do birds of prey kill full grown ducks?

[beccaWA]

For the first time today, I let my almost-grown adolescent khaki campbells out onto the half acre that my chickens free range on. It's a very open area, with only trees on one end. I've never had any problems with Red tails taking my chickens, and they've been out and about for two years now.

But wow! I was actually in the coop cleaning it out with my teenage son, he shouted, "HAWK!" Lo and behold, the hawk was swooping for the flocks of ducks that were out in the open area! I yelled, and the hawk pulled up and flew away. I guess I can't let my ducks free range. Bummer. They were having so much fun!

Any suggestions? We have many redtails.

 

[Kleonaptra]

Mine free range in our house yard - the house is in the centre of about a quater acre. There is plenty of cover - the garage, carport, coop, bushes back decking. We have lots of local birds that warn when a hawk is about, as soon as they start shrieking the ducks all take cover. My crows are priceless, the youngest comes down every day for scraps and leftover eggs and he and his family chase off any raptors. I know theres risk, but I believe if you are tuned in to your environment then you can just know when somethings up and be there to stop an attack. I cant count the times Ive fled outside just on the 'feeling' something aint right and lo and behold theres a raptor swooping in.

After so much failure, the ones in our territory really dont bother my ducks anymore. There are other properties not as well gaurded.

 

[dcrumrin]

Not sure what kind it is, maybe a Cooper's or Goshawk, but it hung around all spring trying to get the duck it lost when I went outside and scared it. It's a huge bird and I am guessing 4ft wingspan. I got a kennel with a roof and that's where the ducks go when I leave.

 

[BarneyChick97]

I have this contraption we made up of pvc and chicken wire. We made it for the chickens, but our ducks rotate through them too. We have one that is smaller than this one also. In this large one, we can fit a small kiddie pool, and there is plenty of room to move around. I move it almost every day. I don't let my ducks out anymore, unless I'm prepared to babysit them. They forage with their heads in the mud most of the time, and don't pay that much attention. I have red tails, and eagles that fly over each and every day. Two of our 3 ducks are white, and I don't think that works to their advantage either.