swallow_tattoo Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 I very much hope someone will be able to help this clueless duck lover. I live on a riverside and am very fond of three ducks who live under my window. They (to my untrained eye) are a female Indian Runner, a large male mallard cross and a large female Aylesbury. Over the recent mating season the IR and Mallard were protective over the Aylesbury but she only seemed to lay a few eggs which she immediately abandoned. Now the other two seemed to have abandoned my lovely fat Aylesbury and she seems very distressed. She seems starving when I go down to feed her, is over-grooming herself and doesn't seem to be able to sit down (whereas previously she was a total couch potato). She's also started quacking constantly which she didn't used to. Maybe this behaviour is normal and I shouldn't worry, but I'd hate to think she was unwell or in distress and I didn't do anything. Really grateful for any light anyone could shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi do you think maybe a fox has taken the other 2 as indian runners cant fly do you know where these ducks have come from as if your description is correct maybe somebody got fed up with them and let them go the one that is left will be very lonely and will be stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swallow_tattoo Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi, thanks for your reply. No the other two are still around. They just aren't hanging out with their old buddy anymore. I did wonder if her new constant quacking might be her calling to them be my friend again" or the equivalent in duck language. Also she hasn't been in the river for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi she will be calling them because when any of mine wander out of sight someone will call them back all you can do is watch and hopefully they will come back maybe she goes on the river when your not looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I very much hope someone will be able to help this clueless duck lover. I live on a riverside and am very fond of three ducks who live under my window. They (to my untrained eye) are a female Indian Runner, a large male mallard cross and a large female Aylesbury. Over the recent mating season the IR and Mallard were protective over the Aylesbury but she only seemed to lay a few eggs which she immediately abandoned. Now the other two seemed to have abandoned my lovely fat Aylesbury and she seems very distressed. She seems starving when I go down to feed her, is over-grooming herself and doesn't seem to be able to sit down (whereas previously she was a total couch potato). She's also started quacking constantly which she didn't used to. Maybe this behaviour is normal and I shouldn't worry, but I'd hate to think she was unwell or in distress and I didn't do anything. Really grateful for any light anyone could shed! Aylesburys are not good egg sitters(broodys) so if the eggs are not being sat on may be best to remove them...?? Unless there is a fox around they can be quite noisey ducks with quacking usually calling or alarm. Hope she is ok now indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
