Seeking Advice On Old Noisy Duck

[SFDucks]

My family started keeping ducks about 8.5 years ago. We had a lot of fun with it, enjoyed the eggs, and the kids learned a lot about taking care of animals. During this whole time it's been me (dad) doing most of the work, with the kids helping here and there. They never asked for ducks so I never pushed too hard on them having to take care of them... I just wanted it to be fun since I never had anything like this growing up. Anyhow up until a few months ago we still had about 5 ducks, and one of them was a Dutch Hookbill from the original batch we got from Holderread 8.5 years ago. She's always kept to herself and never really hung out with the main group. Over time some of the newer ducks (one drake) really started picking on her, and eventually the main group of four remaining younger ducks really ganged up on her really beat her up. At this point I was already starting to think about moving on from ducks, so we found a home for those four younger ducks that were still laying and decided to nurse our old Hookbill back to health. For probably two months she stuck really close to home and was super quiet. She's walking well again, grew back all her feathers and gained some weight. She's looking great and I was glad that our lone duck could enjoy her "final years" in peace and quiet.

Nope! Now that she is healthy she has been a quacking machine all day. Thankfully she is quiet at night, but from around 7am to 7pm she is very noisy with only a few brief rest periods to rest and be quiet. All my neighbors have been really nice over the years although I know the ducks have been annoying from time to time. I fear she is really pushing the limits as to what is reasonable for a residential area. So far no complaints, but she is actively annoying ME while I try to work from home so I need to do something.

So far we have experimented with her food, added more pools, cleaned them more often, given more treats and lettuce throughout the day. I know in some way we are probably training her to be annoying, but I can say that she was annoying before all the changes and still annoying after. I feel like deep down she must be lonely, but I never considered that might be a problem because she so rarely interfaced with the other ducks in the past (and it was usually negative).

I'm curious to hear if anyone has any suggestions. My kids really love this duck and it would be tough to give her away after all the love we poured into her for the past few months (and years). The only remaining idea I had left was to find another duck to keep her company, but finding older ducks is tough and I don't want to start the process over again with another young duck. Also the idea of a second duck making all this noise along side her really worries me. I have not considered getting another drake because she has always received a lot of "attention" and that is how she was in such bad shape before. I have considered finding a muscovy for something quiet, but the concern over it escaping our yard feels like a whole new hassle. I'm really at my wits end, so I am hoping someone out there might have some ideas. Thanks very much if you read this far!

Edit: Realized it was actually 8.5 years we've had her!

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

We put a rooster collar around our roos neck. It did not help but it might for you!

 

[Isadora]

We put a rooster collar around our roos neck. It did not help but it might for you!

Not good advice.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She's a beautiful duck. maybe try finding an older female around her age for companionship that may be why she is quacking since ducks are flock animals. Sometimes animal shelters or ASPCA waterfowl rehabbers
will have older ducks. A Muscovy would be good too if you are wanting a quackless one and clipping one wing will keep her grounded. I def wouldn't get a drake since you only have one female.

In the meantime, a mirror placed in her run or coop might help with her being lonely. They love looking at themselves.

 

[Mary Poopins Love]

Why Ducks Get Noisy and What to Do - Urban Backyard Farming​

https://farmfromhome.com

 

[Aunt Angus]

She's lonely. Ms. Lydia makes really good suggestions.

 

[Isadora]

She's a beautiful duck. maybe try finding an older female around her age for companionship that may be why she is quacking since ducks are flock animals. Sometimes animal shelters or ASPCA will have older ducks. A Muscovy would be good too if you are wanting a quackless one and clipping one wing will keep her grounded. I def wouldn't get a drake since you only have one female.

In the meantime, a mirror placed in her run or coop might help with her being lonely. They love looking at themselves.

Agree with everything Miss Lydia said. It really does sound like her quacking is stemming from being alone.
Considering the fact that you really don't want more ducks in the future, I would strongly considered rehoming her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Agree with everything Miss Lydia said. It really does sound like her quacking is stemming from being alone.
Considering the fact that you really don't want more ducks in the future, I would strongly considered rehoming her.

If you do choose to rehome her, I would happily adopt her if you are anywhere near me. I have ALWAYS wanted a hookbill, and I've long admired Jill!


Just offering a possible solution. I have 7 ducks in 2 separate flocks.

 

[BelovedBirds]

My family started keeping ducks about 7.5 years ago. We had a lot of fun with it, enjoyed the eggs, and the kids learned a lot about taking care of animals. During this whole time it's been me (dad) doing most of the work, with the kids helping here and there. They never asked for ducks so I never pushed too hard on them having to take care of them... I just wanted it to be fun since I never had anything like this growing up. Anyhow up until a few months ago we still had about 5 ducks, and one of them was a Dutch Hookbill from the original batch we got from Holderread 7.5 years ago. She's always kept to herself and never really hung out with the main group. Over time some of the newer ducks (one drake) really started picking on her, and eventually the main group of four remaining younger ducks really ganged up on her really beat her up. At this point I was already starting to think about moving on from ducks, so we found a home for those four younger ducks that were still laying and decided to nurse our old Hookbill back to health. For probably two months she stuck really close to home and was super quiet. She's walking well again, grew back all her feathers and gained some weight. She's looking great and I was glad that our lone duck could enjoy her "final years" in peace and quiet.

Nope! Now that she is healthy she has been a quacking machine all day. Thankfully she is quiet at night, but from around 7am to 7pm she is very noisy with only a few brief rest periods to rest and be quiet. All my neighbors have been really nice over the years although I know the ducks have been annoying from time to time. I fear she is really pushing the limits as to what is reasonable for a residential area. So far no complaints, but she is actively annoying ME while I try to work from home so I need to do something.

So far we have experimented with her food, added more pools, cleaned them more often, given more treats and lettuce throughout the day. I know in some way we are probably training her to be annoying, but I can say that she was annoying before all the changes and still annoying after. I feel like deep down she must be lonely, but I never considered that might be a problem because she so rarely interfaced with the other ducks in the past (and it was usually negative).

I'm curious to hear if anyone has any suggestions. My kids really love this duck and it would be tough to give her away after all the love we poured into her for the past few months (and years). The only remaining idea I had left was to find another duck to keep her company, but finding older ducks is tough and I don't want to start the process over again with another young duck. Also the idea of a second duck making all this noise along side her really worries me. I have not considered getting another drake because she has always received a lot of "attention" and that is how she was in such bad shape before. I have considered finding a muscovy for something quiet, but the concern over it escaping our yard feels like a whole new hassle. I'm really at my wits end, so I am hoping someone out there might have some ideas. Thanks very much if you read this far!

I know others have already said this, but it really sounds like she is lonely. If you could get a calmer, similar aged duck hen, as a companion, that may solve it.
Large flocks and isolated ducks tend to be the loudest. I only have two ducks, and the noise is pretty low unless something startles them. They just chatter quietly. They're so quiet that after a year the neighbours have only just figured out they exist!

I wouldnt suggest a muscovy, as muscovy are different to ducks, and communicate differently. A khaki campbell, or cayuga even, could be a little quieter though. If you end up choosing a flighted breed, you could clip wings.

I imagine giving her a friend could solve your noise issue. If it doesn't work out, you could always rehome the two of them after they've become friends. If that isn't a possibility, the only humane solution I can think of is rehoming her, which sounds like it would be a shame after all your effort to nurse her to health.

 

[SFDucks]

If you do choose to rehome her, I would happily adopt her if you are anywhere near me. I have ALWAYS wanted a hookbill, and I've long admired Jill!


Just offering a possible solution. I have 7 ducks in 2 separate flocks.

Ha! Are you really in Nevada County? Does my profile say we are in Northern California? If not, strange coincidence! We're in Grass Valley. I would interested in talking for sure. My main concern is I'd want to go somewhere where I know she can be happy any not run into more problems. Surprised to see someone so close on this site so fast.