Dead Duck : ' (

[cluckcluckgirl]

I went in the run this morning to let out our chickens and ducks. My 2 girl ducks came out , but not my boy. When I went in to see what he was doing, he was lying there- lifeless.

No blood, no suspicious behavior, nothing. He was acting like himself the night before. What could have caused this?

 

[BarredRockGirls]

awww im so sorry! sometimes things just happen. im so sorry for your loss

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only way to know for sure would be examination inside and out, be sure to check for wounds ect, so you will know for sure no pred got to him.. And very sorry for your loss.

 

[TruBluCG]

I am so sorry!! I have heard of sudden death in ducks before, unfortunately. I am really sorry for your loss :-(

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

Thanks. I was just clueless because I heard that ducks were disease resistant, so I didn't know. But I think it may be like TruBluCG said- sudden death.

 

[desertdarlene]

What kind of duck was he? I know Pekins sometimes suffer sudden death because they are bred to be meat birds and that sometimes causes certain problems. Other meat birds have similar problems.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[countrygirl74]

How old was he? Did he eat anything different? Access to anything moldy?

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

He just had normal food. They go through all the food before anything gets moldy. Anything he eats his lady ducks eat too, and they seem fine. He was a mallard, 13 months old.

 

[3rdGenFarmer]

This morning went to check up on my four week old ducklings and found two deAd. One missing a head and the other seemed fine. 3 survived but lost the two. Have chicken wire surrounding their coop. Would a hawk do this?

 

[Amiga]

This morning went to check up on my four week old ducklings and found two deAd. One missing a head and the other seemed fine. 3 survived but lost the two. Have chicken wire surrounding their coop. Would a hawk do this?

Have you tried the Predators and Pests Forum? They are pretty good at analyzing what the predator was.

Do they have a secure shelter at night? Had you seen them earlier in the day? Chicken wire is better for keeping ducks in than keeping predators out. Raccoons will reach through the wire and pull the duckling out piece by piece.

Very sad for your loss.