My duck is missing without a trace in a storm

[SexyTurtle]

Enclosed backyard, 3 free range ducks, dawn to dusk. I didn't get home until 11:30pm today and hadn't been home since 2:30pm. The other 2 ducks were sleeping outside their enclosure (since I'd left them out all day), and the third one is simply gone. There is a terrible storm coming through right now so I can't hear much over the rain. No feathers, no injuries on the other two ducks.

I don't know what I'm looking for in sharing this. These are our first ducks and we haven't even had them 2 years. We've had them since they were a day old. I'm devastated. This was supposed to be a great, memorable weekend for me -- the event I'm running even has a duck logo in honor of my ducks. I don't know how I'm going to tell my husband.

I was supposed to go back to a party tonight that my husband is staying the night at, and now I'm alone in my house with my dogs and can't bear to tell him while he's having a good time so I won't see him until the morning. This is terrible!

 

[SexyTurtle]

I let my dog out this morning as the rain had stopped. He found a small clump of feathers almost immediately. I had him sniff her out.....he found, under some brush, a broken egg, another egg, and a mostly eaten duck. I'm heartbroken and I feel sick. I've never lost an animal like this.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

I'm so sorry! what a loss. There's every chance she was being a stubborn broody and sitting there while you were searching for her last night, there's no way you could have known. It's an awful feeling finding remains after a predator attack.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Especially coming at a time likd this, that was supposed to be a time of celebration. It's never easy. I'm sure your husband will feel just as bad as you do and hopefully you can comfort each other. Stay safe in the storm. Prayers for you!

 

[Callender Girl]

It is always devastating to lose a pet duck, especially when you have raised it from Day One. When all I found of my Hadley was a pile of feathers, I put those feathers in a jar and keep them on my dresser. It's a daily reminder of my sweet drake and to make sure that I do everything I can to protect the others from predators -- who will be working night and day against me.

Take care of and comfort in the two you have left. My heart goes out to you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So very sorry for your loss

 

[sourland]

Very sorry for your loss. Make sure that the remaining ducks are in a secure covered pen or coop as the predator will very likely return.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Free range might not be the best option. I'd consider a fence and netting over the top. Sorry for your loss, I know it's awful hard to deal with.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If I have to go somewhere and know I won't be back till after dark, I put mine up. It's too risky leaving them out after dark. It's an awful lesson to learn.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Very very sorry for your loss. I’ve lost quite a few birds and it never gets easier. I hope your able to feel better and I hope your other ducks are safe.