Author Topic: Bad baby mallard news (Read 3938 times)

monkeysox · « **on:** August 12, 2011, 12:30:31 pm »

Sadly my 5 has now become 2 - I came home from work yesterday and all 3 of my ducks had disappeared without a trace

I am now left with my 2 drakes. OH clipped there wings the other evening so they havent flown off. Any ideas anyone? We did wonder about a fox but there were no feathers and why only take the ducks and not the drakes?

jaykay · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2011, 12:42:10 pm »

Mmmm, might of been the raggle-taggle gypsies, otherwise known as the local mallard drakes, leading them astray. I had a call duck who used to spend nights out with them on the river, only to return when she got hungry or wanted smaller, more civilised company

They can walk/flutter some distances.

I hope they return

Sylvia · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2011, 04:02:18 pm »

They can fly at a surprisingly young age.

monkeysox · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2011, 04:06:17 pm »

Theyve had there wings clipped - they aren't really babies any more

lill · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2011, 05:54:37 pm »

could it not have been the 2 legged fox, ducks seem to be more precious than drakes

but i do hope you get them back

goosepimple · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:31:40 pm »

I'm not a wing clipper I must admit, if Mr Fox comes round it's about their only chance of making a getaway - and anyway, who wouldn't want to fly if they could? We had a dog otter take our non flying runners and campbells when we came here, or mink is also a possibility.

Barrett · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2011, 03:29:16 pm »

Hello, check the skies, it may sound bonkers check to see if you have any birds of pray nesting anywhere, we have buzzards and they do pester my chickens and chicks somewhat, they will just swoop down and not leave any trace or mess.

jaykay · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2011, 06:51:14 pm »

I lost a call drake to a buzzard

I suppose it might just be coincidence that the ducks have gone?

monkeysox · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2011, 09:47:48 am »

2 of my girlies have come home

We think they escaped the pen but then got very hungry! They came home starving bless them. I have made the pen more secure and so far we still have 4!