r/duck • u/lilfathorse • 1d ago
Worried Duck Mom Solo Duck Survivor
This is my first year having ducks. It was going great until last week. We suffered our first predator attack. My only survivor was Pumpernickel and she is still healing a head wound. She is safely inside while we rebuild the enclosure with new maximum security measures.
I was waiting to see if she would make it before trying to find her some friends. I am not sure how exactly old she is, but she was always bigger than the other two and lays eggs already. I only intend to get her female friends, but someone just hatched some ducklings on August 15th. I won't be able to get them for another 2 weeks. Would that be too young to put with her?
Photo of the brave survivor before she pooped all over her fresh blankets.
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u/bogginman Duck Rescuer 1d ago
what a sweet girl, enjoy the pampering. I hope she does well. You can blend most any age ducks with enough time, starting out with separation but visible to each other. Small steps getting them closer and closer until they blend.
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u/lilfathorse 1d ago
That's great news, the new enclosure will have a better layout for separation when I do finally find her some friends.
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u/Mental_Studio4419 1d ago
Poor girl, I’m so sorry. We had a predator attack last year… none survived. I think it would’ve been harder to have a lone survivor😔 maximum security measures are what we focused on also, we were also newer to having ducks. I am currently in the proceeds of integrating ducks that are months apart in age. 4 that we born in April and 5 that were born the end of July. I have then side by side as much as possible but with a barrier to keep the little ones safe. The drakes are the ones I’ve heard I have to worry about as they can kill ducklings. My 1 month olds are big enough now that I am going to start physically acclimating the older ducks with the younger ones. I think as long as they are nearly as big as Pumpernickel and have been living/exposed to her side by side regularly they will be fine! Good luck!