Im so sad - pics are attached

[Garafraxaducks]

Hello.

Yesterday I had posted my ducks were missing and their coop door was open a bit. My husband came home and found them sleeping in our yard!

After the advice of others on here, we secured the coop doors so the predator could not open the locks again.

I came out this morning to find the predator had pulled the wire on the top and made a hole.
No ducks to be found - some feathers are around and a few drops of blood. I wasn't able to find the bodies but plan on going out after work on our ATV to check the field behind us.
Any ideas on what it may be? You can see hair on the photos too.
We have coyotes, raccoons, foxes around.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I would guess a raccoon based on the spot of entry and method.

 

[Garafraxaducks]

Do raccoon's typically take the bodies? I wasn't sure if they would be able to carry it out and up the cage. All 3 ducks are gone - so he would have had to come back for the other 2 too.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Sorry about the incident..
Chicken wire is only designed to keep chickens in. Perhaps cover the chicken wire with welded wire to prevent future mishaps.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Yes, a raccoon could take the body. There also could have been more than one. I would definitely think about reinforcing with hardware cloth if you plan to get more.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The hair color looks like fox to me. Mode of entry looks like coon.


Very sorry about the ducks.

I vote heavy wire too.

 

[Garafraxaducks]

Thanks! I uploaded a new pic showing a close up of the hair.
We will be installing new heavy duty hardware before we get more and also completing a concrete pad so nothing can dig underneath.
Any ideas on the hair?
Do you think these is a chance he will come back tonight?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Thanks! I uploaded a new pic showing a close up of the hair.
We will be installing new heavy duty hardware before we get more and also completing a concrete pad so nothing can dig underneath.
Any ideas on the hair?
Do you think these is a chance he will come back tonight?

I think once they get a taste, they will keep coming back for more.

 

[Garafraxaducks]

It ended up being a raccoon. My husband found him in the tree line beside the coop.

 

[llombardo]

The fur looks more reddish like a fox. Do foxes ever prey on raccoons? I would think a fox could tear the wire too.