That is the down side to having any animials. Where we live now i at least have my sis in law, we do chores for each other occasionally. But we both have a busy life and sometimes things come up when she isn't available or vice versa.
Unfortunately i have my first house sparrow show up to bother the Martins.
And now the Martins are fighting with the bluebirds that took up residence in the other Martin house. 🤨
They weren't doing that before this sparrow showed up. I think the sparrow started it.
Sorry you lost one. 😮💨
I know it's frustrating.
Anything can happen wether your brooding or letting them raise them. I've even had two cayugas that were co- brooding try to rip a duckling apart when it hatched.
Agree with all the above except for the drake part. That is not always the way. Sometimes a drake will even harass the mom on the nest to get her off of it cause he's horny.
Sometimes drakes will harass or kill ducklings.
And even if it goes well for 2 or 3 weeks when they get a little bit...
That's what made me think you have 4 foot predators and not arial ones. Hawks will a lot of times pluck feathers of a bird before eating.
I'm not sure about those vultures though.
And then perhaps with yours being free ranged they may have chased the ducks to a far enough location before they...