Wood Duck Question

[Kgbella84]

Hi everyone, my name is Kelly, and back in the beginning of June I rescued 3 wood ducklings. Two of them unfortunately didn’t make it but one female did. I’ve raised her since then and she’s now about 3 months old. Just today I brought her to another families home who already has other ducks and the appropriate space to keep them outside. But she has never lived outside and has never even been around other ducks except for in the first few days of her life. She’s imprinted on me and me on her. I already miss her dearly but I thought I was doing what was best for her. Now I’m beginning to question myself but I don’t know if it’s became I miss her so much and wish she was here. Did I make a mistake? Is this a bad idea since she’s imprinted on my and has always lived in my home with me? Im so afraid she’s going to die because of my choice. I guess I just need someone to tell me she’ll be ok or if I should go back and get her. She’s being raised with domestic ducks and chickens. She’s so so tiny compared to the others. What if she flies away? Will she know how to survive? I don’t want her to feel scared or abandoned. Please help me!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Letting a pet go is incredibly hard but you did the right thing. Most domestic ducks are imprinted on people yet they love other ducks too. They have long memories so ask if you can visit her.

 

[Kgbella84]

Letting a pet go is incredibly hard but you did the right thing. Most domestic ducks are imprinted on people yet they love other ducks too. They have long memories so ask if you can visit her.

Thank you for your reply. Everyone thinks I’m ridiculous for caring so much. Hearing that she has a long memory makes me so sad. I don’t want her to wonder where I went. They didn’t say I could visit but that they’ll send pictures every once in awhile. Do you think if she escapes and flys off that she’ll know how to survive? Even though she’s been raised inside my home? She flew off from my home by mistake a few weeks ago and went a little too far and when I finally found her in my neighbors yard she was just standing there stunned until I picked her up.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Thank you for your reply. Everyone thinks I’m ridiculous for caring so much. Hearing that she has a long memory makes me so sad. I don’t want her to wonder where I went. They didn’t say I could visit but that they’ll send pictures every once in awhile. Do you think if she escapes and flys off that she’ll know how to survive? Even though she’s been raised inside my home? She flew off from my home by mistake a few weeks ago and went a little too far and when I finally found her in my neighbors yard she was just standing there stunned until I picked her up.

Don’t be sad. Ducks don’t think like we do. I don’t believe that they wonder why we have been gone, they live in the moment. I only mentioned that they have long memories because I saw one of mine six months after I gave him away and he recognized me and started happy boy quaking at me before I saw him.
Know that you did the right thing. Yes, I think she will be ok if she flies off. She has her wild duck instincts. She will find food, roost in trees, and she can fly to avoid predators. Come January a handsome drake Woodduck may come into her life and she can have little ducklings. Try to think of those things and not worry.