Can't emphasize enough...Lock them in at dusk, don't let them out until mid morning!

[RPAtkins12]

I can't emphasize enough...Lock them in a coop or house at night and don't let them out until mid morning! I have a small flock of ducks, one male, three females, mostly Khaki Campbell and one Indian Runner. Six weeks ago on a balmy night, just after integrating new ducklings into the flock, I let my guard down. I have a secure duck house on pavers, 1 inch fence covered in poultry netting that surrounds it with plenty of room for them. I did not lock them in the house that night as I saw them so peacefully sitting together with the new ducklings. I thought stupidly, I'd leave them out in the pen and not create any stress for the ducklings...I lost my favorite and best egg layer and the ducklings that night/early morning. It was devastating! What remained were down feathers and nothing else. I found the pen torn open and the surviving ducks hiding in shrubs and brush in the fenced in wooded area. I purchased a Bushnell night vision camera to see who my predator was...here's the result!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMI5whUgwxk&feature=youtu.be

I will never leave my ducks outside overnight but lock them safely in the duck house!

 

[MountainOrchard]

Great footage! Yikes. I'm so sorry you lost those ducks. Foxes are sneaky!

 

[aart]

So the footage was his return to the scene of the crime?

 

[RPAtkins12]

Yes it was! I know we have possum, raccoons, skunks, crows, heck, a red tail hawk took one of my ducks last fall, the very day the last leaves in the wooded area dropped from the trees and shrubs in the beginning of November. That hawk hung around for three weeks! I never thought of the migration patterns or times for raptors. This fall I will be prepared and keep them in the pen! But I wasn't sure if it was a raccoon or fox...I'm glad I know now. Although the pen was torn open and I don't know how he gained entry before tearing everything apart, I keep my ducks locked in now-no exception!

 

[thomasboyle]

Very sorry for your losses.

 

[RPAtkins12]

Thanks for that note! When I bought my first ducklings in 2013, I never thought I'd ever become attached to them. How wrong I was! I love having my ducks, not just for their eggs, which are great by the way! I love their antics, how they respond to my voice, they are funny and silly, especially the Indian Runner. This spring three ducklings hatched and it was just great! Great until that morning...I felt such regret for not locking them inside the duck house...it was a big lesson learned!

 

[RPAtkins12]

It seems you have some great experience with keeping predators out so I've been thinking...since I didn't have the camera to film he original visit from the fox and the attack-gee, I'm glad I didn't have to see the assault on my duck and ducklings though- what can I learn to do better? Yes, lock them in the house at night but how did the fox get in my "secure" duck pen? Was it the fact that the ducks were just inches away on the other side of the fence that drove him crazy? Should I electrify the pen to prevent it? Would that keep a fox out if the pen if I left them in the penned in area overnight? What can I do better? Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[welasharon]

Poultry fencing will not keep any predators out. Nor will chicken wire. The best materials to use are either 2x4 fencing with hardware cloth along the bottom or all hardware cloth.

 

[aart]

Obviously it wasn't 'secure'...I can't really see what it is you have on the video......looks like some metal fencing and some chicken wire.
You couldn't tell where it got in after the attack?

If you post pics of the pen, I'm sure you will get some suggestions.....electric is very effective against fox if well placed and powered by an adequate charger.

 

[RonP]

I was losing the battle with mother nature all too often.

I finally gave up and built a run as secure as the pen.

No more free range, but I sleep better.