Thanks ladies,
We started out with 20. Lost down to 17 before I ever let them out of the shed. Then a group of predators went through, got 7 of the babies, both buff orpington roosters, 2 barred rock hens, and 2 buff orpington hens all in a couple of hours. I checked on them about 5. They were all out chasing bugs in the yard. I talked on the phone to Hazel. Went back out about 7 to start rounding them up for the night and all of these were missing. Kevin found sever spots of feathers when he mowed. We figured either a family of foxes or a family of coyotes went through and had a feast.
I now have 10 half grown chickens and 4 barred rock hens. That is it. We also lost all 4 of the baby ducks, but have all 8 of the grown ducks. We live in a predator haven. We have raccoons, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls, all just waiting on the opportunity to grab a chicken meal.
I don't let them out now till about 4 or 5 p.m. That way they stay closer to their coop instead of wandering.
Blessings,
Winona