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What killed my ducks?

Discussion in 'Predators and Pests' started by Sarahrose, Apr 17, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Apr 17, 2012 #1
    Sarahrose

    Sarahrose New Egg

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    Apr 17, 2012
    I lost two rouen ducks last week. I let my ducks free range on our property. I came home from work and 2 of the three were dead. the only wounds I could find were to their backs - very little blood and no gore. If I hadnt looked, I wouldnt have been able to find any injury. Do avian predators strike during daylight and if so, what would go after 2 large ducks?? I dont think it was a fox or coyote b/c we have a dog and a donkey and they keep all the chickens and ducks safe - as long as they stay in the fenced property. [​IMG]
     
  3. Apr 17, 2012 #2
    WooingWyandotte

    WooingWyandotte Overrun With Chickens

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    It could have been almost anything. Since it was during the daylight, maybe a hawk?
     
  5. Apr 17, 2012 #3
    beauh

    beauh Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Yeah that big island thats also a continent.
    It was properly a gang of crows- they are vicous towards ducks, I know from my own experiences. They keep attacking until the ducks die of fright or pain.
     
  7. Apr 17, 2012 #4
    beauh

    beauh Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Yeah that big island thats also a continent.
    Was the last surviving one a male or the best flier??
     
  9. Apr 17, 2012 #5
    Sarahrose

    Sarahrose New Egg

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    Apr 17, 2012
    the third one is my girl and she is on a clutch of eggs under a low tree right up near the house in a raised flower garden.
     
  11. Apr 17, 2012 #6
    Sarahrose

    Sarahrose New Egg

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    Apr 17, 2012
    CROWS?? that's awful! I wouldnt have suspected a gang of crows.ugh...
     
  13. Apr 17, 2012 #7
    cadams

    cadams Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Tom Bean Tx
    Thats why they are called a Murder of Crows. Hawks and Owls aren't the only thing they torment. I have scared them off from my mallards more than once.
     
  15. Apr 17, 2012 #8
    Oregon Blues

    Oregon Blues Overrun With Chickens

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    If you make the decision to free range, and especially if you decide to leave the birds out while you aren't home, you must accept that it involves losses.

    If nothing was eaten, it is extremely unlikely that it was hawks. Hawks don't kill for sport; they kill to eat.

    Your own dog or donkey could have injured the ducks. Magpies, crow, or dogs. Mink and weasels will kill ducks and they don't eat anything but the blood. Rats will kill poultry. Large feral cats are capable of killing poultry. Neighborhood kids sometimes throw rocks that injure birds.

    It could have been almost anything.
     

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