Sad Day - Lost 14 Muscovy babies to a rainstorm

[9Tiptoes]

Woke up to a rainstorm yesterday only to find out 30 minutes later that we had lost ALL 14 of our 3 week old Muscovy ducklings. We free range our birds, but they were with their mother in a place that should have been safe, but when we went out to do chores, they were all dead and their mama, Molly was quite distraught. The boys (our 3 drakes) came running when they heard her, but she wanted nothing to do with them. It was so very sad and I felt powerless to help her.
I've never seen anything like it. It was almost as if a bomb had gone off; their little bodies were strewn all over the area, but there was no indication of flood water. I've searched this forum and elsewhere online looking for any indication of this ever happening to anyone else, but I've not found anything.
Has anyone ever run across something like this? Ducklings drowning in the rain?

Attached is a photo of Molly and her babies the day they hatched.

 

[SpaghettiJo]

so sorry for your loss
hopefully your mama duck will recover from her loss as well and I'm sorry i couldn't be of more help... not much experience with ducks and such.. ill be praying for you and your mama duck to recover

 

[9Tiptoes]

Thank you. I'm hoping she recovers as well. She and her sister were my first 'babies'.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What about lightening? Maybe lightening hit the ground close by that may have been enough to scatter the lil bodies. When lightening hit here it hit went into the ground and travel about 10' before coming back out.

Very sorry for your losses.

 

[feistyoldbird]

I'm so sorry you lost all those ducklings. I would think lightning also by your description. If not lighting, could an underground electrical wire be faulty? We all do our best to keep are charges safe. I hurt for you and mamma duck.

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[chickens really]

They were killed by another Duck....Sorry but you introduced them too soon and that happens..

 

[barred2rock]

They were so lovely, sorry for your loss!
My thought was lightning as well.

 

[User395221]

I'm so sorry, that must have been heartbreaking for you.

 

[3crazyboys]

I have heard this lightening phenomenon before too. I am so so sorry for your loss... My heart breaks for you and Molly