Predator Massacred Muscovy Ducklings

[Tinabuglaw]

So I went outside this evening to put the ducks and geese and muscovies away. I noticed immediately that road runner, my female new mama, was not with her chicks. She originally had seven and lost two of them somewhere along the way. But today, four of her remaining five were lying all over the place in the yard. One of them had a puncture wound and another head of gas in her head. We planned on inspecting them closer to see what kind of predator we were dealing with but I turned my back and they literally took them all! The only one that was left was the one that looked like it had a heart attack. I'm worried about roadrunner. When I brought her to the coop today she was very cooperative didn't scratch me or kick. She didn't really try to run for me either. He called her roadrunner because we could never catch her in fact she was gone for a month somewhere in the woods hatching her babies. I'm just wondering what I can do for mom and if anybody knows what kind of pain she might be in.

 

[Debbie292d]

Oh how sad. So very sorry for your loss.

I am guessing that was a dog. I don't know of any wild animal that would run around a yard chasing down ducks and kill them but not eat any portion nor take one away with them. But a dog would do that for sport.

Roadrunner should be okay since she at least has one duckling. You could give them both electrolytes, which helps with stress. I know it could take days or weeks though for her to act normal again.

Here's a recipe if you don't have any, but there are a few different variations in Google.

1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons honey OR molasses OR granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda OR 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

If you don't agree with my guess and are sure it's some wild animal, we border a forest, and our dogs, a border collie and corgi keep them out of our yard. Also, several solar motion lights help too.

I hope you figure it out, and again, I'm so sorry!

 

[Callender Girl]

Even if Roadrunner isn't physically harmed, she's probably traumatized and in shock; that was the case when a mink killed all but one hen in one of my coops several years ago. It was a long time before Honey was her normal, outgoing self again.

It is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking to lose any birds to any predator. I am sorry for your losses and hope Roadrunner completely recovers.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

Oh how sad. So very sorry for your loss.

I am guessing that was a dog. I don't know of any wild animal that would run around a yard chasing down ducks and kill them but not eat any portion nor take one away with them. But a dog would do that for sport.

Roadrunner should be okay since she at least has one duckling. You could give them both electrolytes, which helps with stress. I know it could take days or weeks though for her to act normal again.

Here's a recipe if you don't have any, but there are a few different variations in Google.

1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons honey OR molasses OR granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda OR 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

If you don't agree with my guess and are sure it's some wild animal, we border a forest, and our dogs, a border collie and corgi keep them out of our yard. Also, several solar motion lights help too.

I hope you figure it out, and again, I'm so sorry!

Actually, I think what happened was, I was outside at the time saying goodbye to my parents. Whatever the animal was took off leaving them there. Except one. Then, I went straight to the backyard. They were all, except one, dead. I picked them up and I put them side by side while I looked for the last one that had probably already been taken. I was not far away at all, but somehow while I was doing that and maybe putting another Muscovy away, the predator came back and took them all except one. My guess is that he couldn't carry them all. So she doesn't have any. Zero ducklings. I'm so angry with myself that I didn't take them when she first brought them back! He's got 10 other Muscovy family members. At least a dozen layer ducks 90s. They were like one big happy family. No dog could have gotten in there. So I guess the question is, if she lost all of her ducklings to a predator, will she be ok? Should I get her more and keep them in a barn? I can't imagine losing my babies

 

[Miss Lydia]

What kind of fencing did you have them in? there are so many predators that can climb Foxes, dogs, coyotes, raccoons just to name a few. So very sorry for your loses. Like was mentioned Roadrunner is in shock it will take a while for her to get over the trauma are you sure she isn't injured you examined her all over? Can you find ducklings same age as hers? only problem will she accept them.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

What kind of fencing did you have them in? there are so many predators that can climb Foxes, dogs, coyotes, raccoons just to name a few. So very sorry for your loses. Like was mentioned Roadrunner is in shock it will take a while for her to get over the trauma are you sure she isn't injured you examined her all over? Can you find ducklings same age as hers? only problem will she accept them.

What baffles me is how fast they took the dead babies while we were working right there! I'm trying to find a couple ducklings. We don't really have neighbors. The one neighbor has 5 dogs and 2 outside cats. But their yard is fenced in. We have random fencing around the yard. Predators could definitely get in, but this was a stealth taking.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You should go here and post someone there can most likely help you figure out what did this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/predators-and-pests.13/