Donald!!! - Gone without a trace…

[CrystaBub]

 

[DuckyDonna]

But it isn't a duck

Picky picky picky!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I guess I am lol

 

[CrystaBub]

I guess I am lol

I like the word discerning better - has a more positive connotation!

Now I ask again - where is that @WannaBeHillBilly!?!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Sorry for the wait, friends!
The good news first: This morning a coyote was shot and killed in the next valley while trying to break into a chicken-pen.
I had a busy day today, physical therapy (Ouch!!!), then shopping lumber for Duck Knox.
When i came back home and opened the garage door, ducklings came out! They removed the clips, pulled the tarp back inside their brooder and chewed through the cardboard. Luckily all 14 are accounted for, had to rescue one out of a box with Christmas decoration (now full of poop). Fortunately they haven't found the chain-saw, the machete, circular saw and the huge box of nails and screws. (!!!)
Long story short, they had to go outside today, it is too dangerous for them to roam in our garage. Update on that later in the Ducklings thread, video is being compressed and uploading…
So no further incidents with predators last night and tomorrow i will start securing the duck-house.

 

[Mademoiselle_JubJub]

I’m not sure if this will help or hinder, but I had a similar experience with a large duck disappearing seemingly without a trace. In my case it was an large owl that absconded with my duck, and left the other 13 scared of the outdoors. The ducks were in a fenced area with ready access to their coop. The only proof that I had was the faint wing tip impression in the snow, and that the wretch tried to snack on my schnauzer a few days later. I now have netting over the entire duck run, which seems to have deterred further duck snacking. I hope this helps and doesn’t make an unfortunate situation more confusing.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They come down close in the woods behind our home and the property we have fenced for the birds. But thank goodness have never seen one inside the fencing. But boy when they get started howling it's is so creepy. I've seen them running across the dirt road past our home too. They are hunted big time here hated by goat and sheep farmers.

They have learned not to howl here! Would they, it would be like: »Howl! Howl!« - »Bang! Bang!« - »Squeak! Squeak!« - So told me the neighbor…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I’m not sure if this will help or hinder, but I had a similar experience with a large duck disappearing seemingly without a trace. In my case it was an large owl that absconded with my duck, and left the other 13 scared of the outdoors. The ducks were in a fenced area with ready access to their coop. The only proof that I had was the faint wing tip impression in the snow, and that the wretch tried to snack on my schnauzer a few days later. I now have netting over the entire duck run, which seems to have deterred further duck snacking. I hope this helps and doesn’t make an unfortunate situation more confusing.

I agree with you! I'm still not sold on the coyote theory and i have seen owls in the area, just not close to my house. Netting is not an option, the area the ducks are roaming is far too large, but i will install those reflecting predator-tapes between the house, the duck-house, the work-platform and some trees. It is a cat'n mouse game…

 

[CrystaBub]

Well thank you for the update - glad the ducks are all ok! I can sleep now