Help! Why would my ducklings disappear?

[Theeggboxtoo]

We have 3, 6 week old Mallard/ or Rouen ducklings. We have looked all over our property for them, nothing, not even a feather. What could of happened to them, they were the sweetest ducks ever. We miss them.

Our 8 week old d'uccle hen recently disappeared as well... Do you think they will come back? What happened to them?

 

[gofasterstripe]

Do you lock them up at night, are they in a pen of a night. If not, then something just might of got them

 

[Theeggboxtoo]

they stay in their house at night, but they disappeared at 10:00 A.M. during the day.

 

[FenDruadin]

Oh, no!!

I'm so sorry. That's the worst, not even knowing what happened to them.

Sadly, I'm going to have to bet on something getting them, most likely a raccoon. They are clever, fast, aggressive, and often out during the day. They'll drag a baby off and leave no sign when they can.

It's also possible that a domestic dog came into your yard and frightened them and they're in hiding. Ducks can be outstanding at hiding, and may not come home for a day or two.

If a raccoon got one, the others may just be in hiding.

I would keep them penned up until a time when you can watch them constantly and see if something is coming into your yard after them.

So sorry for your loss. That's heartbreaking.

 

[Duker17]

Do you have coyotes? That would be my guess. I've lost several birds to them unfortunately, even in the day time.

 

[desertdarlene]

Oh no, I hope they're OK. Hopefully, the just decided to go somewhere else. Are there any other ducks in your area? Maybe the decided to go visit them. I've seen 6 week old ducklings leave their mom and hang out with the other teenage ducks in the area.

Thinking positive thoughts.

 

[Theeggboxtoo]

We have had a coyote come before, but don' t they leave feathers behind?

We have been watching them, we had checked on them 30 minutes before and they were fine... I hope they come back.
If they are mallards would they fly away?

 

[MandyH]

Hawks and owls will get them too.

 

[desertdarlene]

A coyote doesn't always leave feathers behind because sometimes they just grab a duck and go. You'll sometimes see what looks like medium-sized dog prints nearby. At 6 weeks, they wouldn't be able to fly yet.

 

[Wifezilla]

Sounds like hawks.