First duck gone

[sourland]

What you describe may very well be a Cooper's hawk, and they are capable of killing large fowl. Bottom line is that 'whatever it is' will be back for another meal. I would suggest monitored free ranging from now on. Good luck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is the Coopers hawk the one that's also called a chicken hawk? Boy they are fast as lightening. @sourland

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_(bird)

 

[clintbwell]

I know it’s illegal to kill hawks and all buttttt. If it’s your property and your pets are getting murdered. You knoww.. something’s gotta be done. Laws don’t work just one way. It’s a 2 way street.

 

[jennybvcr]

@jennybvcr might help ease the heart ache by bringing home a few sweet ducklings?

So glad your girls made it inside their run.

My husband's SECOND thought, after we got over the initial shock, was "does this mean we're getting more ducks?" as it had already been on the table (isn't it always) but we were holding off in order to do other projects.

@jennybvcr @Miss Lydia @CrystaBub It is so much fun and I wish y'all could come, I would love to meet you in person! They do the swap every year so maybe next year! Here is the link to the poultry swap if you wanted to check it out. https://www.ghfarm.org/swap-info

Does it always happen this weekend? Because this is my birthday weekend so it wouldn't be completely out of the realm of possibility to take a long weekend trip.

i want a Welsh Harlequin they are good looking birds sorry to hear

They're lovely. I love their spotted markings. They're all so different and very interesting. Jemima, the one who was killed, had so much black flecking in her, and Rebeccah, my survivor, is mostly white which a bit of brown. Very interesting and calm ducks.

What you describe may very well be a Cooper's hawk, and they are capable of killing large fowl. Bottom line is that 'whatever it is' will be back for another meal. I would suggest monitored free ranging from now on. Good luck.

Thank you for the info! I am definitely going to be more cautious about letting them out in the yard unsupervised. The plan is to expand their run so they have more space that is completely enclosed. Their run is already a decent size (6'x10') for just three ducks, but they love to roam so much I feel horrible keeping them locked up inside.

 

[noregerts]

I've lost chickens with the same damage, head gone, maybe a small wound somewhere else. I always wonder what got them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a nice Birthday present some little ducklings to love on.

 

[jennybvcr]

What a nice Birthday present some little ducklings to love on.

Yes... But after how much of a nightmare the not-so-little ducklings were in the weeks before they were ready to go outside full time... I've missed the window this year. I will NOT have duckling poop factories in my guest room in the height of summer haha! Maybe next spring.

 

[quackiemama]

@jennybvcr yes it is always this weekend in April which happens to be my birthday weekend as well. This is what I always choose to go do for my birthday weekend. For me though it is about a 15 minute drive. How fun would it be to celebrate birthdays with another crazy duck person???

 

[CrystaBub]

@jennybvcr yes it is always this weekend in April which happens to be my birthday weekend as well. This is what I always choose to go do for my birthday weekend. For me though it is about a 15 minute drive. How fun would it be to celebrate birthdays with another crazy duck person???

Happy almost Birthday!!!!