OMG! My duck has been mutilated!

[lovelyducklings]

I know the feeing, I let my five ducks free roam. One was eaten by an alligator that snuck in my pond and two more disappeared during the night a few weeks later, never found their bodies :/. I still have my two Pekins (the first ducks I got). after that I made a small coop for night time, at first I had to put them in a dog cage but it was a hassle to clean. it's definitely worth it though. putting them in your screen porch is much better then letting them free roam so I would do it if I were you

 

[Orca5094]

Yes, the screen porch is good for now until you can get something more suitable. It's definitely better than nothing and will at least protect them from birds of prey. Foxes and raccoons could still get in of course, but it's better than just being outside completely unprotected.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I agree with the others that this was probably some type of raptor. An animal that is able to carry the duck away, e.g., a dog, will typically take it away. You also wouldn't normally see the type of thing you describe with a mammal, whereas raptors will be able to pick the bones completely clean because they have sharp beaks. If you have a pic or can get one, you can PM it to me.

May I ask how long it had been since you had seen the duck? Was it just the night before? It is possible to have multiple predator attacks that cloud the diagnosis. For instance, you could have an owl that killed the duck, but owls will typically take only the head. Once the animal is dead, raptors that feed on carrion, e.g., vultures, come and finish the job. They can pick a bird like a Rouen clean in a matter of minutes.

What I'm about to say isn't meant to be unkind. It's only to impress upon you how horrible this is. Please take a couple of minutes to imagine in your mind what the duck was subjected to when it was killed. Since you cared enough to post about this, I know you're not going to want any of your other ducks to be subject to such a horrible, agonizing death. If you want to keep them safe, you have to find some way to get them into some sort of shelter during nighttime hours. Even your screened porch is preferable to nothing while you're working on a long-term solution. Poop is an issue with any living thing, but poop can be cleaned up.

 

[coolguy221822]

It was weird, because there was no blood! All the flesh was stripped of its bones. I will take action with the ducks before night. I have noticed that the ducks have been spooked by a lot of things before. What so you think killed it. Sorry, I cant get a pic.

 

[Tinque]

I am very sorry you experienced this.
I will completely agree that it is rather easy to go to Craig's List and get whatever you need. Post a wanted post. People will quickly reply and your babies will be in a safe place. The predator will be back. It is the cycle of life..
Pallet's and Dog houses as mentioned will work great.
Post a sign at your local feed store for help. There are lots of people that will be there for you. I would in a second if I was a bit closer.. Good Luck

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I am very sorry you experienced this.
I will completely agree that it is rather easy to go to Craig's List and get whatever you need. Post a wanted post. People will quickly reply and your babies will be in a safe place. The predator will be back. It is the cycle of life..
Pallet's and Dog houses as mentioned will work great.
Post a sign at your local feed store for help. There are lots of people that will be there for you. I would in a second if I was a bit closer.. Good Luck

That is a great suggestion, Tinque! I would never have even thought of posting something at local farm or pet stores! That is great!

 

[Duckchick2011]

It was weird, because there was no blood! All the flesh was stripped of its bones. I will take action with the ducks before night. I have noticed that the ducks have been spooked by a lot of things before. What so you think killed it. Sorry, I cant get a pic.

A vulture will eat coagulated blood...I'm pretty sure a raccoon would lick up blood...you might be dealing with a predator attack and then scavengers too. Big animal would have carried it somewhere private. Birds of prey normally feed right where they are and are very capable of stripping away flesh...

Do you know at what time the attack occurred? Night, morning, twilight, middle of the day??? When did you last see your duck alive?

You could always have a stake out..or if you have a game camera you could set that up. You should also research what sort of predators are in your area.

But at the end of the day, what is was, isn't so important as, how to protect your ducks.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

It was weird, because there was no blood! All the flesh was stripped of its bones. I will take action with the ducks before night. I have noticed that the ducks have been spooked by a lot of things before. What so you think killed it. Sorry, I cant get a pic.

It sounds like a raptor, which could mean many breeds of large predatory birds. I don't know what's in your region, but I don't think it was a mammal unless it was a multiple predator attack, which is always possible. How long had it been since you'd seen the drake?

@Tinque had a great suggestion that never would have crossed my mind. Maybe if you don't have the means or time to build a shelter, people at a local farm or feed store would be willing to donate materials.

 

[coolguy221822]

It sounds like a raptor, which could mean many breeds of large predatory birds. I don't know what's in your region, but I don't think it was a mammal unless it was a multiple predator attack, which is always possible. How long had it been since you'd seen the drake?

@Tinque had a great suggestion that never would have crossed my mind. Maybe if you don't have the means or time to build a shelter, people at a local farm or feed store would be willing to donate materials.

I Saw him last night. I'm gonna posta papper at my feed store.

 

[coolguy221822]

It sounds like a raptor, which could mean many breeds of large predatory birds. I don't know what's in your region, but I don't think it was a mammal unless it was a multiple predator attack, which is always possible. How long had it been since you'd seen the drake?

@Tinque had a great suggestion that never would have crossed my mind. Maybe if you don't have the means or time to build a shelter, people at a local farm or feed store would be willing to donate materials.

Update: the screen door has ben ripped. I just found it.