Help!! My duck was attacked and I don't wanna put her down

[PolishPeepers]

I'm very sorry about your loss, it's so hard. One (the ONLY) medicine I keep on hand for every critter here, AND humans is Equine Elite Wound Lotion. You can buy it online from ValleyVet.com/Equine Elitewoundrelief
It is amazing, antibacterial, antifungal, we use it on horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, goats and ourselves. The wounds heal fast. It also takes the sting, itch and pain from wasp and bee stings. I got stung several times two days ago cleaning the pool, a wasp flew up under my sun dress, got my thigh good in several places. I went in and put the EE wound lotion on the stings and the pain stopped immediately. It's truly the best medicine for all living beings!!

 

[Malenaj]

Were the bodies outside of thee coop? Is your run fenced over? Perhaps a hawk could of done this...

Whatever it was killed them and ate some of them but left their bodies. I think i got scared off and panicked. All around the inside of the coop it was digging trying to get out. My chickens are in an old dog pen. But it's modified for them. It's dug 6 feet into the ground with cinder blocks and chicken wire.

 

[MillersFarm]

Ok but are predators from the sky like hawks able to swoop down into your run? If thats so it was most likely a hawk...

 

[Malenaj]

Ok but are predators from the sky like hawks able to swoop down into your run? If thats so it was most likely a hawk...

No it's covered on the top

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Malenaj I'm very sorry for your loss

Quite a few things can fit through a 4"hole. I'm not great at predator i.d. but it could have been weasel, skunk, large rat, possibly a raccoon, but I don't think they dig too much.

Setting a trap is a good idea, I hope you catch the critter. I would be interested to know what caused such devastation.

 

[Malenaj]

These are the only holes in the cage

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

These are the only holes in the cage

That pen is accessible to every ground predator.... through the gaps shown and the wire itself as chain link is not predator proof nor is the poultry net at the base

 

[Wyorp Rock]

These are the only holes in the cage

I was looking back over this thread. Were they attacked during the day or night?

If at night - do you have a secured coop that they sleep in?

I agree with @Ol Grey Mare about the fencing - the gaps are quite large and there are quite a few predators that can fit through chain link.

Now, let me say...full disclosure here- portions of my runs are chain link as well. I have the bottom section on my grow out pen blocked with chicken wire just to prevent small chicks from going through the chain links into the big girls pen. My coop is as secure as I can make it - all openings are securely covered with hardware cloth and the pop door is secured at night. I also have electric fencing around the perimeter of coop and runs for another layer of protection. I am home most of the time, but there are still predators like skunk, mink, weasel, etc. that can get through my defenses. Nighttime is when I am most concerned. We all do the best we can with the materials we have at hand.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

I've had both a fox and raccoon attack on my quail. I have to admit, the coop wasn't built to be the sturdiest, it was supposed to be temporary, but that was my big mistake. The fox ripped open the weak part of wire at the top and squeezed in, taking three and leaving the fourth, dead. It's strange that the predator left your duck, they usually kill them all, and might leave some behind. I think the best option is using 1 in. and to nail at least 2 inches of wire down to the ground around the coop. Predators won't be able to get in unless they tear through the wire or find a weak spot. I haven't lost a chicken so far. Hope this helps, sorry for your loss.

 

[Malenaj]

I've had that pen for over 17 years and never had a problem. It's just strange that they went for the hardest animal to get. My rabbits aren't nearly as protected as them.

@Wyorp Rock they do have a hen house which is tightly secured
@Ol Grey Mare I do agree it looks extremely open for ground predators but towards the ground it's doubled wired