Ducks upset

[laurenluckyriri]

I have two (pekin?) ducks and a few weeks ago their friend was eaten by a raccoon and the morning I found him these two were obviously distraught and wouldn't let me go near them. They have since warmed up to me and follow me everywhere, let me pet them and pick them up and get excited to see me. This morning I went down to the coop and they were LOSING it, would not let me touch them- ran away and seemed terrified of me and I have no idea why! Is it possible that they got spooked last night and that's why they're acting so weird? They're very loving ducks and the only time they've been this way is when their friend was eaten

 

[pattyhen]

I can understand why they would be upset after seeing their friend eatten by a raccoon. Is it possible that the raccoon returned and was trying to get to them? I think something has scared them and they are reacting to that. Is the coop or enclosure secure? If the raccoon got one duck he maybe after the remaining ones.

 

[lonebluetear]

Sounds like the racoon which ate your duck is coming back for more, as it's now known food source. Though I live in the city, I keep mine in a totally enclosed coop inside one of their runs at night. No way is anything getting into the run (super secure cause I'm paranoid) OR the coop.

The only thing I HAVE to make sure of is to open it up first thing in the a.m., as no food or water is ever allowed in the coop (for sanitation purposes).

I'd just make sure and put them in an enclosed coop at night, then open it in the a.m. That way nothing can harm them. Otherwise, they're helpless.

 

[laurenluckyriri]

I can understand why they would be upset after seeing their friend eatten by a raccoon.  Is it possible that the raccoon returned and was trying to get to them?  I think something has scared them and they are reacting to that.  Is the coop or enclosure secure?  If the raccoon got one duck he maybe after the remaining ones.  

I know that the raccoons will come back but since the attack we've made the coop more secure. The coop is fenced in and nothing can dig under so it would have to be something climbing. It was weeks ago and I'd figure of the raccoon was after them it would have given up by now and of its returning every night I don't understand why they're suddenly acting strange! Maybe there was more than one I feel awful for them! I always think like what if there was a murderer at your window every night figuring out how to get in. Im working on putting an electric fence up and an getting a few more ducks today because I thin they will feel better with a bigger flock!

 

[laurenluckyriri]

Sounds like the racoon which ate your duck is coming back for more, as it's now known food source.  Though I live in the city, I keep mine in a totally enclosed coop inside one of their runs at night.  No way is anything getting into the run (super secure cause I'm paranoid) OR the coop. 

The only thing I HAVE to make sure of is to open it up first thing in the a.m., as no food or water is ever allowed in the coop (for sanitation purposes). 

I'd just make sure and put them in an enclosed coop at night, then open it in the a.m.  That way nothing can harm them.  Otherwise, they're helpless.

I'm working on an electric fence- I don't think anything can get into the coop but obviously a raccoon can climb the fencing and I would also feel better not having ANYTHING in the pen at night, right now there's nothing over top of the pen and so I don't let them out without supervision (they're 5 weeks) Poor babies probably got freaked out. Why can they not have food or water in the coop? I keep both in there all the time ! Should I not be ?

 

[Cherib603]

You can keep food & water in there while they are still young, you may not want to when they are older and making a huge wet mess. Food in the coop can also attract predators, bugs, mice and rats.