1 duck gone - broad daylight

[shaunetteluv]

Help! Today I went in the house for a few minutes. My sweet feathered friends are in a secure fenced area. I head my chickens and guineas going crazy. I went to check on them. My single small wood duck was gone. Here is where it gets strange … no feathers.. no blood.. no break in the fence… the other 2 larger ducks were still there. All the babies were there.
1. What could it be?
2. How do I protect them?
She was the smaller adult I had. However, I do have chicks that were hatched on March 18- I had just started letting them run free with the others today? Should I return them to the covered run?

 

[Isadora]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I would think a hawk is the most likely culprit.

 

[shaunetteluv]

Is there anything you can do to keep the hawks out?

 

[SilverBirds]

Is the area covered? If not, I'd think a hawk. So sorry for your loss.

 

[Isadora]

Is there anything you can do to keep the hawks out?

A roof or netting over the run is the sure way. People use crisscrossed string with streamers or CDs to make the flight space non friendly, but with varying levels of success

 

[shaunetteluv]

Is the area covered? If not, I'd think a hawk. So sorry for your loss.

Part of it is covered, and part of it is not. They like to roam in the area that is not covered- shade tree… lots of dirt…

 

[SilverBirds]

@Isadora gave you good advice. Covering the run is your best bet to keeping them safe.