My poor Pekin ducks!

[DuckLoverJake]

I lost my ducks a couple weeks ago to an attack and I have no idea what attacked them. I was sick and couldn't let them in that night, but it's not the first time that I left them out. They survived hurricane sandy but not this evil thing. I only found two of the four and they were headless! Like from the shoulders up! I have a picture of one if any one wants the guess who the villain is. Haha sorry this might sound dumb but also how do I post pictures from my iPhone without a URL? I really just want to know who the culprit is.

 

[Amiga]

Sad to read the ducks are dead.

Don't be confused about predators. They choose their own time to strike. You might get away with leaving them unprotected for days, weeks, months . . . . But you know this now. One of my concerns is that I have backup, and can call on someone to get the ducks to safety in case I become ill or injured.

If you have not yet, post your question on the Predators and Pests page. You should get a good answer or two there.

 

[DuckLoverJake]

Well I never left them out for more than one night. This was my first duck family and I didn't think I'd get so attached.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for the circumstances. As Amiga says, with predators it's only a matter of when not if.

 

[DuckLoverJake]

Alright thanks. I'm going to college this year so no more ducks for awhile.

 

[Amiga]

Well I never left them out for more than one night. This was my first duck family and I didn't think I'd get so attached.

It is amazing how quickly we can fall head over heels in love with our ducks. They just have that affect on many of us. And I don't think you were intentionally neglectful. We make our best judgments and sometimes find out it was a mistake. I empathize. Many people free range their ducks, and not everyone is comfortable with that. Predators can strike during the day as well.

See if you can get an answer about the predator that came. Perhaps some day you will have time and space for another flock, and you will be able to use this sad event to guide your management of the next flock. I hope school goes well for you.

 

[jdywntr]

Sorry for the loss. There are many predators that could have done this. Raccoons, owl, hawk, weasel. Hard to say for sure.

Always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Research what type of predators are in your area (don't forget about stray/roaming dogs) and plan for them. As Amiga said, have a back up. My hubby doesn't deal with the birds but he would feed or put them up if need be.

Again sorry for the losses.

 

[DuckLoverJake]

For sure and the real reason I left them out is because they loved to free range, and everyone knew how to escape the pen except for one and it broke my heart when I got home ,from working on the polar express or school, she would be sitting there all alone crying. I couldn't leave them penned up all day, that just wasn't their personality. It makes me sad when I see the pen and they aren't yelling for me to let them out or feed them.

 

[ChampionAlex]

I had my ducks attacked. Its usually raccoons that kill them. They have killed 3 of mine before just slicing off their heads and not even eating them.

 

[DuckLoverJake]

The insides were gone in the two but the other two are missing but it's been almost 3 weeks so yeah I know what happened to my babies.