Missing Duckling

[jordynmartin]

I went outside about 5:30 this morning to the duck pen outside my room because quackmire was chirping loudly. I arrived to see no signs of daisy.. They are only 3 weeks old and the only "predators" we have normal birds. What could've happened? She couldn't even fly or quack yet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I went outside about 5:30 this morning to the duck pen outside my room because quackmire was chirping loudly. I arrived to see no signs of daisy.. They are only 3 weeks old and the only "predators" we have normal birds. What could've happened? She couldn't even fly or quack yet.

Did you have them locked up in a secure coop or house? and where are you located that the only preds you have are "normal birds"
what breed of duckling was it?

 

[jordynmartin]

I live in a subdivision where there's nothing... Or so it seems. I'm not sure what kind of duck it was. I think someone in here said a buff?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I live in a subdivision where there's nothing... Or so it seems. I'm not sure what kind of duck it was. I think someone in here said a buff?

Listen I hate to tell you this but weasels, mink, raccoon, opossum, owls, large rats all live in subdivisions. Please keep your other duckling safe by locking it up before dark, because what ever took your duckling will be back. Do you only have the one duckling now? it's going to be so lonely and probably tramuatized by what happen to it's buddy. also did you check it over good for injuries. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I hope you'll consider getting your lone duckling a friend asap. for it's sake.

 

[jordynmartin]

I believe it's a human. I put the other duck in its house and closed off the door. He wasnt there this morning

 

[Clackclack]

Not sure how you secured your duck pen, but racoons have been known to open simple slide locks, etc. Was there an actual lock on it? Was it locked up again afterwards? If it's a human, then it's a case for the police...

Perhaps keep the other one in your house tonight, till you have figured it out.

Clackclack

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm sorry but like the other poster said if you didn't have the door locked tight anything animal or human could have gotten in. what about feathers or blood? any foot prints other than yours? close neightbors who complained about noise or smell?

 

[jordynmartin]

There's nothing. It's like they just disappeared

 

[Connie White]

If it's a neighborhood dog - there wont even be feathers around. I have ducks who free range and there's a big Lab that apparently gets to roam around - well, naturally, he came for my ducks. I've talked to him and with my dog now paying better attention - I don't have any more problems but the #1 predator is the neighborhood dogs - its instinctive. however, that it happens during the night could mean someone's taking them (amongst the other predators listed.) I know - if you have a facebook account and lots of your neighbors are friends - post a pick of the duckling left - and also that you are missing ducks - possibly abducted and kidnapped! I can imagine there are NOT a LOT of folk in your area with ducklings - IF it's a human - that might be easily found out. I'd personally keep them inside - in a big ole cardboard box for a while - especially at night! Sorry for your loss- AND I'm not sure about ducks but I do know that - in the state of Alabama, you are not allowed to buy any fewer than 6 chicks at a time. This is because research found - a single one will die and there's nothing you can do about it. They are flock animals and must be around others. Even when I have one who is very sick - I put them outside with the others during the day or ...put one inside with them if they are unable to make it outside - they need each other and have to be around one another. I watched a group of hens take care of my rooster when he fell ill. I will say - my ducks are almost always together - it's very rare for me to find one straying off from the crowd - doesn't really happen much ....at all. They love being together....although there is a pecking order!

I hope this helps!
Connie

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Last year I had a 5 wk old wander off during free range, took a week but it did return. Housing must be very secure to protect ducklings from predators. Subdivisions are homes to all sorts of wild critters, do not assume that your sub is free from wild critters.