Disappearing Ducks!!

[Agwhite]

What kind of animal would take 2 ducks during the day and not leave a single feather? I had a flock of 10 and 2 of them were missing. I would check on them constantly throughout the day and watch from the windows for predators. They were fine all day and no predator showed up. My last time checking on them was at 4:30pm. When I went to lock them up at 6:00pm I only counted 8. They didn’t seem to be scared, they were all acting normal as if nothing happened. I searched the yard and didn’t see anything or hear them calling. This all happened in the span of an hour. I was in and out of the house doing yard work so I think my scent would deter most predators. I like to let my ducks free range during the day so I really need to find out what predator I’m dealing with so I can keep the rest safe. I always lock them up at dusk and have never lost any to predators. We have a large pond that the ducks can swim on but they usually spend most of the day foraging and never leave far from the house. I don’t know what could’ve gotten them. All I can think is that a neighbor’s pet was let loose into my yard while I wasn’t aware or they just got curious and wondered away from the flock. Would a fox hunt during the day? Thanks

 

[Brooke_R]

What kind of animal would take 2 ducks during the day and not leave a single feather? I had a flock of 10 and 2 of them were missing. I would check on them constantly throughout the day and watch from the windows for predators. They were fine all day and no predator showed up. My last time checking on them was at 4:30pm. When I went to lock them up at 6:00pm I only counted 8. They didn’t seem to be scared, they were all acting normal as if nothing happened. I searched the yard and didn’t see anything or hear them calling. This all happened in the span of an hour. I was in and out of the house doing yard work so I think my scent would deter most predators. I like to let my ducks free range during the day so I really need to find out what predator I’m dealing with so I can keep the rest safe. I always lock them up at dusk and have never lost any to predators. We have a large pond that the ducks can swim on but they usually spend most of the day foraging and never leave far from the house. I don’t know what could’ve gotten them. All I can think is that a neighbor’s pet was let loose into my yard while I wasn’t aware or they just got curious and wondered away from the flock. Would a fox hunt during the day? Thanks

Honestly it could be a bunch of different things. A coyote, bob cat, fox, dog, maybe a big bird like an eagle. I think foxes hunt during the day, I’m not totally sure though. I’m sorry for your losses

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Fox most likely.

 

[SilverBirds]

Where they females? They could have hidden a nest somewhere... A fox took four of my ducks in one night. And right now they are hunting extra to feed their kits so they hunt during the day too. A fox will leave little to no traces.

 

[Agwhite]

Where they females? They could have hidden a nest somewhere... A fox took four of my ducks in one night. And right now they are hunting extra to feed their kits so they hunt during the day too. A fox will leave little to no traces.

No they’re still young and not laying yet so it couldn’t be that.

 

[SilverBirds]

No they’re still young and not laying yet so it couldn’t be that.

Then I think a fox may have taken them

 

[SilverBirds]

Whatever it was keep your ducks locked up because the predator will be back. You don't want to lose any more birds. So sorry about your ducks

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Whatever it was keep your ducks locked up because the predator will be back. You don't want to lose any more birds. So sorry about your ducks

YES! THIS!!! ^^^
I've had this happen with my ducks before. I lost 2 drakes like this. The first drake was taken by a dog and there was a feather trail. That was a young jumbo Pekin drake. Many months later I also had a domestic Mallard Drake to disappear one evening, right before lock up. I saw him as the sun was beginning to go down but he vanished in that short amount of time. I am sure that he was taken by a hawk or an owl. There was no signs of an attack anywhere. A day or two later I found A single wing feather, but I really don't know if it was his. The two ducks he was with didn't act like anything was wrong until the next day. I noticed them trying to hide out on the pond while watching the skies like I've never seen before. They don't get to enjoy the pond anymore unfortunately and don't free range either. I had a hawk attack one of my chickens right before sunset in February and it was dark before it left, so a hawk is possible, even that late. I hope you're able to figure it out and keep your ducks safe. I'm so sorry for your losses. I will hold out hope that you'll find them or they'll come home Either way, if it was a predator, it will be back.

 

[Agwhite]

YES! THIS!!! ^^^
I've had this happen with my ducks before. I lost 2 drakes like this. The first drake was taken by a dog and there was a feather trail. That was a young jumbo Pekin drake. Many months later I also had a domestic Mallard Drake to disappear one evening, right before lock up. I saw him as the sun was beginning to go down but he vanished in that short amount of time. I am sure that he was taken by a hawk or an owl. There was no signs of an attack anywhere. A day or two later I found A single wing feather, but I really don't know if it was his. The two ducks he was with didn't act like anything was wrong until the next day. I noticed them trying to hide out on the pond while watching the skies like I've never seen before. They don't get to enjoy the pond anymore unfortunately and don't free range either. I had a hawk attack one of my chickens right before sunset in February and it was dark before it left, so a hawk is possible, even that late. I hope you're able to figure it out and keep your ducks safe. I'm so sorry for your losses. I will hold out hope that you'll find them or they'll come home Either way, if it was a predator, it will be back.

I thought hawks find the nearest tree to pluck and eat right where they catch something. And would a hawk kill 2 birds at the same time?

 

[salshep20]

I thought hawks find the nearest tree to pluck and eat right where they catch something. And would a hawk kill 2 birds at the same time?

Since they are young its very likely it was a hawk! Because I lost 2 goslings to a hawk! Keep them locked up or be out to watch them otherwise your going to be loosing more! All that put into these birds costs so add it up and figure out how much more you want to loose.