Rats would have to be very hungry and the duck would have to be some how hurt, possibly with open wounds for the rats to go after it. They would rather gather their food (duck feed) than hunt for it!
Rats? Anyone have duck death from rats?
- Thread starter learycow
- Start date
Rats are a massive concern for ducklings, chicks and banties(eggs too) but yes, they are after the cheap and easy meal.
- Thread starter
- #13
So maybe not a rat then. My birds are all healthy and were in tip top shape when I let them out of their coop that day.
Maybe a havaheart trap would be a good idea incase it is something other than a rat?
Maybe a havaheart trap would be a good idea incase it is something other than a rat?
So sorry for your loss. I had a mink attack my Calls and a Pekin/Campbell mix. I lost the two Calls, it was 3PM in the summer, so it was practically the middle of the day. On my bigger duck it went right for her neck and her "thigh" area. I saw the mink leaving, as I was just locking up. I could see that my Call pair was dead, so I focused on my Pekin mix. I left the scene with her, so I could begin treating her. My Mom went out to dispose of the Call pair, and found that the mink had returned and taken one of the Calls away. Even after I scared it, it came back not 15 minutes later. It chewed through the wire of the cage to get in. We were not able to trap it. My Pekin mix survived, amazingly. Sadly, she prolapsed 6 months later. I hope you figure out and trap what it was before it gets something else.
- Thread starter
- #15
So, figured out to day that it was NOT a rat.
I was leaving my house and happened to look at my duck pen and there was a HUGE red tailed hawk. Killed another duck and was eating it.
Go figure. Something I'm not supposed to kill and I have no idea how to get rid of it. I free range and pen birds but it looks like everyone will have to stay cooped until I can figure out how to keep him away from my birds.
This sucks
I was leaving my house and happened to look at my duck pen and there was a HUGE red tailed hawk. Killed another duck and was eating it.
Go figure. Something I'm not supposed to kill and I have no idea how to get rid of it. I free range and pen birds but it looks like everyone will have to stay cooped until I can figure out how to keep him away from my birds.
This sucks
- Feb 23, 2014
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Ohhh I don't know what to say if it's a hawk sorry for your loss
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks, it definitely is as I SAW him today. It really bums me out
I suspected a bird of prey, but assumed it happened at night. Perhaps a call into your local wildlife department is in order? Sorry for your losses. Is it possible to net your free range area?
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- Feb 23, 2014
- 25
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i agree with that you should call your local wildlife agency
Do fake owls deter hawks? I've heard of people trying reflective tape and also hanging blank CD's on string where they can swing around to catch the light.
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