Leaving Ducks Outside to Roam.... Predators?

[Duck Lady1]

So I have a fenced in yard. Do I need to worry about a random cat or raccoon coming by? They seem safe and I don't really want to create a huge run. If I have to I'll create some kind of roof contraption but I'd rather not. I have a large dog crate that eventually will become their duck house for evenings when they can stay outside.

 

[Miss Lydia]

A large dog crate? Can you post a pic if the bars are like what I’m thinking you’ll need to wrap in hardware cloth or raccoons will be able to reach in and try an pull your ducks through the metal slats.

 

[Beaglegal]

So I have a fenced in yard. Do I need to worry about a random cat or raccoon coming by? They seem safe and I don't really want to create a huge run. If I have to I'll create some kind of roof contraption but I'd rather not. I have a large dog crate that eventually will become their duck house for evenings when they can stay outside.

Roam during the day or at night? During the day, it would depend on your predator pressures. I have bald eagles and the occasional coyote during the day. At night I would worry about raccoons getting them, just like Miss Lydia described

 

[Duck Lady1]

Yes, it's the standard dog crate. I have chicken wire I can use to reinforce/protect. Thanks for the tip.

I do see eagles occasionally, but this is a neighborhood with postage stamp lots and tall fences. Being that they are right next to the house and kind of hang right by the house, I don't think a bird of pray can swoop successfully if it did notice them. I think they would have to land, go into the lot and walk over to them. Am I wrong? I'm more worried about raccoons. Haven't seen any though, and it's a pretty well-developed area which kind of reduces the raccoon population. (Lots are .2 acres)

 

[Rainwing]

if anything, developed land increases the raccoon population beyond what is normally in the woods because of people who leave out food for wild birds or leave out trash.

 

[Duck Lady1]

if anything, developed land increases the raccoon population beyond what is normally in the woods because of people who leave out food for wild birds or leave out trash.

Thank you - good to know. Do I only worry at night? I hate to keep the duckies confined during the day.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have had cooper's hawks sit on my deck railing waiting for a bird to go to my birdfeeders. When we lived in Florida we had them sitting on the fence between the small lots just waiting for something good to eat. I actually had one fly right through my open screened door going after a bird in my yard and I was standing right there not 6' from the hawk.

 

[Duck Lady1]

BTW there is a pond right beyond my fenced in yard and lots of waterfowl there. Ducks, geese, heron, cranes.

 

[Beaglegal]

Eagle can surprise you, and they can kill and eat their prey right there if they need to. We have such a large area it’s not practical to cover but we have added eagle shelters which have helped. The ducks can take cover if the aren’t near the barn

 

[Duck Lady1]

So does no one leave their ducks out during the day to roam? Seems like they should be able to enjoy the backyard.