Mysterious Death *warning graphic*

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Greetings, unfortunately my first post to this awesome community isn't a pleasureable one. Today while at work I received a phone call from my wife that unfortunately one of our new baby ducks had passed away. when I asked what got him or you know what happened, she couldn't actually figure out what happened to him, all was fine 5 minutes before.
My wife and son had thrown out some cracked corn to lure our 6 baby ducklings back to the run to lock them in for the evening. The gang was free rangeing all day and had wondered quite a bit aways. My son layed out a nice trail back to the coop then they turned there attention to gathering up our 8 chickens as well. Once the chicks where secure my wife and son realized the ducks still where not in the pen and went to investigate. They found our 5 other ducks huddled around this poor guy under our pressure washer by the deck.
After I got home this evening I couldn't find any signs of trama while looking him over, none of my flock looks or is acting sick. My only guess so far is an illness they had when I received them a week ago or that this poor guy choked out on his way back from the treats. Any suggestions?

 

[chickens really]

Not sure. Anything is possible. Was the unit plugged in?..Could It of gotten shocked?..
Sorry it happened..

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Nope unit was being stored under porch not sure how he ended up there, everyone was up and ready to go out at roll call this morning. He was our lead duck. I noticed today that the rest of the flock seemed a bit scatterbrained. Normally they stick together and free range off by themselves. This morning they where spread out and all over the place for a bit and mingling with our chickens and following around our Roo. After an hour or so one of our suspected females broke off and took charge and the rest of the ducks started to fall in line.

 

[chickens really]

Nope unit was being stored under porch not sure how he ended up there, everyone was up and ready to go out at roll call this morning. He was the lead duck I noticed today that the rest of the flock this morning seemed a bit scatterbrained. Normally they stick together and free range off to themselves. This morning they where spread out and all over the place for a bit, mingling with our chickens and following around our Roo. After an hour one our suspected females broke off and the rest of the ducks started to fall in line.

Without a necropsy it's a guess at what happened to the Duckling..

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Sorry you joined under these terrible circumstance hopefully you can enjoy this site in the future hun

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

I figured as much. Honestly I'm just really glad it wasn't a predator that took our first animal. Was a city slicker all my life and decided last year to flea to the country side, we bought a few arces and our trying to teach our kids to depend on there hardwork and knowledge instead of Walmart to survive.

 

[chickens really]

Do you have a run and a house for them?..Possibly it ate a poison plant or as you think choked on the corn?...
Hope you enjoy your adventure out in the country..

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Sorry you joined under these terrible circumstance hopefully you can enjoy this site in the future hun

So far I've been lurking around for the last month and have learned a ton from everyone here. From Aart's "no waste feeder post" ( saved me money on feed from day one) to beekissed fermented feed thread this site as been a god send and wealth of information.

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Do you have a run and a house for them?..Possibly it ate a poison plant or as you think choked on the corn?...
Hope you enjoy your adventure out in the country..

Everyone is living in our temporary run coop while I build thier new home. Been raining alot this week and I work 11+ hours a day.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Could the duckling been bitten by a snake tiny puncture wounds could be over looked.

Very sorry for your loss.