Duck disappeared

[Horsefly]

What kind of animal would take a duck in the middle of the day and not leave a single feather? My neighbor had one of hers turn up missing a couple days ago during the day and yesterday one of mine vanished

. The one taken from her was a black duck in with her pekins so I wouldn't think an airial predator because the white ducks would of been an easier target. I had 4 white pekins and on of them was taken. I'm not going to keep my ducks confined during the day so I really want to find it what preditor I am dealing with so I can keep the rest safe. Both me and my neighbor lock our ducks up at night and haven't lost any that way. Our yard is mostly fenced for goats but the ducks can swim through the pond and come out in my neighbors yard on one side but it's just a big field and they come back. I guess something could of gotten them while they were over there. The neighbor with the ducks lives across the street so our ducks don't mingle and she doesn't have any fences.
All I can think is a dog but it seems a dog would chase and leave feathers. Would a fox hunt during the day? Thanks

 

[Amiga]

Here in New England foxes have been known to take a duck in daylight. If I'm not with my ducks, they are in a 16' x 10' pen with fence across the top.

Sad to read of your loss.

 

[TLWR]

Have either of you checked around your properties? I have a runner hiding in the shrubs sitting on a nest today. Where she creates a nest seems to change when the mood strikes and this is the longest she's stayed with the eggs in sitting with them instead of just adding to the collection.

 

[Horsefly]

I have searched everywhere for a nest but haven't found anything. I don't think a pekin would be that dedicated anyway. Also she doesn't get out their night cage until after 8 so she would of already layed her eggs. My neighbors duck that went missing was a male so no nesting for him. I am 100% clueless as to where they could of gone and I am scared another one will vanish. I can't justify building them a pen and keeping them confined when they could have and acre pond and several more acres of land to play on. Same with my chickens I don't think they are as happy in small spaces. Not to say if that's all you can provide and they grow up in it it is probably fine I just think mine like their space and are happier.
I am starting to think of a big bird because there isn't a feather left what kind of bird would do it though? I have had hawks kill chickens but they aren't big enough to carry them away.

 

[Blooming chicks]

Was it truly the "middle of the day"? Or was it closer to dusk? Great horned owls hunt at both dusk and dawn and will take a full grown duck with out signs of attack. Furthermore, their flight is silent so the duck wont even hear them coming.

 

[THunter]

That would sound more like an owl or hawk, most likely the latter. I didn't think it'd be possible to do until I saw a hawk take down one of my roosters and disappear without a trace.

 

[Hattiegun]

I lost one of mine 1 week ago.. They free range in a chain link fenced area during the day and my husband checks them regularly.. he saw her at 4:15 and when I got there at 5:00 I couldnt find her... looked and looked... finally went out around the fence to a brushy area and found a racoon eating on her !!
Her head was gone. Our fence also has 3 rows of barb wire on the top... I could not fine ONE feather or tuft of fur or anything anywhere.... My other ducks must not have seen it happen either as they were not upset at all (til later when they realized she was gone ) I would have not believed a racoon had gotten her if I wouldnt have seen it. !!!!! The racoon is DEAD and I nearly had a nervous breakdown !!. My sweet little girl. We are now in the process of also preditor proofing a large free range area !!!!!!!! soo sorrry.

 

[Horsefly]

It really was the middle of the day, between noon and 4. My neighbors was taken between 4 and 5. We are starting to think it was a coyote. People have been reported seeing them around here and I have heard they will come out during the day and you will never see them. I am looking at getting a guard donkey or llama because we have baby goats back there and some are smaller than the ducks even. We have to keep them locked up now until we find out what is out there.

 

[sourland]

Coyote, fox, bobcat will strike at any time--grab and run with little evidence left behind.

 

[Rlacouette]

One of mine disappeard today! I am so devastated. Absolutely no trace. Happened from 8-10 am