How to keep my nests from being eaten

[bayyjayy]

I have had five nests eaten this year....I have NO idea what is eating them....everyone in my neighborhood has a different opinion.....raccoons, skunks, muskrats, cats.... but I have NEVER seen any of these animals in my neighborhood, except muskrats and cats, of course!

Someone said I should try putting mothballs around my yard. Any comments on that?

I was thinking about getting nesting boxes, but I heard they are suppose to be off the ground, and the ducks I want can't fly. Hmmmm.....

Any comments?

Thanks!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Have the ducks nest in a secure area. Mine nest inside the run - safe from anyone who wants to eat their nest.



Move the nest/duck into a kennel, that you can place in a safe area.



These are about the only ways I know of, short of getting a LGD who is good with birds and being sure your property is fenced.

 

[FenDruadin]

Mothballs are not going to deter a predator. And the fact that you haven't seen those creatures means only that you haven't seen them. I would never have believed our sleepy suburban area had foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and possums until I got ducks and lost a few to exactly these predators. Those creatures are mostly nocturnal and have adapted to keep a very low profile in urban areas because THEIR biggest predator is us.

If you are going to keep ducks successfully for any length of time, you are going to have to keep them locked up tight at night. And if you're going to do that, you may as well put nestboxes in their secure area and encourage them to lay there. Then you will have no problem with nests getting eaten, because nothing will be able to get to them.

Good luck, and may you have many adorable ducklings to reward you for your efforts.