Mysterious Death *warning graphic*

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Hmm, we consided thisi but it was dark and I used a flashlight to inspect him so I definitely would have missed any small punctures. We really don't see much more than a few garden varieties of snakes here all tho I'm sure there lurking around here I have about an acre cleared the other 5 are still woods.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are your ducklings are they in a fenced in area or just roaming around un protected? Just wondering since they appear to be pretty young to be free ranging far and wide.
Yep we have copper heads and even though we mostly see the blk rat snake we know the copper heads are around I just hope mine never get close to one. Other than to eat one. I did see one of my Muscovy's eat a young copper head once.

Sorry my manners are not so good this morning need more coffee

 

[tjo804]

Sorry for your loss. Cute baby

I was thinking it looked young too be out and about without adult / mama duck. They can get cold and die even in what feels warm temps to us.
Also do you have pans of water set out for them where they wander? Some dry foods can swell when mixed with water / moisture if the duckies are gorging on pellets or crumbles without water close it can swell up and block things up a bit. The water helps to wash it down.

Good luck on your new journey. You are in the right place to help with your success

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I think dried meal worms or thawed peas might be better than corn for enticing the little ones home. Healthier too.

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Thank you for all the suggestions, the get heat lamp at night and spend most of there time locked up. Wife or I let them out supervised. She said she only let them out of her sight for a few minutes while rounding up the chicks. I'm hedging my bets on choked out or snake we didn't see. Will be getting peas tonight after work and give them a try.

 

[tjo804]

Peas are good they have niacin.
Mine also love watermelon

Good luck

 

[HuskerHens18]

Were those other ducklings around him or on him? I'm wondering if they crushed him trying to pile under there...

 

[True Patriot]

Snake wouldn't be very high on my suspect list since the duckling was still there. You mentioned recovery from illness, what did they have? If they were out, how close is the water? What are your temps? Is there anything around the yard that could be toxic/poisonous? (Spilled oil,fuel,coolant on a mower?) There are many things that could have caused the unfortunate death that can be corrected to prevent future loss. I would look at sickness, dehydration, poisoning before making an unknown snake the Boogeyman.

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Snake wouldn't be very high on my suspect list since the duckling was still there. You mentioned recovery from illness, what did they have? If they were out, how close is the water? What are your temps? Is there anything around the yard that could be toxic/poisonous? (Spilled oil,fuel,coolant on a mower?) There are many things that could have caused the unfortunate death that can be corrected to prevent future loss. I would look at sickness, dehydration, poisoning before making an unknown snake the Boogeyman.

Patriot, right now #1 supect is choked out on cracked corn. But I think your on the right track. I would rule out sickness so far none of the other 13 birds I have show any signs of not being healthy. Temps have been good most days but it did rain yesterday and the temps probably dipped a good bit. I was at work and not sure exactly when she let them out.
Dehydration is possible, they have a kiddie pool out side the enclosure and plastic bin that is deep enough to swim in inside. There are 3 different watering stations inside enclosure I use old hamster water bottles (2) and a 5 gallon bucket with nipples and lid so there is always clean water available. I don't have any out in yard yet just the pool. Not sure how long she had them out of pen.
Poisoning will take some investigating on my part. but now you got me thinking i need to clear out under the porch and around the house. Just to make sure thats not a future possibility. We just bought this place a few months ago and the previous owners left us quite a huge mess.

 

[True Patriot]

Patriot, right now #1 supect is choked out on cracked corn. But I think your on the right track. I would rule out sickness so far none of the other 13 birds I have show any signs of not being healthy. Temps have been good most days but it did rain yesterday and the temps probably dipped a good bit. I was at work and not sure exactly when she let them out.
Dehydration is possible, they have a kiddie pool out side the enclosure and plastic bin that is deep enough to swim in inside. There are 3 different watering stations inside enclosure I use old hamster water bottles (2) and a 5 gallon bucket with nipples and lid so there is always clean water available. I don't have any out in yard yet just the pool. Not sure how long she had them out of pen.
Poisoning will take some investigating on my part. but now you got me thinking i need to clear out under the porch and around the house. Just to make sure thats not a future possibility. We just bought this place a few months ago and the previous owners left us quite a huge mess.

I'm not trying to suggest that you did something wrong. My thoughts were to eliminate all possibilities that could affect the rest of the flock. And you seem to be on the right path for that. Best of luck.