Any guesses which predator? *update*

[AppleHen]

Something keeps killing my ducks...
1) they are in a 4'+ fenced in area w/ pond. so whatever it is, is either climbing or flying over

2) Both ducks were found headless. The rest of the body was hardly touched. The first one looked like something had tried to pull it through the fence. The second one wasn't near the fence. The head was completely gone, no bill left or anything...

3) the second one still had plenty of food in her crop. (it was torn open) How long does it take for food to digest?

Thanks for your help.

 

[E.G.Glayer]

I have chickens and had an issue with a weasle, it could get through the fencing but could not get the whole bird back out. It ate her head off but was unable to get the rest of her before I saw what had happened and got rid of that pesky varmit. If you are not able to catch them in the act and kill it you can try a live trap and you can also buy chicken heads as bait. The heads and livers are a favorite for these critters, As I found out through a little research they will often eat the heads and leave the rest of the bird. I have also been told that coons will also do this sort of thing. I have not suffered any more losses due to predators but i did trap the neighbors cat twice. Hope this helps.

 

[Shared Acres]

On top of the thread there is one on predators and according to that, no head is a raccoon.

 

[TexasVet]

You can find a link to a predator diagnosis sheet here: http://www.countrychickens.com/country_chickens_4_006.htm

But based on my experience, it's raccoons. You need to lock them up at night.

Kathy in Texas

 

[digginchicks]

Sounds like a coon to me

 

[backyardchickenfarmer]

coon

 

[AppleHen]

I have started locking them up at night now.... I think it's a coon too, however I was wondering if it could be an owl??

 

[LynneP]

Raccoons and weasels noted for beheading prey.
Since yours also puled one through a fence, I vote raccoon.

Gosh, it will be back as you know- what precautions have you taken?

 

[mandolinmama]

I caught a possum in my hen house with four dead girls. All he did was rip their heads off. Maybe they drink the blood?
Anyhow, he's dead and so is his brother and his brothers brother. You might want to get a live trap to set out at night near your pen. I've found that tuna fish really gets'em.

 

[sandypaws]

el chupacabra