I’m not even a week out from my first fatal predator attack (bobcat during the day, one duck killed), and I have a few questions.
1) How do I make life in lockdown, or “modified lockdown” better? My ducks have mostly now gotten to the point where they are emotionally over the trauma (except for maybe the sister of the duck that was killed), and they are now bored. They are allowed in their duckio (where their pools are located) when we are home during the day, but they are locked in the barn at all other times. This means that they are in the barn most of the time as hubby and I work full time. This is routine for the dead of winter, but they don’t mind then as…well… it’s ridiculously freezing and snowy then. But it’s nice out now, and they know it. There are bugs to catch and slugs to slurp and grass to eat! I toss mealworms about in the duckio and barn, and it helps, but it’s not the same. I realize that it is what it is, but I want to make improvements. Any ideas?
2) Is this life from now on? My guess is yes. The bobcat is showing no signs of leaving, and our innocent belief that we live in a safe area is gone.
3) Is there such a thing as “modified foraging ”? We had always restricted foraging to times when we were home, thinking we would be quick enough to thwart an attack. Clearly that was a false assumption as this attack occurred within minutes of my husband going inside in broad daylight. We don’t have time to walk the ducks around the yard very often. Is there something that could offer some protection while allowing greater range?
4) Who else is currently in lockdown? How are your surviving birds faring?
1) How do I make life in lockdown, or “modified lockdown” better? My ducks have mostly now gotten to the point where they are emotionally over the trauma (except for maybe the sister of the duck that was killed), and they are now bored. They are allowed in their duckio (where their pools are located) when we are home during the day, but they are locked in the barn at all other times. This means that they are in the barn most of the time as hubby and I work full time. This is routine for the dead of winter, but they don’t mind then as…well… it’s ridiculously freezing and snowy then. But it’s nice out now, and they know it. There are bugs to catch and slugs to slurp and grass to eat! I toss mealworms about in the duckio and barn, and it helps, but it’s not the same. I realize that it is what it is, but I want to make improvements. Any ideas?
2) Is this life from now on? My guess is yes. The bobcat is showing no signs of leaving, and our innocent belief that we live in a safe area is gone.
3) Is there such a thing as “modified foraging ”? We had always restricted foraging to times when we were home, thinking we would be quick enough to thwart an attack. Clearly that was a false assumption as this attack occurred within minutes of my husband going inside in broad daylight. We don’t have time to walk the ducks around the yard very often. Is there something that could offer some protection while allowing greater range?
4) Who else is currently in lockdown? How are your surviving birds faring?
I feel for you as I am going through this too. My first loss was to a bobcat last week. I was inside but heard it and saw the bobcat drop the chicken and run away. The death was instant but we lost our beloved chicken that day. We have seen the bobcat since so he is waiting for another opportunity. I miss the days of my chickens happily free ranging, sun bathing, dust bathing, and just frolicking happily throughout the property. I would supervise most of the time but was also able to run small errands and go inside for a bit with no issue. Things are so different now. They are mostly in their run other than a few highly supervised hours of free ranging. I don't let them cross the road into the meadow anymore as that is where we have seen the bobcat. They loved that meadow because it has tons of grapes, blackberries, and tall grass to play in. They cry a lot in their run and just miss their freedom I think. Its an adjustment for all of us!
