Feeling sad :(

[itsasmallfarm]

never heard of an otter killing a duck or waterfowl, thought they where only a threat to fish, are you sure its not a mink? they are pretty nasty. also we had raccoons attack a chicken coop and all they left is the feet and beaks.

 

[e2311]

never heard of an otter killing a duck or waterfowl, thought they where only a threat to fish, are you sure its not a mink? they are pretty nasty. also we had raccoons attack a chicken coop and all they left is the feet and beaks.

Definitely not Racoons as we live in the Shetland Islands (Scotland) so get nothing like that here. We don't get minks either but get polecats which are similar. and well known for killing domestic ducks and chickens.. But I am just convinced it's an otter on this occasion as we see them here VERY regularly right outside our house and my partners mum says she had ducks killed by them in the past. I personally never though they'd be a danger before either and thought they just ate fish. Perhaps i'm wrong about this! But either way whatever it was killed my duck and now have to try to keep the other safe :'(

 

[Abriana]

I’m so sorry about your loss!hopefully you can get another duck friend for your remaining duck soon.
As for the run, it is overall better to keep them contained-and predators out. It might not seem kind to pen them up but it really is the kindest thing because it brings the danger risk down. (BTW the run should be made of hardware cloth NOT chicken wire) my suggestion is to get two or even three more ducks. That way if any more get taken it won’t be a problem with the remaining ducks.
I hope your ducks stay safe from now on!

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I’m so sorry about your loss!hopefully you can get another duck friend for your remaining duck soon.
As for the run, it is overall better to keep them contained-and predators out. It might not seem kind to pen them up but it really is the kindest thing because it brings the danger risk down. (BTW the run should be made of hardware cloth NOT chicken wire) my suggestion is to get two or even three more ducks. That way if any more get taken it won’t be a problem with the remaining ducks.
I hope your ducks stay safe from now on!

polecat is a type of ferret right? or weasel family member. people here used to call the fisher a polecat and if there anything like the fisher there pretty nasty.

 

[e2311]

I’m so sorry about your loss!hopefully you can get another duck friend for your remaining duck soon.
As for the run, it is overall better to keep them contained-and predators out. It might not seem kind to pen them up but it really is the kindest thing because it brings the danger risk down. (BTW the run should be made of hardware cloth NOT chicken wire) my suggestion is to get two or even three more ducks. That way if any more get taken it won’t be a problem with the remaining ducks.
I hope your ducks stay safe from now on!

Thank you for your advice Can I ask the reason why it should be made of hardware cloth, out of interest?

 

[e2311]

polecat is a type of ferret right? or weasel family member. people here used to call the fisher a polecat and if there anything like the fisher there pretty nasty.

Yes it is like a ferret.. They're pretty notorious and killed a lot of the chickens we had when I was growing up.

 

[Abriana]

Thank you for your advice Can I ask the reason why it should be made of hardware cloth, out of interest?

Weasels can easily fit through the holes, and animals can reach through and grab the ducks. Also predators can rip through it.