Dilemma with free ranging ducks.

[mrsmojos]

Hiyah, can anyone advise on an issue that has occurred these last few months please?
We had 4 indian runner drakes and 5 hens and they were free ranging around the back yard since last spring, then one of us would pop out to lock them in for the night.
But a few months ago 2 hens were snatched - no trail of blood or feathers - just gone! This was around evening time before they were locked up, so we put in a solar door that slides open at sunrise and slides down at sunset so they could tuck themselves in...problem solved we thought but nope.
Again another 2 hens have just gone! We now have 4 drakes and 1 hen.
We're in a dilemma now because do we keep them in a secure fenced pen, where they would be gutted to lose their space, or leave them roaming?
Also, what do you think is doing it? And why only the hens? So bizzare!!
Thank you in advance for all your advice.

 

[Dry Rot]

'Hens' being taken when busy nesting?

I had a fox problem here. Sandy soil and they were just digging into the pens. Since putting up electrified sheep netting a couple of feet outside the pens I haven't lost one. They do't like it up 'em! Just a thought.

 

[mrsmojos]

'Hens' being taken when busy nesting?

I had a fox problem here. Sandy soil and they were just digging into the pens. Since putting up electrified sheep netting a couple of feet outside the pens I haven't lost one. They do't like it up 'em! Just a thought.

Sorry they are indian runner hens and they do their laying in the morning, so it's all very odd, and I'd expect them all to be attacked if it was a fox but there was no blood or dead birds so I'm stuck, although I like your idea of using electrified fencing. Thanks so much

 

[Dry Rot]

An adult fox will sometimes take a single 'hen' to feed cubs. Often, they will not leave a feather out of place, then we see a post similar to yours. A litter of young cubs will learn to kill by attacking a flock in a hen run, making a mess, and leaving carnage as they practice new skills.

I have heard of Indian Runner Ducks but never Indian Runner Hens. And it seems Google hasn't either!

 

[Devil's advocate]

Drakes are real sex pests too, you need at least three ducks to every drake.

 

[mrsmojos]

An adult fox will sometimes take a single 'hen' to feed cubs. Often, they will not leave a feather out of place, then we see a post similar to yours. A litter of young cubs will learn to kill by attacking a flock in a hen run, making a mess, and leaving carnage as they practice new skills.

I have heard of Indian Runner Ducks but never Indian Runner Hens. And it seems Google hasn't either!

Thanks for the feedback, however, we've always called female ducks - hens...and when I checked...so did Google

 

[mrsmojos]

Drakes are real sex pests too, you need at least three ducks to every drake.

I know, that's why I'm so frustrated about only the hens getting snatched...unfortunately there appears to be a shortage of Indian Runners. I've enquired to several farms that hatch them in our area and there is a waiting list - and especially females.

 

[Dry Rot]

Drakes are real sex pests too, you need at least three ducks to every drake.

They are not drakes, they are cockerels!

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

A farmer of 25 years was asked to make a duck shed by his mother for the bottom of the farm garden, his mother had been at him a few times to do it, anyway he surprised her one day with his home made duck shed, and was very proud of the job he made, he managed to get it in situ when his mother was out shopping, when she arrived home, David was so keen and eager to show her his handy work, it was said she walked down the garden with a lovely smile, and looking from the outside she was very impressed and full of joy , on opening the door, his mother fell about laughing infact she literally stumbled, with tears of laughter on the ground, David was a mis of what she was laughing at, and said it took her what seemed like forever to tell him ,
"The perches are at the wrong height" to his reply how high should they be ?.
The tale is often come across by his mother, and David just ignores it and changes the subject,

It don't help the OP in this tread, but perches might keep the out of the way of foxes