Help me, please

[Helitorian]

Here's the view of their pen from the top of my retaining wall.



View of the land, reeds, and yummy moss they like.



Their crate. The ivy dried out a bit so it looks a little odd.



Them this morning after I brought them back into my room. I don't know if ducks really notice when their clutch mates die, but it sure looks like Fred (muscovy) is trying to comfort Goofy Bird (Cayuga) while trying to comfort himself. Deckling (mallard) was being a good friend and cleaning Goofy's face off for him. I'm tearing up just looking at this picture. Fred and George were inseparable.



And here's the last group photo I was able to take with them yesterday. From left to right: Goofy Bird, Deckling, Fred, and George with his butt in the food bowl.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's the view of their pen from the top of my retaining wall.



View of the land, reeds, and yummy moss they like.



Their crate. The ivy dried out a bit so it looks a little odd.



Them this morning after I brought them back into my room. I don't know if ducks really notice when their clutch mates die, but it sure looks like Fred (muscovy) is trying to comfort Goofy Bird (Cayuga) while trying to comfort himself. Deckling (mallard) was being a good friend and cleaning Goofy's face off for him. I'm tearing up just looking at this picture. Fred and George were inseparable.



And here's the last group photo I was able to take with them yesterday. From left to right: Goofy Bird, Deckling, Fred, and George with his butt in the food bowl.

What sweet babies, did the dog get in from the retaining wall? or how did it get in?

 

[Helitorian]

What I can tell from the torn up grass and sand, it came from the side then went down into the pen, tried to dig the ducklings out of their crate cause their shavings were everywhere, then made off with George, ate him in front of our cabin, then went back for Goofy. Goofy, being massive and very squirmy, must have made it very hard for the dog to take off with him because he was found in the neighbor's yard sleeping in the grass this morning.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What I can tell from the torn up grass and sand, it came from the side then went down into the pen, tried to dig the ducklings out of their crate cause their shavings were everywhere, then made off with George, ate him in front of our cabin, then went back for Goofy. Goofy, being massive and very squirmy, must have made it very hard for the dog to take off with him because he was found in the neighbor's yard sleeping in the grass this morning.

I have to tell you honestly and maybe I am not looking at this set up in the right angle but it really doesn't look safe, first off something could come over the top or under or down over your retaining wall. I know you did the best you could but we just under estimate Predators they will go to great lengths to get our babies. As you sadly found out. I am not telling you this to make you feel guilty I'm sure your beating yourself up thinking about it as it is. I just want to to understand if you ever decide to do this again that it is very important that ducks get locked up inside an enclosure every night that means completely safe top and bottom and sides. We can never underestimate a predator ever.

 

[Helitorian]

Yeah I understand that it isn't the safest pen but our neighbors would have had a fit if I'd started building something. They're gossipy and have nothing else better to do but find fault with everyone and talk about them while they pretend that their sh*t doesn't stink. Also, I think the owner of the lake has a flock of ducks himself down on his private part of the lake off the main lake, so I think I'll ask him if he'll take my ducklings that way I'll still be able to see them when they're older. I was so looking forward to the Muscovies because I got blue/lavenders and Goofy is getting his adult feathers in and they're BEAUTIFUL.

 

[laughingdog]

Why don't you just lock them up at night in a large ect dog or other strong animal crate, maybe with weight like cinder blocks on bottom? Keeping close on porch at night and when gone? or do like i do and get guard dog. tell animal control you have a dangerous at large dog that has been killing neighor animals as well as now two of yours, and your scared for all the small children who play alone out on lake at night, so you would appreciate someone coming out and setting live traps. Or set some rat traps out along were entering, and/or sit out and wait with air/pellet/bb gun ect or bow and arrow at night. you have the right to kill any previously reported stock killer except birds of prey, on own land or with owners approval. i prefer to just avoid most un natural unpleasants, and keep dogs that protect my other beloved pets. my rough collie is fiercely protective especially of young, naturally without training even (he would collect and huddle up all chicks ect under him and growl even at me if i made them scared). plus he herds them up for me safely to pen at night.

 

[calmwinds]

Have you thought about coyotes? Dog like print large and can get into anything. Another is foxes. Just a thought I had. Eventhough your neighbors talk you have a pen and putting a top on an already existing pen should not cause a problem. An electric fence does wonders to keep preditors out. I have that on my pen

 

[BabyDaisy]

Foxes have big gaps in the middle of the prints and you can't confuse them. It is impossible for a dogs print to mimic a fox's.