Want happy duck keeping.

[duggat]

I have had so many problems since I started keeping ducks.
I have had my dog chomping on my week old Esme; she survived.
I accidently hurt my drake Jerrys leg; it is totally healed.
I then had a few marvellous months with no catastrophes. Took my baby runners on holiday with me and we all had a wonderful time.
Introduced them to my older drake and hen and after a rocky start they were becoming my happy flock family.
Last week I had them out in the garden and nipped next door. I came back to the awful sight of a fox killing my beautiful Esme.
Her sister Ethel was distraught and trying to be close to Jerry and Karen who being an old married couple, would not let her near.
Thought I was doing the best thing by finding another runner female to keep her company.
Now I have Jerry, Karen and my usually docile Ethel chasing and pecking my new runner Olive.
The old ducks are now letting Ethel into their prized pool which was a no go pool for any other duck. Poor Olive stands by the side looking longingly.
She did get in the other day but I thought Jerry and Karen would kill her they were chasing and pecking her so much.
Poor Olive is now the lonely duck. Ethel isn't too bad with her when they are in their own pen. But when she is with the others she is a real bully.
I am now feeling that perhaps I should not be keeping ducks.
I hurt too much losing Esme and now I have an unhappy flock.

 

[Marigold]

I'm so sorry to hear about all this, duggat, especially the fox attack, that must have been dreadful. I'm glad you were nearby, though or the fox might have had the lot. Can you increase security? He may well be back.
I don't know about integrating new ducks, but if it was chickens I would try penning her with Ethel and giving them a little pond to themselves for a week or so, until they have bonded, and then see if they can manage to live alongside Jerry and Karen as a pair, and eventually integrate. I hope a ""duck person" can advise!

 

[duggat]

Thanks Marigold, They do have a pool each in their own pens and pools outside in the garden. Poor Olive just wants to be with them, I am trying to get some electric fencing sorted but still feel that they will not be safe. The fox came at 3 in the afternoon when I thought they would be safe then.
They are very much my pets and I love them and get upset about them as I would a dog or cat. That is why I feel maybe I am not cut out to keep ducks that can be killed.

 

[Marigold]

I share your feelings, although my birds are chickens not ducks. I suppose the only way to overcome this worry is to have them in a really secure pen with a roof or weldmesh over the top. When I started up again with chickens a few years ago, at first I had them in a semi- secure pen and trusted to luck for a bit, but was constantly worried when I was out and got obsessive about going into the garden to count them, especially after going shopping! Now they're in a secure run, I can relax, and also feel safe when we go away and my friend looks after them for me. What they lose in freedom they gain in safety, in my opinion, and with a large enough run they are quite happy and friendly. I let them out in the garden sometimes when I'm actually out there with them, but I wouldn't do even this if they had been the target of a previous attack, as foxes aren't daft, they will always come back for a second helping I'm afraid, and in daylight, as you found. I'm so sorry about your loss and all the shock to both you and your ducks.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Steph! You are exactly the kind of person who should be keeping ducks!
Fox attacks are terrible, I lost one a few days before Christmas as the fox found a way through the fence, I then spent 3 days outside with them in the freezing bloody cold until I could get the fencing sorted after Christmas. I even spent Christmas Day sat with them, on my own with a book. (It was actually one of the best Christmas days I have had!).
Just get them safe and keep doing what you are doing, they are lucky to have you.
The way I see it, right or wrong, although horrific, a fix attack is actually a fairly quick way to go with little suffering compared to some illnesses and stressful vet trips resulting in euthanasia.
The attack will wise up your remaining ducks.
The new girl will settle in eventually, but it will take time, as all new things do with ducks. It gets better, hang in there!

Zo
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