A fox tried to take my Abbey

[Amiga]

I found my female duck Boots dead Friday after work. She had been attacked and her whole chest eaten. We have a 6 foot fence around the yard and I can't believe it happened. The only thing I can't think is it was a hawk or eagle? I'm so heartbroken. Now my other duck is alone and I worry something will happen to him. I feel so bad I couldn't protect her.

Very sorry for Boots' death. Predators return. Please secure your other duck, and yes, I would be looking for a buddy for him. Rather than worry, come up with a strategy. You have more resources than a predator does, though at times it may not feel like that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I found my female duck Boots dead Friday after work. She had been attacked and her whole chest eaten. We have a 6 foot fence around the yard and I can't believe it happened. The only thing I can't think is it was a hawk or eagle? I'm so heartbroken. Now my other duck is alone and I worry something will happen to him. I feel so bad I couldn't protect her.

So very sorry for the loss of Boots,

please look for some friends for your lone duck now and keep him/her safe. there is always something wanting to eat our flock. Try looking here on the animals free rehoming or the buy sell tread thread. or go to Where am I where are you, look up your state and post there if anyone has any ducks for free or sale.

 

[Jessica89]

Oh I am so so sorry...
I am terrified a fox will get my ducks!
I keep mine in the enclosure but I have let them out to free roam the garden for an hour because they really enjoy it!!
Will a fox kill them in the daylight? Should I put them back in their enclosure?

 

[Amiga]

Around here foxes have been known to attack in daylight.

 

[Jessica89]

Maybe I should take them back in.. They love having a good forage around. Horrible foxes

 

[lovinmyducks]

Yes I now need to find a new home for my other duck so he won't be alone. I feel so bad for him. She was all he knew for a companion. I know I could get another duck but I just can't handle the pain of losing them. I know people here on this post probably don't live in Lincoln, Nebraska but any suggestions for where to find a good home? I'm hoping for a place where he would be more of a pet than just another farm animal. I have spoiled him a bit

Here is a picture of him.
This is a picture of the both of them together when they were still getting their grown-up duck feathers! I miss her so much.

 

[Amiga]

There is a Where Am I Where Are You forum, you can probably find a thread for your area, and a Free Rehoming forum where you can post.

Again, sad for your loss.

 

[Kleonaptra]

The foxes that came into our house yard only did so in full dark. I had one come up the driveway on a misty rainy day. It really helps to understand more about the predator/prey relationship - any time there is reduced visibility, a fox feels it is a good time to hunt because it is easier. I was furious with the fox that took my Talli, she was so precious, my first rescued duckling, at 5yrs had a broken wing (from dogs) that got amputated, lived through that to live another 5 years....And move in here and get eaten. I swore I would kill it when I found it. But then I saw him and he was beautiful and I couldnt hate him, I knew he was just doing his best to survive and it was my fault for leaving them out in the dark. Talli was born wild and I felt to her that was more natural than slowly dying of old age, and at least the foxes use their whole kill and dont do it for fun...Like the dogs that attacked killing my goose and Talli's mother Gwen when Talli's wing got broken.

I also need the rabbits controlled....So he is welcome to stalk those. More than welcome, just stay off the ducks! Not that my big girls would mind too terribly if Thorne got chomped...

Abbey's doing well today. He has a nasty swelling at the base of his neck that Im going to have to look at, it might be a haematoma. He spent the night in the big shed, he's not the type of duck that takes handling well. He's eating and drinking and stretching his neck a lot more. He hasnt had a swim but I saw him sitting on the pond steps desperately wanting one.

Here's another reason I thought my yard was fox proof. A few nights ago I worked late and didnt get home till 11:30. My partner told me he hadnt been able to find Shiela even though I told him where to look. I was utterly terrified and sure she wouldnt be there when I got home. Not only was she safely tucked in under the geranium, my partner had not seen Wist in the dark and left him out! As I put them both in the shed I thought surely, if foxes were able to get in they would have taken them both, they were ungaurded in the dark for hours.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I now need to find a new home for my other duck so he won't be alone. I feel so bad for him. She was all he knew for a companion. I know I could get another duck but I just can't handle the pain of losing them. I know people here on this post probably don't live in Lincoln, Nebraska but any suggestions for where to find a good home? I'm hoping for a place where he would be more of a pet than just another farm animal. I have spoiled him a bit

Here is a picture of him.
This is a picture of the both of them together when they were still getting their grown-up duck feathers! I miss her so much.

He's so pretty, here's the Nebraska thread link... heres hoping you find him a great home and again very sorry for your loss https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/172734/nebraskans-speak-up-nebraska-rocks/770

 

[lovinmyducks]

Thank you so muck for the link. I couldn't find it when I looked. Hopefully I will find a loving home very soon.

He's so pretty, here's the Nebraska thread link... heres hoping you find him a great home and again very sorry for your loss  https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/172734/nebraskans-speak-up-nebraska-rocks/770