I had 8 week Cayuga ducklings that we raised in our home/backyard in the city and transplanted them to my mother's rural property yesterday. They seemed to be settling in after several hours and were exploring their pen area, foraging, drinking, etc. My mom woke and found the male dead this morning with puncture wound on his head so we are assuming it is a snake bite. I am so devastated and now scared to leave the female out there and what to do to help her future. My mom has chickens and guineas on the property. I don't know whether to transplant her again or try to get another duck. I wonder about age difference, safety and her being accepted if she were transplanted again. Any feedback would be helpful.
I would not assume it's a snake. I would post on the predators and pests forum and see if someone can help figure it out. I would also get her to a safe place. Everything wants to eat duck.
Thanks for your response! We've already buried him now so can't examine the wound anymore. They fortified the coop more and have tucked her in for the night. We live 45-60 minutes away and decided to sleep on it before immediately taking her back to our backyard without a clear plan of where will be better.
OMG so sorry to hear about Lucky! Really hope your female does ok. I don't know what I would do if something happened to my pair that have grown up together. They couldn't stand being in separate pins. Couldn't imagine something happening to one of them... Best of luck
