happy tail wagging but Bobbie stood still watching and took a while to come out.

We are stressing out if shes ok or what?

Shes 1yr old.

Thankyou lots

 

[SnackMeat]

Probably nothing but time and treats will help. It could also help to get low-- set out a blanket and lay down to read or listen to music, especially if you have a friend so you can be talking. That way she gets used to you, and your voice but you're not hulking over her perhaps making her feel like you're going to descend in her like a predator (what the previous owner was doing.)

If you interact a lot with your other duck in front of her, I wouldn't push your new duck to interact. Just let her see you interacting in a positive way with your other duck.

You might also see how she reacts to you looking directly at her (predator) versus side eyeing her (how prey animals look at things.) if you see her tensing her body when she sees you turning to face her, maybe try not directly looking at her for awhile. And if she comes into your immediate area, you can put your hand to your side so she can maybe explore it, or just be able to look at it without it reaching for her.


I'm not super familiar with birds sense of smell, but with domesticated animals coming to new places with new owners, it can help to out some of your stinky laundry near her sleeping area, or sometimes in the sleeping area. So she gets used to your smell without having the immediate threat of you in the area. But I'm not sure if that works with ducks like it works with dogs and cats.