Possibly my last post ever on this site (sad news)

[gryeyes]

I am so sorry you lost your little drakes.

I absolutely love Cayugas. I had a pair, Thelma and Louie. Thelma was killed whilst brooding her first clutch of eggs (not her first eggs, but the first she put in a nest and brooded) in a hidden spot not in the protected back yard. Louie was a widower for some time, until I bought three two-day-old Cayuga ducklings. All three turned out to be drakes. So I ordered six little sexed (female) Cayuga ducklings from Metzer Farms. They were about 10 weeks old when they managed to get out of their "segregation" pen during the night, or something got them out of it. Two of the six "disappeared" that same night. I was heartbroken, especially when I found part of one a couple of days later.

Luckily, now all the ducks put themselves into the coop at night, where they are secure. Four drakes, four hens. (I also had a call duck pair, Elvis and Priscilla and Priscilla disappeared while I was at work.

My flock of chickens, ducks and geese freely range my property. Because of that, I do expect to have losses, but it still hurts. A lot. But they are much happier as free range ducks.

My condolences as your loss.

 

[kikidee]

Quote:
I am now in love with the breed, and may get another two cayugas since I need quiet ducks and don't want to deal with clipping muscovy wings. I am sorry to hear of your losses, I now know the pain these creatures can cause due to our love for them. Thank you for the comfort, and I ordered my two sexed ducklings from Metzer Farms as well!

 

[jynxster]

stay strong they are playing with God as we speak. Very cute pics

 

[kikidee]

Quote:
That gives me a beautiful image. Thank you so much.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm so sorry to hear you lost your babies kikidee, I know your heartbroken. you've learned a truly hard lesson and it will help when you are ready to get your new ducks. All the best to you as your heart heals.. please don't leave us though, there is so much to learn and we'll miss you.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

My deepest sympathies and best wishes. I recommend the Predators and Pests section here on BYC for advice and support. (I lost 7 of 12 ducks to a pair of bobcats, myself.)

Just thinking out loud, but people who lose a cat or a dog usually end up getting a new one....

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

You poor thing. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

Please don't let it discourage you from owning ducks in the future. You sound like a great duckie mommy.

I made this same mistake a few weeks ago, and lost one as well. I know how you feel.

 

[mrpekinduck]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[mamasimba]

I'm so sorry about your ducks! Do you have BIG owls in your area? They are silent, and we lost a selection of sizes and types of birds (a ten-pound turkey, 3 black hens, 3 ducklings, etc.) and a couple of kittens before my husband caught the owl in the pen, threw his flashlight at it, and hit it. It flew away and never came back. The smaller birds just disappeared; the bigger ones were killed but left, as the owl apparently was unable to carry them. If you have owls, you might need a pen for any new ducks with a mesh cover on the top. Hope this helps you, dear.

 

[Suzie]

So sorry to hear of your tragic news - it is devastating to lose any of those we love and in time may your memories be of the wonderful times you shared with your little fella's - so cute!

Please keep in touch on the site - your views are important to help others in the future.....

One day in the future there will be other ducklings/ducks that will need a great home and you will be there for them!

Thinking of you with tears in my eyes

Suzie