Advice on getting just one pekin duckling as house pet

[violets812]

Hi,

We have Welsh Harlequins sitting on eggs now but they are not pets. I can pick them up if I corner one & they don't hurt if they bite but my 4 year old grandson runs from the drake, who (of course) chases him. I was thinking about getting one Pekin as a diapered house duck. I would get two if I thought they would still be as close to me as one would be - or even close. I know it's better for the pet when I'm not around to have a companion. I've tried this before with a gosling and it was overwhelming - in 3 weeks, I ordered more goslings and the older one "mothered" them.

I think some people on here have a pekin pet. What would you advise as far as getting one or two? That would be 2 ducks to keep diapered, etc, so I'm hoping to be able to handle one. I am retired. How did you do with just one pekin? Any words would help!

Thank you!!

 

[Auntie]

If you want a duck for a pet, one is enough. Pekins are really good; I have a pair. They are pretty gentle, even with a mate, around my 4 year old grandson and 23 month old granddaughter. When the eggs start coming, though, it's natural for them to defend the eggs. Stick with one for a pet and it will look to you as the companion. Handle it all the time as a dckling, which I did in the past with others. The duckling stayed in my arms whenever I was in the garden and stayed in the back yard with my dogs. It was fun to watch.

 

[violets812]

Hi!

Thank you for replying! You say you have two Pekins. Can you pick them up and hold them? I'm just worried because one gosling wants you 24/7 - as it would be with its parents. It was more intense than a human baby which you can rock until the baby falls asleep and then put the baby in their crib. I wouldn't try raising one gosling again. After about a year and we had other waterfowl and poultry, she would stay outside and go get in the pool - do things by herself but I had no idea that first year would be so intense. I was wondering if one Pekin would be like that also?

 

[jak2002003]

How can they lay eggs if they have the diapered? How many times a day do you need to change the diapers? Don't the birds feather get really messy under the diaper?

I just can not imagine having to change a ducks diaper many times every day for years on end. Also is is really nice for the duck to have all its poop in its diaper all the time, because they poop all the time!

I am sure a duck would be much happier in a garden with a pond and lots of mud to paddle in. They would still get very tame.

 

[Auntie]

My single duck never got too intense with me, but it did follow me around. I also had my daughters play with them, so I wasn't the focus. My present pair aren't as dependent on me for attention since they have each other, but if I manage to get them in my arms, they are pretty tame. My grandkids always try to chase them and they're still good birds. I would guess their personalities can differ with each bird.
But I agree with the diaper business. Do you really want one in the house? The duck would probably eventually pull the diaper off. What a mess if you're not home. They love being outdoors in the grass and water like jak20020003 said.

 

[melissap]

sorry but - is this a joke? diapers for ducks? seriously???

 

[lillypad268]

I've found Muscovy ducks to be the gentlest breed I've come across so far.

I found this site has interesting imprinting information
http://www(.)thegoosesmother(.)com/id6(.)html

 

[violets812]

check them out by googling diapers for pet ducks

Have you heard of the book, "Duck, There's a Goose in the House" by a couple who kept diapered geese?

 

[jdywntr]

Any bird that is kept alone with only a human for company is going to be VERY dependent just like the gosling was. I tried this for a few days and I just don't have the time. Ducks are flock animals but if alone will do best when they have someone around all the time. Small things whether they be people ( your grandson or pets) seem to be fair game to ducks.
I have never had ducks that were agressive but they do keep the dogs away.

The best thing you could do would be to get day olds and handle them alot when young. Also, making feeding/treat time a fun experience is key. this wouldn't guarantee that they would be ok with small children.

My muscovy were 3 months old when I got them. They would run away as soon as I took a step towards them at first. Now, they will allow me close, I can touch the drake but I don't have time to hand feed etc. But, my birds aren't pets so I don't mind that they have a what I think of as a healthy fear of humans.
My goslings come running when they see me but if they see DH, they are a bit defensive.

 

[jdywntr]

Also, diapers on ducks need to be changed often and they cannot be left on them all the time. They need to at least be left without them overnight but still be changed several times a day.