Lost 4 Peking ducks last night!! No idea why!!

[DrHawkeye07]

I would lose the heat bulbs entirely. Whether it's teflon, creating an environment for mold, or just simply too hot, there are too many risks with them. I'm in Minnesota and mine do just fine in subzero overnights. I have one of those low-emitting flat panel heaters, and I've never seen any evidence that they huddle next to it.

 

[Bettyboop7499]

I'm terribly sorry for your massive loss! I can't imagine what could've killed that many at one time without leaving a trace! I am very curious so I hope you will come back and update us if/when you find out.

If it were stress from a predator you'd think you'd be able to see where to predator was trying to get in the coop...very odd!

I do however agree they do not need a heat lamp. If they were ducklings then sure, or if you only had one-maybe. Remember we harvest their feathers to make our blankets warmer. I have three Pekin drakes in Northern MI and they don't even huddle. As long as they can get out of the wind, stay dry, and up off the snow, they'll be fine.

I truly hope the rest are in good health and you find the culprit.

 

[50-45-1]

Have there been any more losses since your post?
I see you have a pond close to your coop. That leads me to agree you could have a weasel killing them. They hunt at night, they kill several at a time, and sometimes only eat a small portion of one. IF it's a weasel he will return until you have none left. I thought I had a very secure coop, until last fall when one tunneled under my hardware cloth I have buried in the ground surrounding my coop, and killed my broody hen all her chicks and 2 other adult birds in one night. Caught him the next night in my have a heart trap using one of the dead baby chicks as bait. I did not relocate him, sent him up to weasel heaven.
Good luck figuring out what is getting yours!

 

[Going Quackers]

Sorry for losses, if it were a mink, weasel etc you'd see signs been there done that.

How is your feed? Mills mess up, sometimes mold, tail offs etc... recall may eons ago cattle feed getting into horses feed not me personally thankfully .. killed them.

Folks are right on the heat lamps, i just wouldn't.... so dangerous for fires and creates moisture as well which leads to frostbite.