Coyotes came and attacked the coop. Took my two ducks.

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

Hello everybody, I am on vacation with my uncle for 15 days that started on June 1st. My mother and sister had stayed at home for the chickens, On one of the days I received a call from my sister saying that during the night a pack of 6 coyotes (or more) had came and broke into the coop because they left the gate open, MY rooster Rocky is a pretty defensive rooster and started flying around the coop trying to fight the coyotes that broke in and almost got injured, however the coyotes ran inside the coop and took my two ducks, a rouen named Margarito and a Cayuga named Abigail. There was a bunch of feathers all over the coop and the chickens were not injured, that's because my three dogs had ran at the coyotes and started fighting them, They killed 4 coyotes and we suspected two coyotes had grabbed the ducks and ran off with them, during the brawl my rooster Rocky had herded the hens onto the roosting bars as the coyotes fought the dogs, One of the dogs, my husky had been bitten badly, scratches blood and all, my other two dogs had ruffled fur, and bite marks, they had treated the dogs with medicine and took them to the vet to make sure no rabies were inflicted and they were taken care of. I am very saddened, my two ducks were my favorites and they were massive goofballs I miss their funny looks and how cute they were destroying the flowerbeds all of the time. The chickens were put into cages at night with water and food. And our dogs are making a fast recovery. The only problems are that the coyotes that gotten away may come back, the dogs are kept inside and monitored so we hope the cages will be enough. They are planning on putting some blanket or cloth over the cages just incase. Our only concerns are, will the coyotes come back? Should we make the coop more secure? Should we get more ducks? Etc etc. Rest in peace Margarito and Abigail, I miss you dearly.

 

[Debbie292d]

I am so sorry about the loss of your two ducks. Are you absolutely sure they couldn't have run or flown away?

I don't know what your setup is and you've made it sound like the coyotes could only get your ducks because a gate was left open. Is this a gate to a run that leads to the coop? I would make improvements using electric poultry netting and/or 1/2" hardware cloth.

Those coyotes will most certainly lurk around looking for another opportunity.

Again, so sorry! That whole ordeal sounds horrific.

 

[MayBerg]

I am so sorry about the loss of your two ducks. Are you absolutely sure they couldn't have run or flown away?

I don't know what your setup is and you've made it sound like the coyotes could only get your ducks because a gate was left open. Is this a gate to a run that leads to the coop? I would make improvements using electric poultry netting and/or 1/2" hardware cloth.

Those coyotes will most certainly lurk around looking for another opportunity.

Again, so sorry! That whole ordeal sounds horrific.

Oh noooo, I am sorry my dear. Try to see if you can secure the coop more.

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

I am so sorry about the loss of your two ducks. Are you absolutely sure they couldn't have run or flown away?

I don't know what your setup is and you've made it sound like the coyotes could only get your ducks because a gate was left open. Is this a gate to a run that leads to the coop? I would make improvements using electric poultry netting and/or 1/2" hardware cloth.

Those coyotes will most certainly lurk around looking for another opportunity.

Again, so sorry! That whole ordeal sounds horrific.

Feathers all over the place, Blood as well, MY ducks are not very good flyers, Margarito can only really glide down and Abigail can't even jump on a short cage, I doubt..

We will improve the pen and my information is limited because it's all my sister and mother told me.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am so sorry that you lost Margarito and Abigail. Your ducks were beauties, and I'm sure they will be sorely missed.

Predator attacks are so unsettling -- I've spent weeks convinced that every sound I heard was another critter trying to kill my birds. After a massacre by a mink, hardware cloth became my best friend, and I double check every coop door every night (because three hens died when I didn't remember to close one; the mink came in through a run that didn't have hardware cloth at the time).

I would expect the remaining coyotes to return, although coyotes are incredibly smart, and losing four pack members MIGHT be a bit of a deterrent.

Congrats to Rocky for taking care of the girls. They might all be traumatized and a bit unsettled for a while, but he kept them alive.

I hope your dogs recover completely.

And, in my opinion, yes. You should get more ducks -- messy, goofy, lovable ducks! They won't replace your girls, but I'd still do it.