If you own ducks or any kind of poultry you need to know what threats predators pose to your flock.
There are many animals that will try to eat your ducks, and birds of prey as absolutely one the biggest threat.
Owls are some of the most feared predators of ducks and poultry. Many farmers who keep ducks and chickens go out of their way to protect their flocks from the claws of owls.
But don’t worry, there are ways to protect your flocks for owls and other birds, you’ll find that out in this article.
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Are Owls Dangerous To Ducks
Owls are extremely dangerous to ducks, they can eat a lot of ducks in a night sometimes. They hunt by sitting in the trees and swooping down on their prey. Just one of these predators can wipe out an entire flock of ducks and poultry if they are not protected.
These birds of prey are very aggressive, they hunt other birds and ducks in the wild. They have very high metabolisms and they need to eat a lot of food.
The way they attack their preys is by swooping down on them and grabbing them. They do have their claws and teeth to help catch their prey, usually, they will bite the duck’s head and rip it off.
If you notice owls around your yard you’ll want to take precautions right away to avoid losing your flock to these birds.
Do Owls Eat Duck Eggs?
Owls will eat ducks’ eggs if they have a chance, they are opportunistic birds and they will eat what they can get ahold of. If the eggs are out in open then the owls will swoop down on them and take them right away.
When ducks nest in high places like trees then owls will go after their eggs, the same thing goes for pheasants and other birds that are nesting in trees.
How To Keep Owls Away From Ducks
So, if you want to protect your ducks from these fierce predators, there are few ways, these are the most common:
Have a coop so they can be protected at night
A coop is the best place for ducks and chickens at night, there are many predators that can attack them and kill them during the night. A coop is like a jail for your birds at night, it will protect them from harm.
The best thing about having a coop is that you won’t have to buy expensive feeders to protect your flock from these birds in the wild.
Motion detector device
Motion detectors will make your duck flock stay safe and away from harm, they can detect anything that moves in your land and will warn you about it by making a sound or turning on a bright light.
This will scare off most animals that mean harm to your birds and will keep them safe.
What Other Predators Eat Ducks?
Well, there are a lot of predators that eat ducks, it is your duty to protect your ruffled fowls by taking the necessary precautions to keep them safe and secure. Some of these animals are:
Hawks and eagles
Unfortunately, owls are not the only predators that chomp ducklings, there are many other birds that love to feast on ducks. Hawks and eagles target them too in search of a nice meal.
Foxes are one of the most common predators that eat ducks, if you have a duck farm, you will find them sneaking in and feasting on habits.
Coyotes
These lovely doggies will not hesitate to feast on your ducklings if they get the chance. They are not picky when it comes to food, so don’t let them have a taste of your ruffled fowls.
These cute looking creatures also love to feast on ducklings and duck eggs, so be sure to check the area regularly to ensure that there is none of them lurking around.
Snakes
Rattlesnakes and copperheads are not the only snakes that love to eat ducks, there are several other non-venomous species that target them too, and they are not easy to spot.
Dogs
Yes, dogs, if not trained correctly will attack anything that moves, and you have to bear in mind that ducks are small and easy to catch. So be careful not only of yours but also your neighbors’ dogs.
In Summary
Owls do eat ducks, yes, and they are very aggressive. They will surely attack any duck they see and unfortunately, they will almost always succeed, so it’s up to the owner to take the necessary precaution to avoid and prevent this from happening.
