2 Muscovy ducks gone during day...

[Onlyducks]

If they were able to fly, why do you believe something "got them" versus they just flew away? I don't understand. If they disappeared at the same time, flying away is the most likely cause. Predators, unless it's a pack of them, rarely take two animals at one time.

(I would rule out hawk or owl due to the size difference and two missing at the same time, but during the daytime does not rule out an owl. I have a picture of an owl with a full-grown cat snatched in broad daylight.)

 

[horsesandboots]

If they were able to fly, why do you believe something "got them" versus they just flew away?  I don't understand. If they disappeared at the same time, flying away is the most likely cause.  Predators, unless it's a pack of them, rarely take two animals at one time.

(I would rule out hawk or owl due to the size difference and two missing at the same time, but during the daytime does not rule out an owl.  I have a picture of an owl with a full-grown cat snatched in broad daylight.)

I agree I would rule out predator because two went missing at the same time!
But I wouldn't rule out a predator due to size.
My friend had a hawk come in and take one of her full grown Rhode Isand Red pullets.

Did you fine them yet?

 

[Onlyducks]

I should not have included hawks in the equation. I am curious if when a hawk takes a chicken, does it take away and you never find it? The reason I'm curious is I have known several people with small dogs who had them grabbed by a hawk, but the hawk gave up and dropped the dog in a very short time. It's does damage to the dog, but the dogs generally survived.

 

[horsesandboots]

I should not have included hawks in the equation.  I am curious if when a hawk takes a chicken, does it take away and you never find it?  The reason I'm curious is I have known several people with small dogs who had them grabbed by a hawk, but the hawk gave up and dropped the dog in a very short time.  It's does damage to the dog, but the dogs generally survived.  

Hmmmm. Good question.
I believe you when you say a little dog was taken by a hawk. Happens with chihuahuas!!!

 

[Smartconnect]

If a Bald eagle can only carry about 4 lbs. then a bird of prey didn't carry off a full grown muscovy drake (10-12lbs). Also, 'full grown pullet' is an oxymoron.

 

[horsesandboots]

If a Bald eagle can only carry about 4 lbs. then a bird of prey didn't carry off a full grown muscovy drake (10-12lbs). Also, 'full grown pullet' is an oxymoron.

I was very specific when I said a full grown RIR pullet. As opposed to saying a full grown pullet which could have meant any type of chicken!!!!!!!!!!! It happens whether you believe so or not.

 

[Onlyducks]

If a Bald eagle can only carry about 4 lbs. then a bird of prey didn't carry off a full grown muscovy drake (10-12lbs). Also, 'full grown pullet' is an oxymoron.

A bald eagle can lift at least half its weight and they weigh 8 to 15 pounds. Part of the "confusion" here is how much can they pick up versus how much can they carry off. I have seen bald eagles haul off 7 or 8 lb jackrabbits. They don't fly far with them—once the prey is dead, they just drop down and eat it on the ground.

Weight lifted also depends on the wind. With more lift, they can grab and carry off large prey. Again, they don't fly miles with it, just far enough to land and finish it off.

 

[Smartconnect]

I was very specific when I said a full grown RIR pullet. As opposed to saying a full grown pullet which could have meant any type of chicken!!!!!!!!!!! It happens whether you believe so or not.

A pullet is not a full grown chicken (no matter how many exclamation points are used).

 

[horsesandboots]

A pullet is not a full grown chicken (no matter how many exclamation points are used).

I know a pullet is a chicken under a year!!!!!!
I guess being a bantam owner I consider a RIR full grown pullet to be much larger than my birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was using those terms in comparison. I guess next time I need to be way more specific for people who are sooooo particular on how things are worded! Please excuse how I worded my comparison!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Smartconnect]

A bald eagle can lift at least half its weight and they weigh 8 to 15 pounds. Part of the "confusion" here is how much can they pick up versus how much can they carry off. I have seen bald eagles haul off 7 or 8 lb jackrabbits. They don't fly far with them—once the prey is dead, they just drop down and eat it on the ground.

Weight lifted also depends on the wind. With more lift, they can grab and carry off large prey. Again, they don't fly miles with it, just far enough to land and finish it off.

Not according to this: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle3.html
Or this: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=343
Or this: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/eagle.aspx
Or this: http://www.ccbbirds.org/what-we-do/research/species-of-concern/virginia-eagles/facts-about-eagles/

Again, a full grown Muscovy drake is 10 - 15 lbs and no trace was found.