I had 2 drakes, 1 of them got killed last night. Now my other duck is all alone, what should I do?

[ccorley98]

Last night some sort of a critter got ahold of one of my drakes before I went and put them in their house for the night, and now my other duck is all alone and lost without his friend.
I raised these two ducks from day 1 and got very attached to them. I feel so bad for my duck that survived the ordeal, they both were less than a year old.

What should I do for my duck? Will he be ok by himself while I raise more ducklings for him to befriend? Or would the wait be too long? Should I find someone with a flock who might take him in? I don't know of anyone around me who would be willing to let me adopt a duck. Please help me and give me some suggestions.

 

[sylviethecochin]

He might be alone for a very long time if you decide to raise ducklings for him. Why don't you check your local classifieds and see if anyone's selling ducks?

If you do go that route, try and get at least two females--or just one male. Don't get two males and one female--that's a recipe for disaster.

Or you could see if anyone wants a duck.

Can you check your state thread and see if anyone near you raises ducks? (Find your state thread)

Good luck and Welcome to BYC!

 

[Khota]

I'm sorry for the loss of your duck. I'm sure he knew he was loved.

If you want to keep your duck, I think finding someone who will let you buy an adult duck or two from them (Preferably hens. Not sure if your drake would want a male he isn't familiar with.) would be your best bet. Ducks get lonely quickly, but if you're willing to keep him LOTS of company while you raise ducklings that may work as well.

 

[OneLuckeyWife]

We had a duck and a drake. Hawk killed the drake.

We have chickens though and they let the duck join the flock and now she is one of them.

It did take her awhile to get realize the drake was gone. She went around calling for him for days. And stayed by his side fo his final moments.


You could try a new duck to be his friend. I wouldn’t try a chicken for his friend. Drakes can hurt chickens if they try and mate with them.

 

[ccorley98]

Thank you all for the suggestions, I think the bet would be to try and find someone who has a flock that will take him. I hate to give him away but i live with my parents and I don't think they would let me get anymore ducks, and it's heartbreaking to look out and see him searching and calling for his lost friend.

 

[chickens really]

Best of luck...Sorry that happened...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry for your loss,
please put this lil one up before dark till you find him a new home because what ever got the other one will be back.

 

[ccorley98]

Sorry for your loss,
please put this lil one up before dark till you find him a new home because what ever got the other one will be back.

Don't worry, I put him up soon as the sun started to go down. How long is too long to find him a new mate? I'm looking as hard as I can but I don't want to take too long.

 

[HannaKessler]

I'm so sorry, that's terrible. I lost two of my ducks 2 weeks ago, leaving one hen alone. We had a choice between adult muscavoy ducks or 2 week old crested ducklings. Decided to go with the ducklings since the hen had been sitting on eggs for a while (that's why she survived the attack, she was hiding in her nest) so we figured she would adopt the babies. She didn't, but they have had visits every day outside, and she is warming up to them as they grow. She got over being so upset after a week or so, and now she just sits by the door and talks to us inside the house.

I hope you find your duck some friends so he can be happy again, so sorry for your loss.

 

[ccorley98]

I'm so sorry, that's terrible. I lost two of my ducks 2 weeks ago, leaving one hen alone. We had a choice between adult muscavoy ducks or 2 week old crested ducklings. Decided to go with the ducklings since the hen had been sitting on eggs for a while (that's why she survived the attack, she was hiding in her nest) so we figured she would adopt the babies. She didn't, but they have had visits every day outside, and she is warming up to them as they grow. She got over being so upset after a week or so, and now she just sits by the door and talks to us inside the house.

I hope you find your duck some friends so he can be happy again, so sorry for your loss.

Thank you for your condolences, very happy to hear your hen is doing better. Hope she and the babies live long happy lives.