duck dying

[Sandykbo]

Came home to find a female Peking duck dead in the coop,when I went to let them out. They share the coop with our chickens. The male ducks have been very aggressive lately, we think there is 3 female and three male. it was hot today,and they were let out a little later because of work, I am not sure what killed her. The mood of the chickens as well as the ducks,was very different, you could tell that they new something was wrong. I'm concerned, they have a run attached to the coop, but we do not let them out before we go to work because we leave at 3:30 am and were worried about dangers from raccoon or other animals. should we let them out some times i can not let them out until 12:00.. I need advise, should they be ok if we open the coop that early in the morning?

 

[Amiga]

I would secure the run, or if it's too large, make a smaller secure run.

What were the temperatures today?

You also have too many drakes, and if they have been aggressive, they may have ganged up on her and killed her. You need to separate the drakes - they will go after chickens, too.

 

[Sandykbo]

it was in the 80's today but it has been that temp before. the amount of female to drakes was the way it worked out, weren't sure what they were when purchased. the run is fenced and a foot of fencing in the ground, also fencing over the top, just had a fear it was not secure enough. 12 foot by 22 foot.

 

[Orca5094]

Would you be able to put electric fencing around the outside of their pen for some extra protection? Then I would feel comfortable letting them out before you leave for work (wow, that is early!). Noon is much too late in the day to be letting them out, it's just too hot to be cooped up in that.

During the winter I have to put my ducks out in their yard at 6:30am, the sun doesn't start to come up until around 8:30am so they are in complete darkness until that time. With the electric fence I have around their yard they stayed safe all winter. No predators have gotten into my duck yards yet (knock on wood). So I would think your birds would also be safe being out very early, so long as they have some electric fence to keep out the dangerous predators that might still be out hunting at that hour.

 

[Sandykbo]

Thanks we do have the fencing that could be put in place , that would be good, this would put me more at eases, thank again

 

[jducour]

I hate to say it, but you need to find new homes for one or two of your drakes. Especially if you aren't going to replace your female. 3:2 is an even more dangerous drake to duck ratio than the 3:3 you originally had. They may also start trying to mate with your chickens, which is even more deadly. That is why it was suggested you have too many drakes. Most of us here have had to rehome drakes too, unless you can house them separately it isn't wise to keep them all.