Accepting ourselves after ducks die

[DellaMyDarling]

Aww, so sorry Mama!
I dived into this thread because we too lost a duck last night. Thought my fence had a weakness I should fix, but turns out fox don't need to exploit weaknesses. Fox pulled half my duck straight through chain link. That's about the best fencing possible for animals, and it wasn't enough. Sometimes, there's nothing more within your power to do and we can just face the losses in nature.
Fox likely has kits to feed. Circle of life

 

[Duck Hill]

We all use our best judgment about these things. Judgment is based on our assessment of probability and our risk tolerance. It is impossible to eliminate all risk. Wherever we decide to park on that continuum, an adverse result is always a possibility. To act to limit risk is to say NO to other opportunities that would use the same time and resources.

Thank you for that very thoughtful assessment! You are right. Sometimes I think that if only I did not make any mistakes, no duck would die. But that is not realistic. As you say, it is impossible to eliminate all risk. And sometimes by eliminating risk, we do lose out on other things.

One example of this that comes to mind: I love to take photos of my ducks. Sometimes I take a duck out into the wild world out there (not their pen), and set them in a photogenic place, and take pictures.

I have not yet lost a duck while taking pictures, and I have had some great adventures. I have gone to places like downtown, the mountains, and more. But accidents remain a very real possibility. Yet if I did not take these pictures, a lot would be lost, too. Not only would I not have the adventures and the cool duck pictures, but also the special relationship between me and the duck would not happen.

 

[MallardMomx2]

I’m so so sorry for your losses. Being a duck mama is the absolute best until tough times like this come around. Thinking of you

 

[Duck Hill]

I want to thank everyone for their support. It really helps.

 

[happy duck]

Hugs from the whole flock of BYC So hard losing ones that we love...I hope you feel rest and peace.

 

[chkva]

I'm very sorry for your loss. The guilt will never go unfortunately, but just remember that you were doing the best job taking care of them. No one would expect what happened to you while shopping to happen, I'm sure you're not alone on this.

I left my baby chicks with my chickens last week and came home to find my favorite one missing. The chickens were great with them... There was no body and we search everywhere to see where she got out. Lesson learned...

Your heart is broken, but know that we are all here for you through this sadness!