Backyard Duck Predators - How to protect my pets

[duckmom2]

We have been raising ducks for four years and sadly, lost our fourth one last night. In the beginning we lost a baby duck to what we assumed was a hawk or owl. He just disappeared and we never found any remains. Our second one lost to a predator we found with all the breast meat eaten. After this incident, we lock them into a house every evening. Our third tragedy brought down one of our ducks and left two puncture marks (fangs) in her neck. I got to her before she became a meal but never saw what killed her...this happened the one and only night we forgot to put them in their house. Last night, when we went to put them in their house, one was missing. I have never seen her fly higher than a few feet (she is a domestic non-flying duck). There is no sign of her anywhere. She was over a year old, so fully grown. Any ideas of what could have taken her?

We live in a suburban neighborhood in San Antonio, TX, not in the country. I do know I have a clever raccoon that tries to get to them at night ( I bought a hunting camera to spy on him at night)...any ideas on catching this beast? But I am fairly confident he had nothing to do with the latest disappearance.

We love our ducks, and want to keep them safe. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thomasboyle]

I raise ducks, and am constantly fending off racoons, foxes and coyotes. Racoons are the easiest of the 3 to catch. Around me, they love marshmallows. I take an empty tuna can and zip tie it to the bottom of a cage trap. Then I stuff it full of 6-7 large marshmallows and set the trap outside at sunset. Often I have a racoon before bedtime.

You may also want to consider electric net fencing. Put that around the coop, and you'll keep most everything except eagles and hawks out.

 

[Spice Glen Hens]

Raccoons are the worst!

We have lots of reinforfed chicken wire, and still they kill a chicken once in a while by reaching through the 1 inch holes.
I think the 1/2 inch hardware wire is a good idea.

Sorry about your loss..

Spicy

 

[nova022]

Raccoons will attack during the day, though they usually leave some sort of evidence that they are the culprit. I have had a pair come on my porch during the day to try to get my cockatoo. Unlike chickens she raised a fuss, but by the time I got out there they had already opened one lock on the bottom door and one on the top door. Fortunately both doors are double locked. Had they reached through the bars to grab her they would have likely lost a finger or two. I saw them two more times during the day attempting to get on the porch and then they strangely disappeared.

My run has the 1/2" hardware cloth because I was aware of the raccoons when we built it. It is also covered because we have a large owl and hawk population. I think I rear weasels and their relatives more than anything. They will wipe out a whole flock at once.