I need some experienced wisdom here( i had an inccident yesterday)

[larkflying]

I'm so sorry that you lost a duck -- it is hard to lose a bird. It is strange that the other animals didn't make a noise.

One thing that I was going to do when we had similar issues was to borrow / buy a large live trap from the local humane society if possible. If it is a dog, you can call animal control usually and they will come and take it away -- the owner has to pay a fine to get the animal back which might help them keep it in. Either way, the problem is in neutral hands. I didn't end up needing to do it as the neighbors finally figured out that we were serious and built a fenced area for their wild dogs, but I still keep my eye out for large live traps on craigslist just in case.

I sympathize with the fencing issue! We are still saving for cattle fence . . . one of these days . . .

 

[furbabymum]

If your dogs are ok around the ducks I'd leave at least one out with them to gaurd against possible neighbor dog intrusion.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm so sorry that you lost a duck -- it is hard to lose a bird. It is strange that the other animals didn't make a noise.

One thing that I was going to do when we had similar issues was to borrow / buy a large live trap from the local humane society if possible. If it is a dog, you can call animal control usually and they will come and take it away -- the owner has to pay a fine to get the animal back which might help them keep it in. Either way, the problem is in neutral hands. I didn't end up needing to do it as the neighbors finally figured out that we were serious and built a fenced area for their wild dogs, but I still keep my eye out for large live traps on craigslist just in case.

I sympathize with the fencing issue! We are still saving for cattle fence . . . one of these days . . .

Definitely, a thought.. something i will inquire on. We did most of horse fence ourselves and even then it was so costly! We are going to look into some hot wire however, if we do the side that is an issue perhaps that will reduce our risk.

If your dogs are ok around the ducks I'd leave at least one out with them to gaurd against possible neighbor dog intrusion.

They wouldn't stay though, they know they only come out with us ... we keep taking the lab with us when we do our checks on the ducks though.

 

[Going Quackers]

You need something to make yourselves look big and mean when going after what ever it was. How are the rest of the flock acting? Nervous? Foxes are opportunistic and if your drake was at the right place at the right time but I really doubt it was a fox unless starving and not able to feed herself or maybe her young.

The rest seem to be quite neutral.. clearly they know "something" took the other bird but they are down the side by the cedars(typical local) Lilly seems a bit um, tense? but that is hard to tell if that is just her being her.. the other birds are getting a bit picky at the babies and she is still full on protective... allowing only spot(oldest drake) to come near.

I don't see a fox starving around here, plenty of food not to mention crops... it coming past our camp trailer.. past the pool, into a cleared area right smack dab in front of the horse paddock... plus how on earth would it be capable to carry back such a large bird so many feet?

 

[Miss Lydia]

The rest seem to be quite neutral.. clearly they know "something" took the other bird but they are down the side by the cedars(typical local) Lilly seems a bit um, tense? but that is hard to tell if that is just her being her.. the other birds are getting a bit picky at the babies and she is still full on protective... allowing only spot(oldest drake) to come near.

I don't see a fox starving around here, plenty of food not to mention crops... it coming past our camp trailer.. past the pool, into a cleared area right smack dab in front of the horse paddock... plus how on earth would it be capable to carry back such a large bird so many feet?

Most likely a dog and a pretty good size on I would think to carry a large drake off. .

 

[Going Quackers]

Most likely a dog and a pretty good size on I would think to carry a large drake off. .

Precisely, just simply to many things point that direction when you deep breathe and evaluate.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

We are the same way. The ornamentals are in aviaries as they would fly off. Everyone else is outside all day every day rain or shine. I dont let anyone out front if I have to leave for hours. Other than that its the same routine each and every day. Out by 6:30/7 am and fed, pools and buckets dumped, washed refilled daily, feed pans picked up. Goats let out and fed, every left free ranging and enjoying the day. We have field fencing around the property, and continue to add it in a few final spots. Expensive and a time consumer to put up, but alittle at a time and it will all be fenced in sooner or later. One thing we do different than many is we have 2 Great Pyrenees also. Not much gets by them.

 

[Wynette]

I believe in penning my birds, but I also understand that others do not. We all have opinions, which is fine...but it's not helpful to "chastise" someone because they do not hold the same beliefs that you do.

In my situation, I work full time, and we have bazillions of fox in our area. So, we have built pens that will withstand the predators in our area, and mine are only allowed free range time when I can be out & can watch them. That works for me, and works for them. Their pens are quite large, and they are happy. BUT - if I was home all day, believe me, my birds would be out...a lot!

I'm sorry for your loss, Quakers...maybe focus more on what you can do for prevention rather than dwelling on what happened or trying to figure out exactly what happened. Your energy will be put to the best use by moving forward. I like your idea of the snow fencing - I once put an ad on Craigslist looking for cheap snow fencing & got lots of replies in my area - maybe try that?

 

[Going Quackers]

We are the same way. The ornamentals are in aviaries as they would fly off. Everyone else is outside all day every day rain or shine. I dont let anyone out front if I have to leave for hours. Other than that its the same routine each and every day. Out by 6:30/7 am and fed, pools and buckets dumped, washed refilled daily, feed pans picked up. Goats let out and fed, every left free ranging and enjoying the day. We have field fencing around the property, and continue to add it in a few final spots. Expensive and a time consumer to put up, but alittle at a time and it will all be fenced in sooner or later. One thing we do different than many is we have 2 Great Pyrenees also. Not much gets by them.

I would love to fence this entire place, but while we are not big, as you say its so costly

I think we'll start the little at a time approach like you have done, every bit will help and it benefits the other animals here(horses & dogs/farm cat) to keep others out.

I know GP, the one breeder we got our horse from has them and the one lady in the boarding stable my mother used raised them... one day it may lead to that with all the development in the area they are pushing the wildlife more into the countryside that is left. I just know little about it, since we own other dogs and have a farm cat too? i guess you just raise them with it and they know who is ok?

 

[Going Quackers]

I believe in penning my birds, but I also understand that others do not. We all have opinions, which is fine...but it's not helpful to "chastise" someone because they do not hold the same beliefs that you do.

In my situation, I work full time, and we have bazillions of fox in our area. So, we have built pens that will withstand the predators in our area, and mine are only allowed free range time when I can be out & can watch them. That works for me, and works for them. Their pens are quite large, and they are happy. BUT - if I was home all day, believe me, my birds would be out...a lot!

I'm sorry for your loss, Quakers...maybe focus more on what you can do for prevention rather than dwelling on what happened or trying to figure out exactly what happened. Your energy will be put to the best use by moving forward. I like your idea of the snow fencing - I once put an ad on Craigslist looking for cheap snow fencing & got lots of replies in my area - maybe try that?

It's not so much so that i am against pens, i pen my chickens between the rogue cats, hawks and of coarse my drakes they wouldn't stand a chance. Just the 'scovies are big and we have quite a few, so creating a pen would be well beyond my abilities, financial and physically.

Yep, i plan to see what's out there.. hopefully i can find some second hand i figured it's a start to at least.. delay an attack.. i am home most days, i am a SAHM and the dogs are let in/out a thousand times a day i swear lol

I just wanted to speak with those who knew more than I about this sort of thing, as i have not had this happen before.. generally this place is quite calm in the day, night is a 'nother ball game which is why they are locked up then.