I had 4 cayuga ducks and 2 call ducks. Last night the two call ducks were killed by an animal. My son who locked them up last night swears the two white ones went into the duck house, but the door was bolted this morning so there is no way they got out on their own. I am new to duck keeping, i just got them at the end of august. My heart is broken ! The 4 cayugas will not come out of the house this morning, they are scared. no coxing will get them to come out and eat or drink. They must have heard whatever went on during the night outside their house. I am sure with time they will come out. Just wanted to share with people who would understand the sadness and loss I am feeling at this moment.
I lost my first duck a few days ago too, to a hawk. No blood anywhere, just an explosion of feathers. And then, to add insult to injury, when I went out to tuck them in the hawk was sitting on a fencepost, picking out another victim. It's heartbreaking. And my remaining ducks are terrified to go outside....they'll run out for food and water in the morning, and then go right back into their house. I've moved them into a greenhouse now, so they're warm and living the good life, but even in there they're afraid to come out, even for peas.
awww i am sooo very sorry for your loss . i've lost three of mine, and boy was it terrible. the one i still have left and his brother had seen everything happen, they wouldn't quack at all for days then once the brother was killed, poor toby was pretty depressed. he wouldn't quack much and he'd complain if i left him, he always wanted to be with me. i definitely know the pain of losing them. just keep taking care of the beautiful cayugas, they'll need you.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and hugs. I really need it today. My Cayugas will not come out of their house. I tried to coax them out with peas and they just quack very softly. I put a chair outside and sat there for over an hour talking to them, telling them I would sit here and make sure nothing hurt them, but they wouldnt come out. my happy ducks who would come out wings flapping and quacking at me as I pour the fresh water have become sullen and frightened. They havent drank anything, and only ate a bit when i put the food and hay into their house. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to feel safe enough to come out and when should i really start to worry?
