Tragedy struck, now we need help

[wallawu]

Back story. We had five ducks (2 WH, 2 Cayugas, 1 BS) for two and a half years with no issues. They have their house, their pen, and free range of the backyard during the day. We live in a neighborhood in the city. They've spent several dozen nights outside of the house with no problems.

At the end of October we got a Golden Hybrid and a Chocolate Runner to add to the flock. Wednesday we put them in the pen while the big ducks were shut out in the yard, then would put them in the house and the big ducks in the pen for that night and Thursday. Friday I decided we'd put them all together in the pen for the night, giving the little ones plenty of room to run away from 5 ducks twice their size.

I'll spare the details but a raccoon seized the opportunity for the first time ever and we lost the little runner, a Welsh, and a cayuga. Now we have a group of 3 "originals" and just one two month old that doesn't know what to do with herself. The runner was her shadow, and now she just stands there. If she approaches the older ducks, one of them chases her off and she keeps her distance for awhile before trying again. Right now, she's outside in the pen while the three are in the house. She's drinking water, but I haven't seen her eat. She got injured mildly with some feathers pulled from her chest, but I believe when we let the dogs out at 5:20 they scared the raccoon away and saved her.

I know this was a traumatic event for them all, and shell continue to be shaken as we give her antibiotic shots twice a day, but will they eventually give in? They normally don't sit in the house during the day, so they aren't back to normal by any means. I feel so guilty for not putting them all up together in the house. Torn out feathers and a bum leg would've been much better than what our runner endured. If anyone has suggestions or info, please let me know. They sleep in the house together, but the little one is off in one corner and the other three are grouped away from her. Not any frayed feathers so far. Thanks for any help!

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm sorry you are going through this. Integration can be rough, predators can be rough, and now you are dealing with both together.

I think your original ducks will accept the new duck eventually. I think it took my original ducks a good 2 months to accept the "new" ducks.

I would consider setting up a second feed and water station (if you haven't already). I would have one in or very near the entrance to the house where they currently feel safe, and one a bit further away. This will allow everyone to eat/drink even if someone is being a bully and guarding the food and water. Also by having one really close to the house, the ducks nervous from the attack will not have to leave their safety bubble.

Good luck. Keep taking good care of them.

 

[wallawu]

I'm sorry you are going through this. Integration can be rough, predators can be rough, and now you are dealing with both together.

I think your original ducks will accept the new duck eventually. I think it took my original ducks a good 2 months to accept the "new" ducks.

I would consider setting up a second feed and water station (if you haven't already). I would have one in or very near the entrance to the house where they currently feel safe, and one a bit further away. This will allow everyone to eat/drink even if someone is being a bully and guarding the food and water. Also by having one really close to the house, the ducks nervous from the attack will not have to leave their safety bubble.

Good luck. Keep taking good care of them.

I was worried with her being on her own that it may never happen. Good to hear time is the answer. Funny, my setup is exactly what you said. One food bowl and water tub by their house, and another set 20 feet away. It's a very sad situation, but it'll never happen again. They'll go up every night at dark from now on. I'm also going to put out traps at night because that raccoon will be back I'm sure.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I feel horrible for you! I just spent quite a bit of time securing my duck run overhead and today I am feeling good about it. You always have to look for areas that could be potential problems. Apparently, this time of the year predators are extra hungry!

 

[chickens really]

It will workout fine and definitely secure them in at night. Plan B on your pen is needed for better security.
Sorry for your losses.

 

[llombardo]

Before I put up the electric fence the raccoons were working the duck side of the run. Luckily I check it daily and saw what they were doing. Always lock them in at night. As far as integrating, that little one probably feels so lost.i got lucky, when I brought home the two runners they integrated in 10 seconds. I was so very relieved after seeing my longest ever chicken integration.

Can you get a couple more the same age as the youngest one?

 

[TyKyra Lancaster]

I'm sorry about what happened to your ducks. Friends of ours had a problem with raccoons getting in their coop, and ever since they put a radio out, they haven't had a problem. This is a more humane way, to deal with the situation. I would consider getting ducks around her age, but time will tell.Hope this is helpful.

 

[PirateGirl]

They are all a bit shaken right now, so it's hard to see exactly how things will go. If you have a way to create two separate groups you could pair the new duck with the friendliest of the original ducks, and then after a week once they are a bit bonded you can put the two of them back with the others. It would mix it up a bit.

If no one is picking on the new duck while they are all together right now then I think it will continue to improve with time.

Good luck. I just found out I may be taking a single duck into my established flock because it lost its only duck buddy that it was bonded too and now lives with chickens and turkeys and is essentially all alone. That will certainly be an interesting integration.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What breed @PirateGirl

 

[PirateGirl]

@Miss Lydia I don't know! I hope it works out though! The owner is someone I recently met and he is processing his turkeys this week and I think this lone duck will be his last bird from a mixed flock and he offered it to me... I said it depends if it's a hen or a drake. He also owns a distillery in town and now I have an endless supply of spent grains for free if I'd like for the birds as well!