Ducks freaking out

[NorthernHydde]

I'm sitting outside in this pen we have for my Muscovy ducklings Aflac and flo, they're usually calm but once it got dark (I don't usually stay out this late but its not cold) and they started freaking out, sticking their heads out of the wire, chirping loudly, and pacing I don't see anything is it just the dark? I don't want to cause them unnecessary stress but I don't understand what this could be

 

[Callender Girl]

My runners often get unnecessarily chatty after dark, but they don't freak out. I wonder if your ducklings heard or saw something scary? That's what I would guess if it just happened one time. Hope they -- and you -- are feeling better today.

 

[GranderTheGander]

Maybe they have seen something in the dark, like a predator. Depending on what wire you have, predators like raccoons will try to stick their hands through wire openings and grab birds. Pens without tops or only wire tops are scary at night, too, since predators can climb on tops or over wire sides. Is there a duck house in the pen for them to get into? Sticking their heads out the wire and chirping loudly does suggest they want to run or fly away, because they are frightened.