R.I.P Quacklemore

[Coldbreeze]

Sadly one of my white crested ducks got killed this morning. The head was removed and the body left.

So this doesn't happen again I'm looking at a medium dog pen (ya know the one with chain link) and then wrapping that with chicken cloth. Adding a tarp to the top for shade.

My question is what can I do for the area around it? I believe either a racoon got to him or a rat. So I have to prevent them from digging under and getting in that way. I've thought about putting bricks but I feel like that does close to nothing.

Would digging half a foot and adding cloth in the dirt help?

Send hugs to my best friends 6 year old who claimed him. She just found out about an hour ago as she went out into the backyard looking for him. Many tears shed

 

[Canadian Wind]

I'm so sorry! It's always devastating when something like this happens. Please give the little girl a hug for me. My grandson (aged 8) also went through something similar.

To prevent digging, I would take some 1/2" x 1/2" hardware mesh and place it around the outside bottom, and folded outwards, about a foot out.

 

[Callender Girl]

When you say, "chicken cloth," I hope you mean hardware cloth and not chicken wire, which won't stop predators.

Many folks dig down and add hardware cloth; I just add a hardware cloth apron that extends out from the run and lay concrete square stepping stones on top of the aprons, which sounds like what @Canadian Wind is suggesting.

I am very sorry for Quacklemore's loss and for the little one who found him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

very sorry for your loss.

 

[Coldbreeze]

Yes. I meant hardware cloth.

Apron? Excuse me for being silly here but a kitchen apron is popping up in my brain.

 

[Callender Girl]

I think that just proves that even in trying times, you still have a sense of humor -- it is something beyond measure!

Hmm, maybe the birds would appreciate a few frilly aprons?