Will owls kill ducks?

[desertdarlene]

I wouldn't underestimate even a small owl unless it was really small like a borrowing owl or a short eared owl. So, I would make sure that run is covered well. But, mostly great horned owls are the most serious. If the owls can't get into the pen, it's probably nothing to worry about.

Does it sound like the owls are hissing a lot? Or making clicking noises? Then, it might be a barn owl. They don't usually hunt adult ducks, but could hurt a duckling under two weeks old. Great horned owls are very, very loud. The male hoots and sometimes the female will screech.

 

[Duckchick2011]

You horrible thread hyjackers!....

Thanks for the replies guys. I couldn't see the owls so I couldn't really tell how big they were, I could only hear them making the sounds they were making which were just your typical owl hoots, very very loud owl hoots(whoo who who huo whoo...or something like that). I can't hear them anymore so I'm assuming they were just attracted by the sounds of my ducklings in the brooder outside. Seeing as those are under lock down I suppose they gave up and left.
I was only concerned because although my ducks have cover they don't always choose to use it. It kinda bugged me when I realized there were owls literally right over their heads and all they could do was splash around in their pool, but I suppose they were too big or the owls just weren't very hungry.
I'd say crisis averted, thanks for the advise everybody, even you terrible thread hyjackers you

 

[desertdarlene]

Sounds like great horned owls. Great horned owls are serious, I would secure any ducks that are out right now. They might be back. Lost some of my favorite wild ducks at the lake to them recently.

 

[Duckchick2011]

Awww man, I just looked up how the great horned owls sound, it sent a chill down my spine cause that literally is the only kind of owl sound I've ever heard out here...and I hear them a lot

(At least now I know realize why wild ducks do not hang around here very long O.O )

But now I'm in trouble, I've never had the owls come into my yard before, I don't really have a "secure" area for my ducks, just plenty of places for them to lay low and be out of sight and a dog house which they don't use. "sigh" am now envisioning myself rounding up all my ducks and putting them in the laundry room for the night >.< ... At least now I have a good argument for investing in an actual coop

 

[desertdarlene]

Aww, that's too bad. I hope you can figure something out. In the very least, a covered run.

ETA, they don't always hunt ducks, but they do hunt them sometimes. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

(kevin: lets hope that there are no losses for either of us, crossing my fingers for us both!

)

 

[Kevin565]

Quote:
Darlene is right. If it was me I would really consider bringing them in for the time being. Also if your looking to build a coop you could try craigslist for supplies. You can get plenty of lumber for free or cheap.

 

[Kevin565]

Quote:
I truly hope so. Losing a bird is such a rough thing.

 

[veronicasmom]

This may sound totally nuts, but is there something you can do to drive the owls off? I'd google it. Maybe there is some deterrent to owls that you can set up.
I have no idea if this helps, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Kevin565]

Quote:
You are correct. Owls prefer quiet and dark places. To disrupt this many people put out guard likes as well as a radio. This helps to deter some but there is always a few who will test the boundaries. Just remember you can not harm the bird because they are a protected species.