Dear Chicken Lady,
I'am so sorry to hear about your poor ducks. I have ducks and chickens. Went through five beautiful ducks eaten up by either Racoons or by opossums. The first two were Rouens that had bite holes in their bills and the breast's were eaten out. Their heads were intact so I believe it was a opossum. I don't know for sure if it was a opossum or not but there was a small hole dug out at the bottom of the fence and I'am not sure that a racoon could have fit through the hole.
The other three were attacked by racoons because I saw the racoons trail of blood on the upper fence. I had seen the racoon that night climbing the fence and chased him off so I know it was a racoon. He came back later on. (He chewed rite through the Deer Netting and entered. Don't use Deer-Netting, it's not predator proof. What was I thinking ?)The breast were eaten out but no marks on the bills so I really believe it was two different animals. There were three ducks in the "duck-coop" that night and only one was killed. Why not the other two ?? I have no clue !!
It makes one wonder if our protection for these animals need to be re-evaluated. I have been re-doing my run, coop, and overhead enclosure constantly. I have a hard time sleeping at night sometimes wondering if every thing is locked up or if there are racoons digging up my fence to kill my animals. I have racoons wondering outside all night.
I chased a racoon off this morning at 9:00 am....it's daytime for christ sake and these darn racoons are still out looking for a meal. My fear is that I will not be around next time there's a coon in the yard.
It's sad when all you want is a peaceful life and happy and healthy animals that you adore and give them the best care you could possibly give and to loose them to a predator in the wee hours of the night. Why do we bother ?? Why do we put ourselves through the stress and hurt when things go wrong ?
Because we have to learn a lesson from this . Do it better the next time. Have the best, safest environment you can possibly provide and if your lucky you can have peace of mind and a stress free life with these beautiful creatures God has provided for us
I hope you get another duck or two for the little one left behind. Ducks need other ducks to be with. Some will not survive alone. I lost two Drakes and replaced them as soon as I could with two more ducklings. Now I have pairs and they are so happy. Good Luck my friend and dont give up. Just do better........
I'am so sorry to hear about your poor ducks. I have ducks and chickens. Went through five beautiful ducks eaten up by either Racoons or by opossums. The first two were Rouens that had bite holes in their bills and the breast's were eaten out. Their heads were intact so I believe it was a opossum. I don't know for sure if it was a opossum or not but there was a small hole dug out at the bottom of the fence and I'am not sure that a racoon could have fit through the hole.
The other three were attacked by racoons because I saw the racoons trail of blood on the upper fence. I had seen the racoon that night climbing the fence and chased him off so I know it was a racoon. He came back later on. (He chewed rite through the Deer Netting and entered. Don't use Deer-Netting, it's not predator proof. What was I thinking ?)The breast were eaten out but no marks on the bills so I really believe it was two different animals. There were three ducks in the "duck-coop" that night and only one was killed. Why not the other two ?? I have no clue !!
It makes one wonder if our protection for these animals need to be re-evaluated. I have been re-doing my run, coop, and overhead enclosure constantly. I have a hard time sleeping at night sometimes wondering if every thing is locked up or if there are racoons digging up my fence to kill my animals. I have racoons wondering outside all night.
I chased a racoon off this morning at 9:00 am....it's daytime for christ sake and these darn racoons are still out looking for a meal. My fear is that I will not be around next time there's a coon in the yard.
It's sad when all you want is a peaceful life and happy and healthy animals that you adore and give them the best care you could possibly give and to loose them to a predator in the wee hours of the night. Why do we bother ?? Why do we put ourselves through the stress and hurt when things go wrong ?
Because we have to learn a lesson from this . Do it better the next time. Have the best, safest environment you can possibly provide and if your lucky you can have peace of mind and a stress free life with these beautiful creatures God has provided for us
I hope you get another duck or two for the little one left behind. Ducks need other ducks to be with. Some will not survive alone. I lost two Drakes and replaced them as soon as I could with two more ducklings. Now I have pairs and they are so happy. Good Luck my friend and dont give up. Just do better........
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