Eagle Attack

[Goin Quackrrs]

Told my husband I wasn't sure what I would have done had I gotten there before the eagle flew off....he said only two words, "Federal offense!"

Been "discussing" the need for covered run since last September. Hubby said eagles couldn't carry off a domestic duck, so wouldn't bother. I disagreed. He believes me now. Ongoing discussion about lengths we need to go to to protect the ducks from predators. Guess I need to learn to build the duck runs myself.......

I've thrown rocks at them a couple times. Not nice, but neither is losing your birds. My flock has to be monitored really close because we have a pair of baldies nesting in the back yard.

Triple S????

Shoot, shovel, shutup. Not that I would. But that's what it means.

 

[hillrunner]

Yea it suck that you can't get rid of the threats to your livestock.

 

[deserthotwings]

I'm sorry you lost your duck.

Generally, eagles don't seem too interested in domestic ducks, but if you have an eagle that has discovered it can eat your ducks, he will be back. All you can do is to keep your birds in covered runs except when you are right there with them.

I'm curious to know if deserthotwings is willing to pay the tens of thousands of dollars in fines that his advice would cost you.

If I catch a varmit killing any of my stock, cattle or birds, he's history.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Shoot Shovel and Shut-up

Unless of course you have close neighbors. In my opinion, I have the right to defend my livestock!

 

[newbyduckmom]

Thanks. I love eagles - at least I did - they aren't quite so beautiful to me now. I think a rock or two was discharged before the spouse moved away from the window...couldn't swear to it...I was already running. All I heard was 'eagle', made quick glance, saw the white head and didn't stop running, bare foot through mud and God knows what else, until I got in the duck run.

I've always wanted a eagle's nest in our forest. But not now. We have owls as well. And hawks. And coyotes and dogs that run free. And....first time in 15 months we have had anything other that rodent issues. I guess it is pretty much inevitable. But really should have had a covered run. Sorry, Watson, another stupid lesson learned, the hard way.

I have become so attached to those silly ducks, I really couldn't say what I would have done had I gotten close enough to the eagle. But I am pretty sure the sight of Watson, would have made it very unpleasant for all of us.

 

[Amiga]

So sad to read about Watson. I know you care so much for your ducks.

We also have many predators, and I cannot promise what I would or would not do under certain circumstances. I carry a literal big stick (a staff) when I walk with the ducks, and keep them pretty close when they are not in the day pen, but there are times when a determined, fast predator could get away with something.

My aim is to minimize the risk as much as I know how. In my mind, there will always be another to take the place of any I might kill.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

So sorry to hear about Watson.

 

[Haunted55]

Thanks. I love eagles - at least I did - they aren't quite so beautiful to me now. I think a rock or two was discharged before the spouse moved away from the window...couldn't swear to it...I was already running. All I heard was 'eagle', made quick glance, saw the white head and didn't stop running, bare foot through mud and God knows what else, until I got in the duck run.

I've always wanted a eagle's nest in our forest. But not now. We have owls as well. And hawks. And coyotes and dogs that run free. And....first time in 15 months we have had anything other that rodent issues. I guess it is pretty much inevitable. But really should have had a covered run. Sorry, Watson, another stupid lesson learned, the hard way.

I have become so attached to those silly ducks, I really couldn't say what I would have done had I gotten close enough to the eagle. But I am pretty sure the sight of Watson, would have made it very unpleasant for all of us.

I am so very sorry to hear about Watson. I have chickens that free range during the day and had hopes that the ducks and geese I added this year would also be allowed to do the same. That's not gonna happen. The ducks seem to have "called" in all of the big winged predators around, as well as the 4 legged ones. I've had Red Tail hawks daily and yesterday a pair of young eagles scanning the yard.

If I catch a varmit killing any of my stock, cattle or birds, he's history.

Oh I agree! I had discussions about this with the Game Wardens last year when we had bear problems with my pigs. In the case of eagles, you should contact the Game Wardens but sorry, I agree with the Triple S. In the time it would take them to get permission to trap the problem you could lose your whole flock.

.

We also have many predators, and I cannot promise what I would or would not do under certain circumstances. I carry a literal big stick (a staff) when I walk with the ducks, and keep them pretty close when they are not in the day pen, but there are times when a determined, fast predator could get away with something.

My aim is to minimize the risk as much as I know how. In my mind, there will always be another to take the place of any I might kill.

While I was putting up the cover for my duck pen, I finally let them out with me when I had it half way covered. Three times I had to stop and play "batter-up" with a Red Tail. A big stick is a must with ducks and geese. The last fly over by the hawk, she was 3 feet above my head and I nailed her a good one. She was back the next day, sitting in the pine tree behind their house.