Author Topic: young runner ducks disappeared into thick hedgerow cant find them!!! (Read 3743 times)

farmers wife · « **on:** September 14, 2015, 08:12:49 pm »

Shouldnt of let them out so soon put them in the large orchard with the white ducks and geese, two disappeared into the hedgerow, and now the last one has gone too. Last night we spotted one but werent quick enough. Spent hours thrashing and pocking. Nothing tonight its too wet and windy and dark!!! Is there anyway of finding them they are dark so well camouflaged. Not sure how long they will last out in the wilderness have we just got to accept they are gone? Do I assume they've gone further or do they stay put? What more can we do?

devonlady · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2015, 08:19:00 am »

I think just cross your fingers and hope! A good strong torch shone into the hedge may show them up at night when they will be easy to catch (as long as your hedges aren't thorn or holly!! Good luck.

farmers wife · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2015, 09:06:19 am »

The old hedge comes with a health warning - its lethal! Because the land is rough inside the hedge you cant see the ducks. My husband is spitting feathers over their stupidity & waste of money. I cant understand I let the other ducks out to see if that would attract them I can only assume the fox is going to get them. Weather was so rough last night it was no fun.

doganjo · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2015, 01:18:03 pm »

Hope they didn't cost too much........ I think you'll be lucky to get them back, fox more likely to have them

You could try feeding your others at the same time every day and hope the runners are hungry

farmers wife · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2015, 02:57:00 pm »

yeap thats £45 wasted - our stupidity should of kept them in the shed longer - no doubt fox fooder - gutted!

shygirl · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2015, 08:03:16 pm »

Live and learn. My runners went to next doors pond and didn't come back. Fox got them.

Clansman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2015, 12:17:44 am »

Don't give up yet, hunger may bring them back, it's starting to get colder, less food around for them.

bb41 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:15:18 am »

I rescue ex bat hens and ducks, I took possession of another 20 last week who were the most skittish I have ever had.

I spent 4 nights wrestling to get them into their night house as they wouldn't go near my hens.

Apart from me being out until dark , covered in mud and stung every where I quickly built a holding pen to herd them in first safely and then fed them in their house .

After 4 days they go in happily. My advice is still to feed at the same time in the morning and a bit later in the evening this may entice them back if still alive .