Lost to the fox

[newfoundland]

This afternoon I lost a duck. He was out in a special pen in the garden, as he had a slipped tendon and could not move around very well. I helped him hatch last June and it was obvious from the first that he was not quite right. I kept him with the other ducks for as long as possible, but when they started to get bigger and trampled him I kept him apart. he slept in the house at night in a box and went into the garden when I let the other ducks out in the mornings. I grew very fond of him as I carried him back and forth from garden to house. What I can't believe is that I was in the house, not twenty feet from his pen when this must have happened. I don't know why I never heard anything, or my dogs! I feel I let him down because his disability made him vulnerable. I can only conclude that a fox took him. The trouble is the fox will return now and my other ducks will be in danger. Tonight I feel awful!!

 

[FenDruadin]

Awww, it's always hard to lose them. You can't beat yourself up though--you gave him a good life for much longer than he would ever have survived on his own, and at least his end was quick. Out of curiosity, why do you think it was a fox? I'm not saying it wasn't--I've lost many to foxes. But other predators are also likely candidates. My first thought is raccoon, because they are smart, unafraid of people, and much more likely to be out in daylight. They can easily take down a duck, especially a disabled one.

I know you'll miss him.

But don't blame yourself.

As for the others, make sure they are locked up good and tight at night, always. A building or shed, with all openings covered in wire mesh, is a good choice. You can also use chain link, but you'll need to cover the bottom couple feet in hardware mesh because a raccoon will reach through the chain link and eat whatever part of a duck he can reach (this is a gruesome find in the morning, and one I had to witness once before learning my lesson). Also cover the top in wire (several inch openings are fine here) to keep raccoons and others from climbing or flying into the pen.

Until you can get something up, at least do something temporary for tonight, such as a doghouse with the opening boarded up (but leave room for ventilation somewhere), a garage (if it's not full of gaps like ours is), the basement, etc. Good luck, and sorry for your loss.

 

[cdnley]

Aww so sad

I grew attached to my 2 ducks and took care of them all through the winter only to have a fox munch them. There was nothing left of them except for a few feathers (no gore or anything). I know I totally blew a gasket with rage and sadness!! I did find a few more feathers about 20ft away but that was it. If the fox has pups or is really hungry I don't see why it would wait until dusk/night. When I get my new flock I will be installing some flashing dog collars around the pen (makes them think a predator is watching them) and solar powered motion lights on top of the sturdy cage...aside from sleeping with them I am not sure what more I can do. Don't blame yourself as these things, as awful and terrible as they are, happen even to those of us with the best intentions.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

So sorry for your loss. It is sad when we lose something we love so much.

 

[newfoundland]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. This is my first brush with predator attack and I am devastated! I know it was a fox because that is the only predator we have here, in that sense I realise we are lucky! The ducks do have houses and I always shut them securely in at night. This was late afternoon between 4-6 o'clock. It was not even beginning to get dark. I think it's true though that a hungry animal, maybe with young to feed, will not necessarily wait until dark! I am now concerned for the other animals. Apart from hens and ducks, we have some pygmy goat kids. Does anyone know if a fox would attack those, or cats?

 

[FenDruadin]

A hungry fox may attack an adult goat, but it's unlikely. I keep my nigerian dwarfs (similar in size to pygmies) in chain link fence, but it's not all that secure--a desperate animal could get under the gate or through a gap. Goats can defend themselves reasonably well, though, and they won't go down without a fight, so most animals won't bother attacking them--it's too risky for the predator.

Any time you have free ranging animals, there is a risk of loss. However, the risk is much greater when they are contained in a way that allows predators in but won't let them out easily (and I'm not pointing fingers here--my first set-up was exactly this way--I certainly didn't mean for it to be, but the fox was able to get in and the ducks couldn't get out and I lost the whole batch but one). Ducks that are ranging without containment are more able to get away from an attack.

You can do things to deter predators. There are lights and other things you can install to discourage their presence. Of course, perimeter fencing is a good idea if possible. Geese raised with ducks can be excellent deterrents to small predators (including daytime foxes). All predators are opportunistic, which means they'll go for the easiest satisfying meal they can get. If your birds are defended by geese and there is an easier meal around, they'll skip yours for the other, so anything you can do to make your flock less attractive can help.

Good luck, and so sorry for your loss.

 

[70%cocoa]

Really sorry that you lost your duck. I understand how bad you must feel. It's awful, especially when you are so attached to the bird that has been lost.

If you ensure that your other birds are secure the fox will eventually learn that it's not worth its while to keep coming back.

You could 'hasten' the process by setting a fox trap (that is, if foxes are considered feral in your area - they sure are here in Australia, making it legal to trap them). Not sure if you are in a town or a rural area but, here, the RSPCA will put down a fox that is caught in town.

 

[sourland]

I have seen a pair of fox "working" a doe in an attempt to capture and kill her fawn. When the doe would chase one fox, the mate would chase and attempt to capture the fawn. I disrupted this nature drama and scared the foxes off.

A neighbor told me that he saw a pair of fox doing the same thing. That year none of the does around here raised multiple fawns. I think that pair of fox used the "divide and conquer" method to seperate the does from at least one fawn. If they could do that to a deer, I think they could do the same to a goat. I do think that this is a learned behavior rather than one that is common to all fox. That was the only time that I have ever seen it carried out.

 

[DuckLover9138]

You can take them inside for a while. If the fox can't find any food in a week, its going to move on.

 

[agregg15]

I've heard that a male human or dog can urinate around the pens to act as a deterrent to predators. Yes I know the human part would be awkward ...but it does make sense since in the wild urine is a way of marking territory.