Today 2 of my ducks died, and i believe it was my fault

[Samie711]

I just needed to post this sort of a small vent and to warn other duck owners out there. 5 months ago I bought 4 little pekin ducklings and I love each and every one of them to death. I've raised ducks before so I usually know how things go when raising them. Well my 5 month old ducks are doing great, until today. This morning I marched them out to there pond just like every day, made sure they were takin care of, and left for work. Well when I returned and checked on my ducks. 2 were dead. I was heartbroken, started crying and got everybody out. 2 of my ducks made it, just a little shook up, but the other 2 completely drowned. I don't know how this happend, they were able to get out and never had a problem. All were healthy and great swimmers, they are jumbo Pekin and have all there feathers in and act completely normal. I'm at loss, I feel horrible, they had ways to get out of the pond but didn't. I don't know why. Was this my fault? Maybe I should have stayed and watched them idk. Any idea what could have happend? Anything I should look out for in the future? These are my babies and I'm distraught. I'm sorry if this is choppy or sounds weird, I'm tired from all the crying. Ty in advance.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry to hear that. How did you find them? And evidence of predators? Is this a natural pond?

 

[Kingbobkingdom]

I'm so sorry
I hope you feel better soon!

I don't have any advice, but I would just watch the pond each time they go in it.

 

[Samie711]

I'm sorry to hear that. How did you find them? And evidence of predators?

The 2 were just floating, and there bodies were tense, every sign that they drowned was there. No signs of predators either, the ponds in a well sheltered area, never seen any snakes, hawks, etc.

 

[Kingbobkingdom]

The 2 were just floating, and there bodies were tense, every sign that they drowned was there. No signs of predators either, the ponds in a well sheltered area, never seen any snakes, hawks, etc.

any turtles? just a guess...
do they have injuries or health problems?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I’m sorry for the loss of your two babies
It’s hard to say for sure what happened to them
Don’t blame yourself as duck owners we get them a little flock so we don’t have to be with them 24-7
I’m not out with my ducks all day and leave the house often.
Let’s try to narrow down what could have happened so your other two are safe
How big is the pond ? We’re you able to collect the ones that passed?
Did they have any leg issues ?
What about any wet feather ?
Girls or boys ?

 

[nuthatched]

The 2 were just floating, and there bodies were tense, every sign that they drowned was there. No signs of predators either, the ponds in a well sheltered area, never seen any snakes, hawks, etc.

I doubt this was your fault, I'd bet there's something lurking about down there.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Snapping turtles will drown ducks and usually eat them was there any sign of trauma?

 

[ruthhope]

Don't blame yourself, @Samie711, these were adult size ducks well capable of getting in and out of the pond. None of us can be there for our ducks 24/7. I only breath a sigh of relief at nighttime when I lock mine into the safety of their shed.
I would not let your remaining ducks free range onto that pond. There is something there that is drowning your ducks. My guess would be a snapping turtle -- I don't know where you are but a young alligator should be visible to you. Alligators have been known to drown small animals [and alas a small child at Disney in FL only a few years ago] but they mainly kill to eat.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I just needed to post this sort of a small vent and to warn other duck owners out there. 5 months ago I bought 4 little pekin ducklings and I love each and every one of them to death. I've raised ducks before so I usually know how things go when raising them. Well my 5 month old ducks are doing great, until today. This morning I marched them out to there pond just like every day, made sure they were takin care of, and left for work. Well when I returned and checked on my ducks. 2 were dead. I was heartbroken, started crying and got everybody out. 2 of my ducks made it, just a little shook up, but the other 2 completely drowned. I don't know how this happend, they were able to get out and never had a problem. All were healthy and great swimmers, they are jumbo Pekin and have all there feathers in and act completely normal. I'm at loss, I feel horrible, they had ways to get out of the pond but didn't. I don't know why. Was this my fault? Maybe I should have stayed and watched them idk. Any idea what could have happend? Anything I should look out for in the future? These are my babies and I'm distraught. I'm sorry if this is choppy or sounds weird, I'm tired from all the crying. Ty in advance.

Were any of these ducks drakes?