The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Daisys Mum on June 13, 2014, 06:18:41 pm
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Mother duck and her 7 babies were shut in a stable last night and when I opened the door this morning there were only 5 ??? . There is a way in from the next stable just under the roof and there is also a hole in the door where a rat chewed it's way in a couple of years ago.
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my first guess would have been rat unless you have proof otherwise...
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How old are the ducklings? I would think rat as well, unfortunately, horrible things. I would move them otherwise it might be back for more.
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Definitely a rat - we keep all our ducklings in weld mesh pens, 1 quarter inch, top, bottom, side. Once in a similar pen on concrete in the hay store then was knaw mark and blood on the timber frames but the ducklings were safe!!!
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We had a chicken wire cage, tiny size holes, including the floor. Made the mistake of siting it on dug earth. A big fat rat burrowed underneath and pulled the tiny ducklings one by one down through the mesh, until we realised what was happening.
Our first terrier when she was still a puppy taught that big fat rat a lesson - it was the same size as Lucy :o but she killed it in one bite and shake. :thumbsup:
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Just found them :excited: , they must have squeezed through the hole and wandered off, a bit wet and hungry they had fallen down into a breeze block. Thank goodness I heard them, :&> :&> :love:
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Oh goodness, that must have been a shock. Glad you found them safe and sound :relief:
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Five little ducks went swimming one day ....... :innocent:
A happy ending, not that common for ducklings at this time of year :D
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Oh brilliant :thumbsup:
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Yippie..... Duckling win :thumbsup:
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That's brilliant news, phew!
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That is very good news. Our dogs love hunting rats and of course we have a farm cat, who adopted us, and sorts out any rat problem, also I can leave her in the garden with the hens and she leaves them be, quite gentle really. :)