What should we do with Carl?

[lollysmom]

We have five 8 week old ducklings--pekins and rouens. One of the ducks, named Carl, who turned out to be a female, by the way, seemed fine at first, but began to show signs of deformity about a month ago. Her neck is almost non existant, curving downward, almost like scoliosis, so she cant hold her head up. I've also noticed this week that one of her wings droops and she's constantly trying to tuck it back in. She eats and drinks fine, although more slowly than the others, and doesn't get in the baby pool as ofter as the others, but lies on the ramp leading to the pool and drinks from it. Other times, she's right in there with the others eating lettuce or other goodies we put in. Our plan was to release the ducks at the river at the home of one of my daughter's teachers in a couple of weeks. We're not so sure that Carl will be ok. So what do you think? Is she better off with the rest of the girls or should we keep her as a pet and let her live with the chickens? My husband thinks she'll be fine, but I'm not so sure. Any thoughts?

 

[jdywntr]

Are they going to have a secure shelter at this river?
A domestic duck is not likely to survive if released. There are too many factors against them- predators both wild and domestic, starvation, etc. A handicapped duck is most assuredly a goner.
I would say keep them or rehome them. Sorry, but just trying to be realistic.

 

[jessiduck]

I agree with jdywntr's comment. If you don't want to keep them as pets then you should consider bringing them to a free-range farm or finding someone who can take care of them permanently. Do not set them free.

 

[Amiga]

I would be giving Carl extra vitamins, particularly thiamine and niacin. And please don't release them where they will not have constant care and human supervision and protection.

Many do not realize how harsh such a thing is for domestic animals. But many others see and deal with the consequences, and it breaks our hearts.

 

[jessiduck]

I would be giving Carl extra vitamins, particularly thiamine and niacin. And please don't release them where they will not have constant care and human supervision and protection.

Many do not realize how harsh such a thing is for domestic animals. But many others see and deal with the consequences, and it breaks our hearts.

Amen to everything! Listen to amiga!!!!!!

 

[rainplace]

Look at second post in the thread I am about to post to see what happens to domestic waterfowl that are "released" into the wild.

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70364/releasing-waterfowl-graphic-pictures#post_820655

 

[Lute]

Please Lollysmom, give the ducks away to someone who will take care of them!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Oy, vey. Why did you get ducks if you did not have long term plans to house the,m, feed the, and care for them properly long term? It is unethical as well as illegal to dump domestically bred, hatched and raised ducks into a wild setting. Place an ad on Craig's list or at the local feed store looking for a permanent home for the entire group where they can be cared for long term, not dumped to become predator food.

 

[rainplace]

I'm very happy that the op came to this forum looking for help. I don't think it's uncommon for people to misunderstand the differences between domestic and wild fowl. Though I never thought of "releasing" my waterfowl, it also never occurred to me that they were different from their wild cousins in anything other than colors, shapes and sizes. It wasn't until I started hearing about it in these forums that I finally got it.

 

[Andrewdp123]

I;m sorry about your duckling...I hope it gets better...And as far as the putting it in the river goes I live in an area with A LOT of predators and have ducks that swim in my creek and come up many times a day to get some cracked corn and then go back down...So if she plans on feeding them it shouldnt be too much of a problem.