Predator Overload

[reallybugsme]

Hi All, I have read, reread and read again many, many pages and postings on the site and it has been extremely educational. I admit to being overwhelmed in my quest for answers against predators and the correct run/pen/housing, so much so that I believe I am giving up on the hope of having ducks :-(. Every idea/solution I have come up with leads to another problem ...electric fences, covering the runs, correctly burying enough wire to prohibit digging inside and the like. I have even considered a guardian dog which comes with another set of issues. Free ranging, even during the day and even if I were home seems to be out of the question. And did you know that my pond that I thought could be perfect for ducks likely has snapping turtles in it? And of course, there are conflicting opinions on what works and surely what works for some may not work for others. We have so many predators in the area, bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum, eagle, hawk, rat, mink, my own dogs (I don't know that for sure but would never just 'hope' they like the company of ducks) and I am sure that I am likely missing a few. I tried a few chickens several years back and the set up I had turned out to be definitley sold to a newbie who had not done enough research. They were all killed by a neighboring dog. The good news is that although it doesn't look as if I will have my own to enjoy, I can at least live vicariously through the site. Thanks everyone!

 

[subhanalah]

Sounds like you need to call the turtle man!

 

[reallybugsme]

Do you mean the guy who baited for the snapping turtle in his pond? I guess I could try baiting but there would likely be more...at least if the ones I have seen out on the road are any indication :-/. Haha, and I am pretty sure I would not be a fan of turtle soup...absolutely sure I wouldn't be a fan of cleaning the turtle and making the soup!

 

[subhanalah]

Do you mean the guy who baited for the snapping turtle in his pond?  I guess I could try baiting but there would likely be more...at least if the ones I have seen out on the road are any indication :-/.  Haha, and I am pretty sure I would not be a fan of turtle soup...absolutely sure I wouldn't be a fan of cleaning the turtle and making the soup!

no, I do not condone baiting or hooking snapping turtles. The best way to remove them is to have a "professional" remove them by hand.
The turtle man, you should look him up. "Call of the Wildman" (i think its called)on Netflix or youtube.

 

[Amiga]

I am glad you are thinking about this very clearly ahead of time. I am a little saddened that you might not be able to enjoy some ducks, and hope that you will have an "aha" moment, seeing your way clear to have some ducks that you can keep safe. Smaller numbers may help. We have our ducks in the walkout basement pen at night - that helps. And while they are not totally safe 100% of the time (I take them for walks around the yard and there are raptors in the area - we do pretty well with me constantly accompanying them when they are not in the Day Pen or the Night Pen.

But it is unnerving, knowing there are so many duck-eating predators so close.

 

[reallybugsme]

Thank you, Amiga. I think your suggestion of going with a smaller number is spot on. I had been thinking four but would you say that's too many? My thought was to build a pen or run that could hold 10-12 allowing plenty of room for just the four. Also, a house locked at night was included in my plan. It appears my mind is still churning...maybe I will have that 'aha' moment!

 

[reallybugsme]

The turtle man sounds fascinating but I'm guessing that although he may be successful in relocating what is there, there would be little to no long term effect.

 

[subhanalah]

The turtle man sounds fascinating but I'm guessing that although he may be successful in relocating what is there, there would be little to no long term effect.  

you can always look for nests..,but gotta make sure you know your local herp laws before you go messing with them. Apparently, it's a pretty successful method of control.

Better than baiting/hooking or trapping. You can eat them too. That's what you're supposed to make turtle soup out of.

 

[reallybugsme]

I wonder if the reason I don't actually frequently see the known predators (I can hear coyote though) is due to my dogs? One is quite large at 150 lbs. but they are all house dogs who are only outside when I am.

 

[Amiga]

I think that is a distinct possibility - just the presence of dogs may convey more trouble than the predators are currently interested in risking.