Should I Let Them Out Or Not?

[Finny]

So I recently had a hawk kill one of my ducks when they were free ranging and I was in the house. The hawk attacked in the ten minute time frame from where I left the room in my house that looks out over the yard so I could see the ducks. Now I am keeping my remaining ducks in their pen 24/7unless I am outside with them. But everytime I look down at their pen they are all huddled near the door and they obviously really want to come out. When I go in to feed them they usually make a break for outside the pen. I am feeling really guilty about them being stuck in their pen all the time, especially since I am at school all day and play sports so I can't be outside with them a lot. And they look so happy when they are free ranging and doing what ducks do.

My question is, should Iet them free range even with the threat of hawks or continue to keep them penned? They are happier free ranging but I don't want to lose anymore to hawks. My ducks are pets and I love them very much.

I have predator tape hung up around the pen and I am thinking about getting some owl statues to keep the hawks away as well. This will decrease the amount of deaths to hawks but I am thinking their will still be some problems. I just want them to be happy.

 

[Learningstill]

You might want to watch this before you attempt the owl statue method.

As far as letting them out, I would wait for a week or two. Our hawk came back a few days later after the first attack. Then around two weeks later. They seem to rotate every couple of weeks. Not sure if you have many hawks, but we have noticed this around us. Also, as more prey emerge from hibernation, return through migration, and everything blooms your ducks may not be the main choice and then maybe you can let them out more often.

Best of luck!

 

[Finny]

Thanks for the quick response! I don't think i will do the owl idea after seeing that video, don't want to attract hawks! I may try letting them out as the weather gets warmer. The hawk had killed my duck 2 or 3 weeks ago and had killed another one about a month earlier than that.

 

[nayeli]

I would, but do they have a bush or anything to hide under? I know ours like to hide in bushes and it gives them some degree of protection from aerial predators. Also can you make them a run, maybe even a moveable one that will protect them and still allow them to free range?

I'm sorry for your losses, but I'm for keeping the ducks happy!

 

[Finny]

They have a pretty large run, and I have a trampoline near the run that they like to go under and play in the mud when I let them out of the pen. But I dont think the ducks are smart enough to know when to go under the trampoline. The hawk killed my duck about 15 feet away from the trampoline. Or maybe the ducks were trying to make a run for it and hawk got one before they could make it?

 

[Learningstill]

It really does not matter if they have something to hide under because a hawk will enter that area and attack.

Here is a video to prove they will attack if they want to. If I were you I would mute prior to viewing.

 

[nayeli]

@Learningstill Even providing a row of bushes for your chickens to hide beneath near the coop offers good help for them in case of flying predators. Birds of prey can't effectively swoop down through branches, and your chickens will (hopefully) still be able to see through them to determine when it's safe to come out again.

That is a quote. The hawk has to know there is food there and be able to get to it. My bushes have thorns, while I know it isn't as good as a fenced in run it does offer a degree of protection, not to mention allows them to HIDE.

 

[Learningstill]

I too like to believe shelter helps and I understand a hawk needs room to swoop down, but as you can see in the video, if a hawk wants your birds it will adjust its typical hunting methods. That was my point, not to be specific in my personal beliefs. We are practicing fishing line methods which work based on that theory.
But thanks for the tips!

 

[decomposed]

I would try to build a scarecrow and see if that works.

 

[Amiga]

When my ducks agitate to come out of the Day Pen, I just reflect on how they have plenty of room to be healthy, and they are relatively safe, with a swim pan, food, good bedding, and we go for walks regularly.

Some days they must stay in the night pen or day pen for longer than I would like, ideally. But they are protected, and not suffering.