RIP my two drakes... :(

[Ducktown]

I've lost 2 drakes in less than a week. First one that went missing was the one that I hatched. He was fierce, brave and took great care of his flock. He was the one that followed me and answered my calls, using him, I could get the flock wherever I wanted to. On a snowy night, ducks remained outside in their pool. In the morning, I noticed there were only 4 ducks (1 of them drake) and the drake was missing. I thought at first the bamboo that was laid all the way to the soil level and even fell into the pond, somehow crushed him or surprised him when sleeping, making him drown in the pond. I checked everything, and he was not there. I was almost certain at that point, that someone took him, because there were no signs of a struggle which would be the case if an animal predator would get him. There was a slight possibility that he would walk away from the other ducks and could not find them in heavy snowfall, but I guess that would be highly unlikely. I hoped he would be alive and would return the following day..

Now, 5 days later, I closed my ducks into their coop and the following morning, I have noticed there was another drake missing! Someone opened the coop, took out the drake and closed it back again.
Now, I attached a lock on the coop and locked the remaining 3 ducks inside. They are hardly walking away from the pond now and they were noticeably stressed when I forced them into their coop. They don't feel safe there anymore. Actually, I made it easy for the idiot that steals them.

I hope the guy who took them chokes on them and dies a terrible and painful death. If I find him roaming around, I may help him myself. How can anyone do such a thing is beyond me!

Rest in peace DuckMan and your black feathery companion.

 

[sumi]

I'm so sorry for your losses

 

[Bridger Davis]

I've lost 2 drakes in less than a week. First one that went missing was the one that I hatched. He was fierce, brave and took great care of his flock. He was the one that followed me and answered my calls, using him, I could get the flock wherever I wanted to. On a snowy night, ducks remained outside in their pool. In the morning, I noticed there were only 4 ducks (1 of them drake) and the drake was missing. I thought at first the bamboo that was laid all the way to the soil level and even fell into the pond, somehow crushed him or surprised him when sleeping, making him drown in the pond. I checked everything, and he was not there. I was almost certain at that point, that someone took him, because there were no signs of a struggle which would be the case if an animal predator would get him. There was a slight possibility that he would walk away from the other ducks and could not find them in heavy snowfall, but I guess that would be highly unlikely. I hoped he would be alive and would return the following day..

Now, 5 days later, I closed my ducks into their coop and the following morning, I have noticed there was another drake missing! Someone opened the coop, took out the drake and closed it back again.
Now, I attached a lock on the coop and locked the remaining 3 ducks inside. They are hardly walking away from the pond now and they were noticeably stressed when I forced them into their coop. They don't feel safe there anymore. Actually, I made it easy for the idiot that steals them.

I hope the guy who took them chokes on them and dies a terrible and painful death. If I find him roaming around, I may help him myself. How can anyone do such a thing is beyond me!

Rest in peace DuckMan and your black feathery companion.

What a tragic story! What was your setup like before? Could you by chance provide pictures? I'm just trying to imagine how someone could take them so easily. Once again, sorry for your losses and I'm frustrated and sad for you!!

 

[sannabelle]

Do you live in a neighborhood? If so I'd be asking for your neighbors security cam footage if they have cameras up. If you're in the country....must be some brave person to come on to your property and steal from you!! that wouldn't be too well received around here!

Sorry for your losses

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry for you loss, following your story with your first duckling was so enjoyable so sorry this has happened. Keep them locked up at night most likely who ever did this will try again.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Are there any footprints that can confirm it was human?

 

[chickens really]

That's terrible...It had to have been done by someone that knew you have Ducks or can they be seen from the road?..I feel sad for you....

 

[GeoGreyWolf]

Wow so sorry for your loss, I hope you catch whoever did it. Might want to look at setting up a camera, maybe one of the game cameras hunters use.

 

[Ducktown]

Do you live in a neighborhood? If so I'd be asking for your neighbors security cam footage if they have cameras up. If you're in the country....must be some brave person to come on to your property and steal from you!! that wouldn't be too well received around here!

Sorry for your losses

We are in rural part of a small town. There are neighbors around us, but none of them has security camera. They often say they are missing vegetables from the garden. Could be the same guy.

Are there any footprints that can confirm it was human?

No, the soil was completely frozen at that time, and the first time, there was fresh snow and it must have disappeared in the evening, right after it started. The second drake was taken out of their hut during the night. The asshole who took him closed it again after he had taken him out. The thing is, they somehow left the coop one evening not long after it went dark. I thought they were able to open the door by themselves and left them outside in their pond - the next night, someone stole the second drake. I guess he tried the first time, but the ducks managed to run away because he got surprised.

That's terrible...It had to have been done by someone that knew you have Ducks or can they be seen from the road?..I feel sad for you....

My thoughts exactly. They were roaming around and could be seen from our street road. It's a remote part with only residents and some folks that work around here, so it must have been one of the locals. I will now make a duck coop alarm system and kick someone's arse if I ever see him snooping around.

Thank you all for kind words. These drakes were fabulous. I miss them and the hens even more so! One of them started acting like a drake now and she even breeds the other two. I'll have to get them a drake that is at least a bit domesticated.

Here's the coop...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2JgrW5jnDQXXaqlj1


https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vdl0FFVBsvTBdnHE2

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’m so sorry for your loss that’s terrible
I live on a corner property down the block from a high school should I get a dashcam to watch my coops?