I need help identifying a predator that has devasted my flock.
My ducks are medium sized, too big for a raptor to carry off. The goose was quite large, and unlike the ducks (the ducks just vanished, no blood, no feathers) was pulled partially under a fence.
After losing some ducks, we think due to a gap under the fence, we moved them to a smaller pen with a higher fence and secure fence bottom.
We have heard coyotes in the distance.
We are located in a somewhat rural area, but 30 minutes to a large town, so not super rural.
The duck pen is maybe 100 yard from out back door.
We lost 3 ducks in one night. We don't have loose dogs in the area.
Below is our thought process on guessing the predator, but please feel free to ask more questions
Coyote- we don't think it could have squeezed under the fence, and especially don't know how it could have gotten into the smaller tighter pen
Hawk/owl- we don't think they could have carried off the birds, and definitely this predator doesn't make sense because the goose was drug partially under a fence
Mink/weasel- we aren't near water and no blood
Racoon- we don't think it could have carried off large birds.
Bobcat- we read they'd try to cover they prey if they left it, and the goose was clean. We haven't heard any calls.
Fox- we think this may be the culprit, since we lost 3 ducks in a night, we know they bury the excess. We know they can squeeze under and climb fences.
Human- if they were human why wouldn't they just use the gate?
What do you think? We'd love input,band suggestions to protect against whatever you think it is
My ducks are medium sized, too big for a raptor to carry off. The goose was quite large, and unlike the ducks (the ducks just vanished, no blood, no feathers) was pulled partially under a fence.
After losing some ducks, we think due to a gap under the fence, we moved them to a smaller pen with a higher fence and secure fence bottom.
We have heard coyotes in the distance.
We are located in a somewhat rural area, but 30 minutes to a large town, so not super rural.
The duck pen is maybe 100 yard from out back door.
We lost 3 ducks in one night. We don't have loose dogs in the area.
Below is our thought process on guessing the predator, but please feel free to ask more questions
Coyote- we don't think it could have squeezed under the fence, and especially don't know how it could have gotten into the smaller tighter pen
Hawk/owl- we don't think they could have carried off the birds, and definitely this predator doesn't make sense because the goose was drug partially under a fence
Mink/weasel- we aren't near water and no blood
Racoon- we don't think it could have carried off large birds.
Bobcat- we read they'd try to cover they prey if they left it, and the goose was clean. We haven't heard any calls.
Fox- we think this may be the culprit, since we lost 3 ducks in a night, we know they bury the excess. We know they can squeeze under and climb fences.
Human- if they were human why wouldn't they just use the gate?
What do you think? We'd love input,band suggestions to protect against whatever you think it is
