Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

[BelovedBirds]

Daffy is a 15lb muscovy drake that I rescued and resuscitated when he was bout 2-3 days old and then hand reared him. He didn't get any ducky friends until 6 weeks old--one of the juveniles I introduced him to is still with me. The other, a special needs drake, died18 months ago. The biting attention seeking in the spring when hormones surge is common in hand reared drakes. Daffy has never really forgiven me for making him live in the duck house "with ducks" @Luv Ducks!! He thinks he should live in the house and spends his days looking for ways to sneak back in. He's a poster duck for why ducks should be raised with ducks and not on their own!!

Goodness, maybe this is this is what has Sprightly in upset! She lived in the house with Dougie for the first 5 or so months of her life. Maybe she's holding a grudge about being out there!
I hope some day they can be house ducks again. Its not something I really advocate for, as its generally best for them to be outdoors and have all that mental stimulation. But my girls much prefer being indoors, whenever they have a trip inside, they get so excited!

 

[Luv Ducks]

For

Daffy is a 15lb muscovy drake that I rescued and resuscitated when he was bout 2-3 days old and then hand reared him. He didn't get any ducky friends until 6 weeks old--one of the juveniles I introduced him to is still with me. The other, a special needs drake, died18 months ago. The biting attention seeking in the spring when hormones surge is common in hand reared drakes. Daffy has never really forgiven me for making him live in the duck house "with ducks" @Luv Ducks!! He thinks he should live in the house and spends his days looking for ways to sneak back in. He's a poster duck for why ducks should be raised with ducks and not on their own!!

For sure. He was lucky you were able to save him. I have heard of ducks imprinting on humans and how the humans wished it had never happened. I am not handling my little one I have right now more than I have to and the other one should hatch a day this week. I will put it in with it as soon as I can. I don't want to have it screaming for me or wanting all of my attention because I work and can't do that even if I wanted to. I am sorry you lost your other special needs duck.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Goodness, maybe this is this is what has Sprightly in upset! She lived in the house with Dougie for the first 5 or so months of her life. Maybe she's holding a grudge about being out there!
I hope some day they can be house ducks again. Its not something I really advocate for, as its generally best for them to be outdoors and have all that mental stimulation. But my girls much prefer being indoors, whenever they have a trip inside, they get so excited!

It surely sounds like that is why Sprightly is upset. I never knew they were house ducks for a while. Mine all are until they get their feathers or it gets warm enough to put them out and then they go out. I hope that Sprightly gets used to being outside eventually and adjusts to the outdoors.

 

[BelovedBirds]

It surely sounds like that is why Sprightly is upset. I never knew they were house ducks for a while. Mine all are until they get their feathers or it gets warm enough to put them out and then they go out. I hope that Sprightly gets used to being outside eventually and adjusts to the outdoors.

Don't worry, It's been nearly 3 years, she's just dramatic.
I kept them both inside too long because I was ill prepared, I didn't get a coop or pen for them until they were teenagers and it took a while for me to put it all together. They started going outside once they were fully grown though, but only for the daytime. Then they would come inside for a swim in the bath and went to bed in their inside puppy pen. I liked that routine! They enjoyed getting the best of both worlds, and it meant I got to spend more time with them!

I think Sprightly is slightly bitter about me being far away from them inside, honestly. She would be over it by now but she had so many health issues for a while, and that meant she spent a lot of time inside during treatments and a lot of time with me watching her closely, which I think threw her off when she stopped getting as much attention. She's much better these days, not had an issue in so long, and she's finally slowed down her egg production!

 

[Goosebaby]

Truffle’s been nipping at my ankles, same with Sunbeam. They’re stinkers and they’ve definitely been in a contest of who can push every last button I have, but it’s hard to be angry when I see that spark of pure joy in their eyes when they’re after me. Does that qualify as brainwashing? Do I need to be deprogrammed from the duck cult?