“Duckling” is gone 🙁

[FriendlyWyandotte]

I have 4 “ducklings”(think they are all females) and 3 ducks (2 males, 1 female) and they are all in the same coop. The reason I call them “ducklings” is because they are still smaller then my adult ducks and much younger. Anyway, in the morning, a “duckling” was missing. Some feathers (there were a bit of feathers in the coop already but there might of been some new ones added as there were a lot?) Also I am very sure it didn’t wonder off as the “ducklings” go everywhere together. They stay so close, when they run to get some food or something, they would sometimes trip on each other!
My question for you guys: what took my “duckling”?

 

[Lucasstricker]

I have 4 “ducklings”(think they are all females) and 3 ducks (2 males, 1 female) and they are all in the same coop. The reason I call them “ducklings” is because they are still smaller then my adult ducks and much younger. Anyway, in the morning, a “duckling” was missing. Some feathers (there were a bit of feathers in the coop already but there might of been some new ones added as there were a lot?) Also I am very sure it didn’t wonder off as the “ducklings” go everywhere together. They stay so close, when they run to get some food or something, they would sometimes trip on each other!
My question for you guys: what took my “duckling”?

Imo if feathers are scattered a predator is the first thing that comes to mind. If you live in an area with minks I've had one kill only 1 bird and drag it out of the pen (that's how I found it's entry point). Is that a possibility? And I'm sorry that happened.

 

[Isadora]

I have 4 “ducklings”(think they are all females) and 3 ducks (2 males, 1 female) and they are all in the same coop. The reason I call them “ducklings” is because they are still smaller then my adult ducks and much younger. Anyway, in the morning, a “duckling” was missing. Some feathers (there were a bit of feathers in the coop already but there might of been some new ones added as there were a lot?) Also I am very sure it didn’t wonder off as the “ducklings” go everywhere together. They stay so close, when they run to get some food or something, they would sometimes trip on each other!
My question for you guys: what took my “duckling”?

Assuming it was a predator, we need a little bit more information. Do you have pictures of your setup to share? Are they securely penned up at night?

 

[FriendlyWyandotte]

Imo if feathers are scattered a predator is the first thing that comes to mind. If you live in an area with minks I've had one kill only 1 bird and drag it out of the pen (that's how I found it's entry point). Is that a possibility? And I'm sorry that happened.

Thanks for your reply. I don’t think it was a mink but it is a possibility.

 

[FriendlyWyandotte]

Assuming it was a predator, we need a little bit more information. Do you have pictures of your setup to share? Are they securely penned up at night?

I sure do have photos


They sleep in here at night (now) but I don’t know if they did that night. I only started locking the trailer door and making sure their all in after the incident.

So there’s a little area I have for my small ducklings but I don’t have any now so I keep the gate there open.

Here’s the back gate. I open it to let my ducks have a swim in the dam.

And here’s a photo of my ducks, 5 Pekins (I used to have 6) and 1 Indian runner.

 

[Isadora]

It looks like you're outdoor pen is really not predator-proof at all. That chicken wire is good for keeping your ducks contained but doesn't do much for keeping predators out.
Since you found no trace of your duck, my thought was either coyote or Fox, But of course we don't have a way of knowing for sure.
My recommendation would be to get them a secure run. Perhaps installing cameras if you want to ID the predator.
I'm so sorry you lost one of your ducks. They're all really special.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. I would put a camera up and see what is lurking. I have several cameras on my property and often see predators on them especially at night when they roam here. Since something probably made a kill, it will be back. Good luck...