Duck died, mate depressed

[Macjjo]

So i have a cayuga female who’s been with a black swedish for a while, but he sadly passed away this week. We have another flock but the sole drake doesn’t get along at all.
The mate is 8, and doesn’t lay, and I’m unsure what exactly to do with her. I’ve had her since middle school and dont want to move her away. Would anyone have advice for how I handle her? Should I look into adopting another duck? Or trying to integrate her into the flock some other way?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

So sorry for your loss
You could try to bring her into the flock. Do a see but no touch with fencing then maybe add a few of your most relaxed birds in with her once they accept her you can slowly move her in
Or finding her a new mate male or female would also be fine
Drakes are always looking for homes so I would imagine it would be easier to find one for her

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Could you take a gentle female from your existing flock and put her with your older female? That way she has company but won’t have to deal with a drake.

 

[Macjjo]

So sorry for your loss
You could try to bring her into the flock. Do a see but no touch with fencing then maybe add a few of your most relaxed birds in with her once they accept her you can slowly move her in
Or finding her a new mate male or female would also be fine
Drakes are always looking for homes so I would imagine it would be easier to find one for her

She gets along with two new ones, but the drake and his mate aren’t very keen on her

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

She gets along with two new ones, but the drake and his mate aren’t very keen on her

If you are able to run 2 separate groups then you could just do that

 

[ruthhope]

So sorry for your cayuga's and your loss. Life's enevitability but it is sad.

I agree entirely that you should introduce one of the other females to her and keep them separate from the drake and his harem for a while. It may be that after a period of adjustment, your Cayuga and her friend will be able to be integrated with the flock. It might take time but better your Cayuga has a friend during the interim

 

[ruthhope]

Do you have an update @Macjjo on your cayuga?

 

[Macjjo]

Do you have an update @Macjjo on your cayuga?

She’s doing a little better for herself, had some arthritis but she’s healed from it. Unfortunately, the last male of the pen just died of natural causes, and now the whole pen is mourning the loss of that male. She’s more integrated now, but I’m not sure what to do now that they have no other drakes in the pen.

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you for the update, I am glad your cayuga is doing ok.

Female ducks are fine in all female flocks. If you want to introduce a new drake, you could onsider adopting an adult drake. There are too many drakes in world and people who rescue drakes that are dumped on ponds often have difficulty finding forever homes for the rescues.

You might ask in your BYC State thread; or your branch of the SPCA or chapter of the humane society if they arrange duck adoptions; or look on Craigslist. There is a Facebook group 'Duck Rescue'. It's a closed group but you can apply to join telling them you want to adopt a rescued drake. They will help you "adopt not buy" a drake.

Best wishes for whatever you decide to do