Help me ID the killer

[mosseater]

I've lost a few ducks over the past few weeks. I'd love some help with the detective work.

Region: Western Washington State

Coop Security: 6' chain link fence, with 1/2" hardware cloth buried 8" deep and going 14" up from the ground. Powerful electric fence with a single band at 10" and another at 5'. Coop is covered by only a spiderweb of strings. Openings vary but some are up to 24".

The Incidents: One duck at a time disappears from the coop overnight with no trace, with 1-4 days between attacks. Last night two ducks were killed: one disappeared, one had NO VISIBLE INJURIES BUT A BROKEN NECK. These are Anconas, a large domestic duck breed.

 

[hayley3]

I've lost a few ducks over the past few weeks. I'd love some help with the detective work.

Region: Western Washington State

Coop Security: 6' chain link fence, with 1/2" hardware cloth buried 8" deep and going 14" up from the ground. Powerful electric fence with a single band at 10" and another at 5'. Coop is covered by only a spiderweb of strings. Openings vary but some are up to 24".

The Incidents: One duck at a time disappears from the coop overnight with no trace, with 1-4 days between attacks. Last night two ducks were killed: one disappeared, one had NO VISIBLE INJURIES BUT A BROKEN NECK. These are Anconas, a large domestic duck breed.

So you are saying your coop is open at the top? Or are you talking about the run? Can you post a picture , that would help.

After re-reading your description, I can only guess it was a fox or other canine that jumped past the top of the hotwire and then climbed over.
A limp duck will look like it has a broken neck. Anytime you have a missing duck, it's normally a fox or coyote but it depends on where you live.

 

[mosseater]

So you are saying your coop is open at the top? Or are you talking about the run? Can you post a picture , that would help.

they're ducks, so they don't like to go in to a coop at night. They have a protected run with a little shelter for crazy weather. It is a 12' diameter circle of chainlink with electric wires and strings to discourage aerial predators. I let them out into a paddock with a pond during the day, but all of my losses have been at night.

I've pretty much decided I need to call in sick today and build them a coop with 1/2" hardware cloth on all surfaces.

 

[mosseater]

It's a bummer because the old setup worked for 1.5 years with no losses at all, and it gave them lots of fresh air and a good sized water tub. Now I've got to shrink it down to protect them.

I'd just love to know who the culprit is, even if it was just to satisfy my own curiosity.

 

[hayley3]

It's a bummer because the old setup worked for 1.5 years with no losses at all, and it gave them lots of fresh air and a good sized water tub. Now I've got to shrink it down to protect them.

I'd just love to know who the culprit is, even if it was just to satisfy my own curiosity.

I edited my first post to say it's probably a fox or coyote, depending on where you live. I went 12 yrs without an incident but then 60% of my flock was massacred and once they find you, you need to protect the rest.
Their nighttime area should be like fort knox.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I've lost a few ducks over the past few weeks. I'd love some help with the detective work.

Region: Western Washington State

Coop Security: 6' chain link fence, with 1/2" hardware cloth buried 8" deep and going 14" up from the ground. Powerful electric fence with a single band at 10" and another at 5'. Coop is covered by only a spiderweb of strings. Openings vary but some are up to 24".

The Incidents: One duck at a time disappears from the coop overnight with no trace, with 1-4 days between attacks. Last night two ducks were killed: one disappeared, one had NO VISIBLE INJURIES BUT A BROKEN NECK. These are Anconas, a large domestic duck breed.

Sounds like a raccoon. They can be very tricky. Just from camping, I've known them to zip open tents and unlock locked Colman coolers.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. If you have a camera, put it up and you will no doubt find out what the predator is. It will be back lurking and probably looking for another opportunity. I love my cameras. I have several. Anything lurking around here gets it's picture taken. Predator proof the area. If you have a way so somewhat contain your birds you can put either electric wires or electric fencing around their area. That will deter anything except aerial predators. Last night I saw a coyote. I have electric wires around my coops and very large pens. Nothing so far has gotten past the hot wires. I have seen many different predators including coons. Hope you figure it out. Good luck...

Here is a chart I came across. It doesn't mention Owls. They mostly take the head. A coyote is pretty much the same as a Fox. A bobcat that killed several birds similar to that of a dog. Here one that killed 14 birds in one night. It shouldn't have came back.

 

[mosseater]

That's a good guide. From that list it looks like fox/coyote because one bird was gone and the other dead bird had a broken neck. Could it really be a coyote that was bounding over a six foot fence and never disturbing a spiderweb of nylon strings on multiple occasions and never leaving a feather of evidence? Another lead is the bobcat my wife just saw...

I kind of suspect an owl, but then I can't explain the dead bird with no wounds except for a broken neck. An air attack seems likely to me because the fence has two electrified wires. Would an owl carry away a duck?

 

[docteurshepherd]

That's a good guide. From that list it looks like fox/coyote because one bird was gone and the other dead bird had a broken neck. Could it really be a coyote that was bounding over a six foot fence and never disturbing a spiderweb of nylon strings on multiple occasions and never leaving a feather of evidence? Another lead is the bobcat my wife just saw...

I kind of suspect an owl, but then I can't explain the dead bird with no wounds except for a broken neck. An air attack seems likely to me because the fence has two electrified wires. Would an owl carry away a duck?

I'm gonna go ahead and vote the bobcat your wife saw

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I vote fox or bobcat too, but I'm not convinced the second duck had a broken neck. Please convince us. A dead bird will have a floppy neck regardless of cause of death. I also agree with @cmom, the only way to be certain is to install cameras. I'm sorry for your losses.