BarbaraJ Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 My 22 yr old daughter came back with a DUCK, for my birthday apparently. they were told they could take it back if they needed to. OMG i couldn't say much but i hate getting something i know nothing about. the duck is a male, its been in with chickens where they bought it and they were told it needs a large dish/trough of water, will eat chicken food. We have put food and water down for it, put it in a cat basket in the run stuffed with hay. I'm tempted to ask them to go back and swap it for a girl before i get attached as apparently boys can mount hens (i've just read) and we could get eggs then. I don't want to upset her but i have no idea really if keeping 1 with my chickens is feasable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I have no idea either, but I bet that was a shock!.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 just a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I would take it back until I was fully prepared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 well yes that was my first thought, i don't buy things on impulse and i was cross but didn't like to get cross as she was so sure i'd like it I will broach the situation in the morning, its quite safe where it is at the moment and there wasn't much i could do at 7pm!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 OMG Leslie knows a lot about ducks, it also might be worth you popping into the duck section on here if you are not sure about anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 He might get amorous with your girls and hurt them, in time. I'd take him back, or get separate accommodation and a companion of his own type for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 yes i think taking him back would be the best option....kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 What a shame, they obviously thought they were doing a nice thing (which they did but just with no real thought ). Hope you manage to take it back OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 wow - bet you were speechless!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 wow - bet you were speechless!! never mind Barbara - I'm speechless! a lovely thought but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 The lady ducks are bit more noisy I understand????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I would say take it back as well A drake will probably start causing problems with your hens and I'm not sure a duck would be any better.........I keep mine separate, but I think there may be someone on here who has ducks in with hens........but probably more than just the one duck. Straw makes better bedding than hay - hay can cause problems for both ducks and hens and can cause impacted crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 We have 2 chickens and 2 ducks in together and they all get on perfectly-haven't had one cross look. I think it makes a nice variation to have them all in together. Duck would probably like a friend though so might be worth going to get a girl friend to keep him company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Great idea - instead of taking the duck back, get another one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Barbara I would get another duck to keep him company I do not know a lot about chickens, but have learnt a lot about ducks these past few years. My first ducks were a suprise birthday present!. . DH who hates gardening is down the bottom of the garden gardening and seeing to the duck pond, he fusses about the duck pond every day, he who has never done a manual days work in his life actually dug it the pond out himself!.Ducks need duck company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Ducks are lovely pets but agree the male shouldn't be left on his own with the hens. I would invest in at least one female.....although still you will need to watch him and incesent mounting can cause the females nerve damage, etc. I would think about it seriously before taking him back as you wouldn't want to regret it later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
