Lost my first duck to a predator

[ajohn151]

I built a coop this summer and lock my birds up every night. The coop is 100% secure. It has been called a "Duck Fortress" by one of the breeders I get ducklings from. Well about 10 days ago my Muscovy duck decided she no longer wanted to go in the coop at night. Instead she flys up to perch on the run above the coop. I have a friend who runs a duck rescue and she said that she should be fine since she is perching on top of the run and she flys very well. Well this morning my wife went out to do chores and open the coop and Ms. Sassy Feathers was dead on the ground in front of the feed bowl. She had a huge wound on her neck that essentially decapitated her. There was no other injury and it doesn't look like she was eaten at all. I went out last night around 10 to let the dogs out before bed and she was perched in her usual spot. I heard a barred owl but it was quite a way off in the distance. We do have a healthy population of those owls around here. I am guessing it was an owl? Does anyone have other ideas based on the injury? Since she was in front of the feed bowl I'm guessing she flew down to eat and got attacked from above/behind and didn't even see it coming. I am very sad and a bit concerned now since I don't know which predator it was. I just feel awful and kick myself for not trimming her feathers and forcing her to get in the coop at night. I wont make that mistake ever again.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I built a coop this summer and lock my birds up every night. The coop is 100% secure. It has been called a "Duck Fortress" by one of the breeders I get ducklings from. Well about 10 days ago my Muscovy duck decided she no longer wanted to go in the coop at night. Instead she flys up to perch on the run above the coop. I have a friend who runs a duck rescue and she said that she should be fine since she is perching on top of the run and she flys very well. Well this morning my wife went out to do chores and open the coop and Ms. Sassy Feathers was dead on the ground in front of the feed bowl. She had a huge wound on her neck that essentially decapitated her. There was no other injury and it doesn't look like she was eaten at all. I went out last night around 10 to let the dogs out before bed and she was perched in her usual spot. I heard a barred owl but it was quite a way off in the distance. We do have a healthy population of those owls around here. I am guessing it was an owl? Does anyone have other ideas based on the injury? Since she was in front of the feed bowl I'm guessing she flew down to eat and got attacked from above/behind and didn't even see it coming. I am very sad and a bit concerned now since I don't know which predator it was. I just feel awful and kick myself for not trimming her feathers and forcing her to get in the coop at night. I wont make that mistake ever again.

It very well could have been the owl. Owls are known for decapitating and often will only eat the head, neck or both. Owls will decapitate to lighten the load on heavy birds and if it got spooked mid kill it could have just taken off. Does it look like the neck was eaten at all? And are there any large puncture holes? If it was an owl there should be talon marks/puncures as they normally kill by puncturing the back of the head/neck with their talons. Other culprits could have been weasels or racoons. Do you have any trail cams you could put up to see what's lurking around at night?

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I wouldn't think owl, they would eat it. Killed but left makes me think weasel or raccoon but I'm not an expert.
Don't kick yourself too much. There have been many nights I have considered leaving mine outside because they can be so difficult to get in ( I had to light the coop entry and create a funnel to the entrance, much easier now).
I would love pictures of your duck fortress as we are working on building on soon.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I built a coop this summer and lock my birds up every night. The coop is 100% secure. It has been called a "Duck Fortress" by one of the breeders I get ducklings from. Well about 10 days ago my Muscovy duck decided she no longer wanted to go in the coop at night. Instead she flys up to perch on the run above the coop. I have a friend who runs a duck rescue and she said that she should be fine since she is perching on top of the run and she flys very well. Well this morning my wife went out to do chores and open the coop and Ms. Sassy Feathers was dead on the ground in front of the feed bowl. She had a huge wound on her neck that essentially decapitated her. There was no other injury and it doesn't look like she was eaten at all. I went out last night around 10 to let the dogs out before bed and she was perched in her usual spot. I heard a barred owl but it was quite a way off in the distance. We do have a healthy population of those owls around here. I am guessing it was an owl? Does anyone have other ideas based on the injury? Since she was in front of the feed bowl I'm guessing she flew down to eat and got attacked from above/behind and didn't even see it coming. I am very sad and a bit concerned now since I don't know which predator it was. I just feel awful and kick myself for not trimming her feathers and forcing her to get in the coop at night. I wont make that mistake ever again.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourself, there's no way to know this could have happened. Just know that she had an amazing life with you. I forgot to lock up my ducks one night, and one of mine was badly injured and ended up passing. I know its hard.

 

[ajohn151]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourself, there's no way to know this could have happened. Just know that she had an amazing life with you. I forgot to lock up my ducks one night, and one of mine was badly injured and ended up passing. I know its hard.

Thank you.

 

[ajohn151]

I wouldn't think owl, they would eat it. Killed but left makes me think weasel or raccoon but I'm not an expert.
Don't kick yourself too much. There have been many nights I have considered leaving mine outside because they can be so difficult to get in ( I had to light the coop entry and create a funnel to the entrance, much easier now).
I would love pictures of your duck fortress as we are working on building on soon.

Here is the coop after I completed building it:

I had to strap it to a skid steer to move it. Its a beast.

Here it is installed:

The dog run is 30 feet long 10 feet wide and 6 feet high. I then have Premier 1 electric net around that.

 

[ajohn151]

This was Covey, AKA Ms. Sassy Feathers:

 

[HollowOfWisps]

This was Covey, AKA Ms. Sassy Feathers:
View attachment 2366377

She was beautiful! Sorry for your loss

 

[ajohn151]

She was beautiful! Sorry for your loss

Thank you.

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm sorry I don't know much about predators.