Snapping Turtles/Hawks.....how to protect my Ducks

[Jennifer Cattel]

Hi,

I am a new duck owner. I have 5 Indian runner ducks. When I originally got my ducks I was planning on letting them out everyday to spend time in our pond (Pond was built last summer and deep) and our garden to keep our bug infestation low (which is working excellent). Right now (they are 12wks) they go into our garden everyday with a kiddie pool and lots of room to run and then I put them away at night. Recently I lost one duck to a fox who got through our fence when I thought they would be ok at night in the garden which has a 4 ft fence. The fox was able to squeeze through the holes in the fence. Now they go in every night where they are safe. Since I lost one I have been a bit more protective of them. I wont let them down to the pond. I am afraid of snapping turtles and hawks....I feel so bad and know they would just love the pond. How can I tell if there are snapping turtles in the pond? The pond is new, it doesn't have fish that I can tell. Just frogs. Feel it is mean to keep them locked up because of my fears. The pond is open and hawks fly over it all the time....

They are great with going right to their house at night but it is from the garden to the house which is very close. The pond is down over our hill (we are on 85 acres of land).

Am I being a little over protective? Should I just bring them down to the pond I just know they will love it there.

Thanks,

Jenn

 

[Sara Ranch]

That's a tough one. My duckies free range all day, from about 6-ish am - 8-ish pm.

It was a gradual process. They were raised in the sunroom. I started taking them outside and letting them stay in an exercise kennel in the front yard. Then added the kiddie pool. Then left one end open so they had more room....fast forward - I built them a clubhouse (calf house for shelter, their 5' pool, and grass. Used sheets for overhead protection. The area was made from cattle panels and pieces of a 6' kennel. Yep, jerry rigged. They went to that every day. Then I slowly allowed them to have free range time under close supervision. I dismantled the clubhouse a few weeks ago cuz the guys were wanting to free range all day long. They grew up.

At first, I wouldn't leave the property unless they were brought back in the house and put in the sunroom.

Then I wouldn't leave the property unless they were in the clubhouse.

Now, I hesitantly leave the property with them free ranging. They aren't alone - I have chickens free ranging too.

Here's my advice, based on my experience - take baby steps. It's hard to let the babies we love grow up and be independent. But it's worth it for their happiness.

My duckies are loud when they are concerned. They have lots of hiding spaces. And I go out and socialize with all the animals through out the day. I check on everyone often, whether they are inside or outside the house.

Duckie steps. You can do it.

 

[Miller29]

Yes I agree with everything you said about baby steps. That is whats nice about ducks, they have a heard mentality, and do good with routine. But what about the Jennifers other question about "Snapping Turtles" ? Will Turtles just go after little ducklings? Will adult ducks be safe?

 

[Folly's place]

Turtles will go after anything they can catch; a big snapper will try for bigger ducks, for sure. We have a farm pond, about one acre, that has wild geese on it every year, and they do fine. Parent geese are aware, and careful.
Domestic ducks, without wily parents, will be at much greater risk, until any survivors wise up. Any free range time, land or water, is a risk, especially for the youngsters.
Mary