One duck died, now the rest are terrified of us???

[UkulikelyNot]

Hey duck owners

We had 3 backyard ducks, all female. Last week, one suddenly died. We are still awaiting the necropsy results. Anyway, over the past few days, the remaining 2 ducks have become TERRIFIED of us. Tonight when I put them to bed, one was literally trembling when I reached in to adjust their food and water, and the other fully tried to attack me. Theyve always been so sweet and social, what could be wrong?

I feel like they think we killed their sister and are comin' for them next. Help!

 

[Hannahnic14]

Hmmm, I have geese not ducks but it sounds like something scared them pretty bad. Maybe spend some extra time with them so they get comfortable with you again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey duck owners

We had 3 backyard ducks, all female. Last week, one suddenly died. We are still awaiting the necropsy results. Anyway, over the past few days, the remaining 2 ducks have become TERRIFIED of us. Tonight when I put them to bed, one was literally trembling when I reached in to adjust their food and water, and the other fully tried to attack me. Theyve always been so sweet and social, what could be wrong?

I feel like they think we killed their sister and are comin' for them next. Help!

Do you have a game camera? maybe a predator is coming around at night and has scared them.

 

[UkulikelyNot]

Do you have a game camera? maybe a predator is coming around at night and has scared them.

I've had that thought too. They've gone through bouts of refusing to come out of their house in the morning, and our previous flock of 3 males were dinner for a coyote. It may be the foxes or coyotes annoying them at night.

 

[Miss Lydia]

A member just lost one of her ducks to a bobcat how she found out what got hers is it has been coming back and she caught it on her game camera.

 

[Khartlaub]

Do you have a game camera? maybe a predator is coming around at night and has scared them.

Yes, it would make more sense that a predator scared them vs. you. Your bird that passed may have had a heart attack from being so frightened. 😔

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I'm so sorry. I hope your two girls will begin to find happiness with life again soon. They must be traumatized from the death of their flockmate. I'll be thinking of you and your flock. I'm sorry that I am no help but I wanted to offer my warm thoughts