Missing Duck

[Justgotducks]

Unfortunately I fear the worst has happened. Let my duck out today and went out to go get a late breakfast and exercise my dogs and go to store. Came home and I peaked out my sliding door to check on my duck as I usually do. Only this time I didn’t immediately see her. I didn’t worry at first because most of times she is just out of view or in different part of the yard. But I walked out anyways because I like putting eyes on her if I don’t see her immediately.
Unfortunately despite walking my whole property several times and both neighbors yards I did not find her nor any blood or feathers. I looked thoroughly so I hope I didn’t just miss it as it of course had to start snowing. I’ve seen animal attacks on ducks before and there was blood and feathers. I am guessing a hawk as it was daytime and the yard is fully fenced in but in reality could have been a coyote or whatever else but I would have expected at least some evidence left behind maybe not a lot but something. I’ve seen the result of an attack on an rabbit by a hawk (strongly assumed) and to say it was violent was an understatement. A Cayuga is bigger than a rabbit so it doesn’t make sense to not see anything at all and we have never had any eagles in our area. I’ve had scares before when I couldn’t find her for a couple minutes but then turns out she’s be nested silently in the small woods section within the yard so I’m holding onto hope maybe somehow missed her and she’s gone broody on a nest I don’t know of outside. Normally if I call her she will come to me or quack. The worst thing is not knowing what happened. I’d much rather see blood and feathers than nothing at all because then I’ll be left to wonder what happened. She was my favorite duck too
There’s literally a duck sized hole in my heart now

 

[Buckingham Palace]

I’m so sorry. I hope she is just sitting somewhere.

 

[Justgotducks]

I’m so sorry. I hope she is just sitting somewhere.
I’m so sorry. I hope she is just sitting somewhere.

I really do hope so as well. The worst part is imagining if she got attacked and although I know there is nothing to be done I still can’t help but feel guilty I wasn’t there to protect her.

 

[Buckingham Palace]

Don’t feel guilty. I’m sure it’s a horrible feeling. I’m very sorry.

 

[cmom]

Hopefully she is hiding somewhere. A coyote can jump a 6' fence. My fences are 5' and a coyote jumped over it. I don't free range anymore due to losses from predators. When you become too complacent and let your guard down the unfortunate usually happens. Free ranging is a risk you take and especially this is the time of year when most predators are out looking for mates and having their young. Many predators don't always leave evidence. If you don't find her I would suggest that you put up a camera because the chances are very good if it was a predator, it will be back. Good luck...

 

[Havne10der]

Unfortunately I fear the worst has happened. Let my duck out today and went out to go get a late breakfast and exercise my dogs and go to store. Came home and I peaked out my sliding door to check on my duck as I usually do. Only this time I didn’t immediately see her. I didn’t worry at first because most of times she is just out of view or in different part of the yard. But I walked out anyways because I like putting eyes on her if I don’t see her immediately.
Unfortunately despite walking my whole property several times and both neighbors yards I did not find her nor any blood or feathers. I looked thoroughly so I hope I didn’t just miss it as it of course had to start snowing. I’ve seen animal attacks on ducks before and there was blood and feathers. I am guessing a hawk as it was daytime and the yard is fully fenced in but in reality could have been a coyote or whatever else but I would have expected at least some evidence left behind maybe not a lot but something. I’ve seen the result of an attack on an rabbit by a hawk (strongly assumed) and to say it was violent was an understatement. A Cayuga is bigger than a rabbit so it doesn’t make sense to not see anything at all and we have never had any eagles in our area. I’ve had scares before when I couldn’t find her for a couple minutes but then turns out she’s be nested silently in the small woods section within the yard so I’m holding onto hope maybe somehow missed her and she’s gone broody on a nest I don’t know of outside. Normally if I call her she will come to me or quack. The worst thing is not knowing what happened. I’d much rather see blood and feathers than nothing at all because then I’ll be left to wonder what happened. She was my favorite duck too
There’s literally a duck sized hole in my heart nowsa

Same happened to me this Thursday.
I had 2 ducks a male and a female.
I woke up 6 o’clock at the sound of my male duck screaming. I went out to him and found him alone. My ducks can leave their coop when ever they want, but have never left it their whole life. Even when they do, they always come back at night. Well this time she didn’t come back. I looked every where for her, but there were no trace of her. Not even feathers or blood. The next morning my male was gone too. Again with no trace of feathers or anything. I’ve looked everywhere since, and it just breaks my heart that I don’t know what happened.
I’ve thought of the option that maybe she’s gone body and made a nest somewhere near us, but I don’t seem to find anything. I’m just waiting to see if they ever return.

 

[Prop toe]

Hawks will and have ripped heads off and will eat flesh from the breast and pick feathers out .Owl shears heads off and don't make as much mess with the feathers as a hawk on average sometimes they carry off the prey if they can.However minks are slick sneaky varmits they only bite mostly the neck area and suck all their blood out.One thing for certain don't move it surround with #2 foot traps loaded you find out .Spice it and that work too.The ovious however shut all fowl up so they don't get caught or cover or load traps afther dark and cover or unload traps just before light.Cheers

 

[Prop toe]

Set at least 3 traps around it sorry forgot Cheers

 

[McChooky]

A coyote more than likely got her if she hasn't returned. A Hawk or owl would have left a carcass and feathers lying around. Sorry for your loss!