Need some quick advice please re ducks. Am worried.

[queenofwesteros]

I posted a couple of days ago and this was the issue:
We rescued 2 Muscovy chicks (well, I say chicks but they're bloody massive) from a sticky situation about 5-6 weeks ago when they were around 7 weeks old. However, they are brothers, and have started fighting, and one is very definitely bullying the other. So, while we have all fallen for these ducks because they are comical and fabulous, and we have a large back garden and we've given them a pool and a lovely shed to sleep in, I'm not sure it's an ideal situation for them and so I think I've just secured them a lovely new home in a family park along the road, where they have lots of farm animals and a huge duck pond and lots of females to "socialise" with.
Everything I've read suggests that keeping more than one male, if you've not got multiple females for them to get it on with, is asking for trouble. I posted because I felt guilty at rehoming them.
HOWEVER, we dropped the ducks off yesterday at the park. I didn't detect a whole lot of care and attention in the staff's attitude; fine, I thought I might have just been being a bit precious. However my house is just along the road, when I walk the dogs I can see them through the fence and I checked on them last night (they were huddled together miserably in the rain), this morning (still huddled) and we've just been to see them this afternoon (if we go through the car park we can talk to them through the fence) and they're still huddled in the same position as yesterday. They've no access to a pond where they are just now, there's nothing for them to root around for - to explain, the set up is that there is a kind of paddock with all sorts of geese and chickens where the public can go in and feed them. So lots of noise, lots going on. They have tucked themselves into this far away corner and looked not to have moved at all. I assumed they'd be put into the duck pond with the other ducks. I get the feeling that they've just been forgotten about.
I know I'm very probably overreacting and rambling a bit here, but I am worried for them. They're miserable. Do I go and get them back??

Yes. Poor little buggers

They at least need enough water to immerse their heads in.

Generally I would go for a duck to drake ration of at least 6:1 and not keep 2 drakes together.

I was in love with my muscovy girl.

I would pop by (unannounced) on the place on the pretext of just wanting to see them,and find out what the situation is.

Ok, so what I was thinking is that I could phone and say my kids are missing them too much and we want them back. Should I leave it another day or so just to see if they do start to settle though? I don't feel I can start telling the park staff that they're not treating them properly - they're supposed to be experts in animal keeping
In the meantime, if I do get them back...what do I do? We don't have the room really to get another 6 females. We have three dogs also which took to them surprisingly well (golden retrievers).

I'd take things one step at a time,and first of all find out what the score is.
Perhaps they've kept them separate to check they are healthy.
There may be a bigger picture -but I certainly think you should just check out what the plan is.
If you were to take them back you could google duck rescue if you can't keep them.

Thanks ThatBloodyWoman appreciate the quick advice. We certainly could keep them, just - would they be happy just two brothers on their own? They're very close despite the wee bit of fighting. I honestly thought I was doing the right thing for them putting them into a busier environment. I am getting ridiculously upset by this and didn't appreciate just how attached we'd become to these lovely wee critters. My 11 yo son is really missing them too

I can only talk from my experience and I'm by no means an expert.

My ideal would be one drake and around 6 ducks.

However,you may well find 2 drakes will live together -its quite possible.Time will tell if one will dominate the other.
What I would definitely not do is introduce one or two ducks to two drakes.

I've had more than one drake -but with ample ducks.I've never had drakes alone.

Regardless,I wouldn't write off the new home -just put your mind at rest (hopefully) over what's happening.

Oh dear, the plot thickens. My son and I went to see them this morning, they still weren't looking great and still in with the chickens etc. I spoke to reception, asked them to find out when the ducks were being shifted to the pond. Nobody had a clue. I explained politely that I was very concerned since they've not had access to water for 3 days. Still the blank looks. We were allowed into the park to see them and they came running towards us, shaking and shivering. We had to pay a pound to give them some food and they were absolutely ravenous . My son said "they don't like it here". I hadn't appreciated that they were going to be chased around by three year olds either as they were supposed to be in the pond . Not happy. I've left a message for the owner to contact me tomorrow but my gut instinct is just to get them back. Am I being a sentimental old fool??

Any updates? I keep thinking about the ducks, hope things have improved.

Yes indeedy!! The ducks are back!!
Yesterday morning we went back again to check on them, they were still looking utterly miserable and one had tucked himself into a bare patch of earth as far away as he could get from the crowds. I went straight to the manager and asked for them back. He really couldn't have cared less and just shrugged "fine". So me, husband and son hotfooted it out with the ducks before he could change his mind. Got them home where they spent half an hour just splashing around in their paddling pool cleaning themselves and eating...they were ravenous, the poor souls. They followed me around the rest of yesterday and today. Clearly they're very happy to be back and I'm so relieved to have them home .

Brilliant! Thanks for updating

Aw! I can just see them merrily splashing around in their pool, bless them

Thetruth yes, it concerns me too. And yes, I will.
Today, the ducks have learned to FLY .