On Monday morning, I went to feed the ducks and chickens, and one of my ducks is missing.
No real signs of a struggle, the other ducks didn’t seem worked up, no pile of feathers or anything, just gone. The ducks refuse to sleep inside now that it’s spring, and all last summer they slept in the yard with no issues: they have a pond to escape to, and are pretty alert. But I know it’s risky letting them be out.
We’ve looked everywhere. I assume she got cornered/chased and a predator got her — would a fox take a Cayuga and leave without a trace? Why wouldn’t the fox or other predator have come back for more yet? Do they wait a while? For some reason I thought they’d keep coming each day if they’ve realized they can catch a duck easily…but no one else is missing yet. I guess it’s just a matter of time??
Is it possible that my duck has gone broody and is hiding somewhere? I’ve looked hard and it’s been a couple days, so probably not, but we have several acres and some small bushes and tree clumps… What signs should I look for, where do ducks like to nest? How frequently would she need to come out for water/food?
We’ve been free ranging, but we’ll set up our electric fencing to try to keep the rest safe. Just sad and keep hoping she’ll somehow show up again…

We’ve looked everywhere. I assume she got cornered/chased and a predator got her — would a fox take a Cayuga and leave without a trace? Why wouldn’t the fox or other predator have come back for more yet? Do they wait a while? For some reason I thought they’d keep coming each day if they’ve realized they can catch a duck easily…but no one else is missing yet. I guess it’s just a matter of time??
Is it possible that my duck has gone broody and is hiding somewhere? I’ve looked hard and it’s been a couple days, so probably not, but we have several acres and some small bushes and tree clumps… What signs should I look for, where do ducks like to nest? How frequently would she need to come out for water/food?
We’ve been free ranging, but we’ll set up our electric fencing to try to keep the rest safe. Just sad and keep hoping she’ll somehow show up again…