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Something got 2 of my ducks heads?

post #1 of 10
4/10/12 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 
I woke up Easter morning and my husband got me up and told me that 2 ducks were dead. I went dowm to the barn and my Blue drake with 4 hens were kept and seen the worst thing I could think of. My Blue headed drake was missing his head and one of his girls was too. I have search this site and can't find anything. Have any idea's?
My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
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My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
NPIP Certified #1108
I CAN ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE US
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post #2 of 10
4/10/12 at 10:15pm

Skunk. It is very common for a skunk to decapitate several fowl in one night. Get a trap!

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post #3 of 10
4/11/12 at 8:30pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, would a skunk climb a fence or crawl under the fence? We just found that our fence is lifted up in 2 spots.
My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
NPIP Certified #1108
I CAN ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE US
Reply
My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
NPIP Certified #1108
I CAN ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE US
Reply
post #4 of 10
4/12/12 at 3:53am

A predator is an annoying and worrying thing. A hungry one even more so. We have raccoons and skunks in this area that bother chickens. I'm leaning towards a skunk as well and if he is hungry enough he will find a way around a fence if there is one such as a light chicken wire. Racs are the ones who will climb over fences they are nimble things.

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post #5 of 10
4/12/12 at 4:12am

Even rats will do that.  Minks, weasels as well.  Most likely, if it's at night-skunk or coon.

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post #6 of 10
4/12/12 at 4:15am

Skunks will certainly climb fences, and go under fences.

Those paws of theirs are a lot like hands, and they are very smart critters.

They especially love ducks.  A skunk can smell a duck from 5 miles away, and will do quite a lot of damage very quickly.

 

I have 2 wonderful sons, 3 ducks (2 Anconas & 1 Buff), 4 laying hens, a Holland Lop bunny, and a big scaredy cat.  I am a Chef, Baker, Bluegrass "Musician" (I know, you can't do both) and artisan. 

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I have 2 wonderful sons, 3 ducks (2 Anconas & 1 Buff), 4 laying hens, a Holland Lop bunny, and a big scaredy cat.  I am a Chef, Baker, Bluegrass "Musician" (I know, you can't do both) and artisan. 

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post #7 of 10
4/12/12 at 11:44am

Electric fence. Wire 6-8" off the ground.

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

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OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

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post #8 of 10
4/13/12 at 4:05am

Too bad that didn't work for rats too!  I hate rats and it would be nice to 'fry' some of the little beggars.

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post #9 of 10
4/13/12 at 4:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mixitup View Post

Too bad that didn't work for rats too!  I hate rats and it would be nice to 'fry' some of the little beggars.

Don't know why it wouldn't. It would just require the wire being closer to the ground. Keeping the vegetation off the fence would be the real problem.

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

Reply

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

Reply
post #10 of 10
4/13/12 at 9:26am
Thread Starter 
We do have electric fencing to keep my small dog within the backyard. We have field fencing for the yard and it works great as long as some one don't turn the DA#M thing off!!! We could string it down to the barn. I also am using the field fencing for my chicken and duck yard but it has the small spaces at the bottom. Gonna change that as soon as we can, money is short right now.
My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
NPIP Certified #1108
I CAN ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE US
Reply
My flock is still growing !!! I have 11 Rouens, 4 Call ducks of different colors. 12 SQ BA's and 15 laying hens of different breeds. Coming in 2013--Cream Legbar Coming in 2014 -Runners
NPIP Certified #1108
I CAN ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE US
Reply
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Predators and Pests › Something got 2 of my ducks heads?