Probable laying hen--a few questions

[Skye'sDucks]

So I just went outside to check on the ducks, and as I looked I realized my hen was missing. They are Muscovies.

She is the mother of ducklings (which are fully feathered now--about 13 weeks) and I have just recently reintroduced our drake, who is the father.

They free range in a very big area, and I walked about half the length of it both ways. It has a creek with high banks on both sides, and I haven't resorted to crossing it yet because I also had a bucket with treats that I shook. No duck.

I know there is a hawk that has recently been around, but she is a fully grown adult Muscovy female, and I highly doubt a red tail (I think that's what we have? Either that or a red shoulder) could carry her off. There is no blood or excess amount of feathers anywhere, so since I just recently reintroduced the drake, I figured she's probably out there somewhere making a nest.

And, to make it clear, we have no other predators in the area that I know of. They free range day and night because of this, and she was here this morning. (And yes, its in a neighborhood, but I don't think a person would steal one duck out of over twenty, who are all accounted for except said missing duck? She's not even super friendly anymore)

I'm not too super worried, but I wanted to ask everyone a few questions. This is my first time dealing with a (possible) laying duck that's not in a smaller yard, where I could easily find her. Should I worry that something has gotten her, or will time only tell? My one worry is that she's injured somewhere and didn't respond to the shaking of treats or me walking by.

Should I expect the hen to come by at some point for food if she's laying? Will she stay with the nest until she starts laying? I've experienced her laying once before, but it was in a smaller yard, and it was easy to find. Now she's got TONS of bushes and hidey spots...

Sorry for the long post. All of you guys have been so helpful to me before with duck problems, which I seem to have a lot of. I'm a newer duck owner of one year, so thank you for any responses. I just want my girl to be safe.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve never had mine go broody again so fast after hatching duckling but mine lay in their house so they are easy to find. I hope she comes home because we never know what predators we have till someone ends up missing . My
Muscovy females probably weigh around 5 lbs could a red tail swoop in an grab one I am not sure but I have seen some pretty big red tails here.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

A red tail couldn’t pick up a fully grown duck and carry it off. It would slam into it, then eat on site or close by. You’d see feathers in any case.

 

[Kylo_Hen!]

I'm sorry you lost your ducky i have always wanted some ducks i have chickens which are nice to

 

[Miss Lydia]

If she is full flight she may have flown off too. They love to fly.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I’ve never had mine go broody again so fast after hatching duckling but mine lay in their house so they are easy to find. I hope she comes home because we never know what predators we have till someone ends up missing . My
Muscovy females probably weigh around 5 lbs could a red tail swoop in an grab one I am not sure but I have seen some pretty big red tails here.

Thank you, I hope she turns up too. I was planning on trying to set up some areas nearby with golf balls or something to coax them to lay there, but I haven't done it yet because I wasn't expecting eggs for a while.

I've seen the hawk, and it seems like it's at least my hen's size. I can't be sure since I've never gotten too close. The only obvious predators I could think of is if somebody's dog got out, since their area backs up to other peoples' houses and I know several people nearby have dogs. But again, I'd think I'd see evidence of that, and I am unsure about other predators.

A red tail couldn’t pick up a fully grown duck and carry it off. It would slam into it, then eat on site or close by. You’d see feathers in any case.

That's what I was thinking. And with 20 + other ducks around, I figured that unless she was isolated, the hawk wouldn't try to grab her. Especially since there are smaller hens in the flock. There are no feathers anywhere; nothing where they were when I first went out and found her missing, or anywhere else.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

If she is full flight she may have flown off too. They love to fly.

I haven't seen exact evidence of her flying; I know we clipped her wings a while ago but have been letting them grow out. That could be possible. I don't know what her flying capabilities are, exactly.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just really hard to say hopefully she’ll come home soon

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I'm happy to say that my hen has suddenly reappeared!

Is it possible that she was starting a nest? I'm very doubtful, but I do not know. It could be possible that she flew somewhere, though her flight feathers haven't appeared to be totally in yet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well how long have her and the drake been back together mating she could have been out there making a nest follow her I had to do that 3 different times with my old English game bantam hen it’s not easy but it can be done.its def not safe here for my females to brood out side of their houses.