OMG...he's dead! HELP!

[nickie]

"death throes" would explain that. Having never processed a duck I don't have personal experience with them there, but I have done my fair share of chickens. Some birds will really flap and kick, some only a little. I have learned during my processing to always have a firm grip to hold them in their cone just in case... I had one bird (one of my first) flap and kick its way out and onto the ground... As cruel as it sounds (I'm sorry for this by the way, I don't want to rub salt in wounds) have you ever heard the saying "running around like a chicken with its head cut off"? Could explain the filthy state you found him in too.

 

[cafarmgirl]

What would explain the fact that I found him as far away from any openings (e.g. chicken wire) as you can get in the coop? The raccoon (or whatever) couldn't have reached him there...

But you have a 4 inch gap at the top right? (I posted on your other thread as well) A small predator can easily get in, kill the bird, and eat or leave with the head. Doesn't have to be near the wire if there's a gap for it to get in.

 

[mnferalkitty]

It is a predator. Racoon or weasel. I am betting on weasel and they can get in very very small spaces

 

[Amiga]

So, have you definitely blocked that entire four inch gap with something that leaves nothing wider than half an inch open? Have you looked around the base of walls as well, in corners where there may be rotted wood?

 

[RileyB]

The gap is closed now. I didn't realize something would climb that high to get in and out of something. We're going to take many more precautionary measures tomorrow, but for the night it's as secure as it can be.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Oh I am sorry for you loss. What a horrific sight that must have been! We just started keeping ducks and a couple Sundays ago, a dang hawk got one. My poor hubby had to clean up after...ick. I would think what might have gotten your baby was a weasel. Tiny, and can squeeze into spaces like that, then again those stinkin' coons can contort their way into areas. Good luck and I hope the closed gap does the job.

 

[RileyB]

Thanks everybody for the advice and information. I really thought where the coop is located and how it's constructed that it was predator proof. But...I guess I'm learning that weasels and raccoons will get into anything!

This morning all other 13 birds are alive and accounted for. I'm hoping they're still there when I get home from work!

 

[Amiga]

RileyB,

I realized when I was building the duck house a couple of years ago that I had no 100% guarantee that I had not missed something that would put the ducks at risk. We do the best we know, pay attention, and make improvements as we learn. Sometimes we lose ducks because we did not know something, or see something. That's the rough part, for me. But by and large, we get through the rough parts and have much to enjoy with our flocks!

 

[newbyduckmom]

RileyB:

As Amiga says, we do our best to protect our birds and learn as we go - sometimes the hard way. You can read, plan, learn, and prepare, but when it comes down to it, there is always something you didn't anticipate - and a predator that is craftier than you thought. I had an eagle take one of my drakes a few weeks ago. The run wasn't covered. I knew better, but we really didn't think they would come after the ducks where the run was. Near the house, lots of impediments to free flight, etc. We were wrong and learned the hard way. Feeling guilty still, but made changes to protect them better. They are now in a tractor during the day and only free range forage when I am very nearby (still risky but I think they need some free range time - they seem to enjoy it so). After 16 months of duck ownership, the main thing I have learned is there is always something I didn't know. You do your best, learn as you go, and move on to do it better - or you get rid of your ducks. A certain about of loss - due to predators, illness, or whatever seems to come with the territory. Unfortunately.

 

[RileyB]

Well now we're actively trying to figure out what it was and how to make sure it can't get in again. I'm just hoping I find them all alive and well when I get home today.

One piece of information I wasn't very clear on last night was the neck. The head was missing, but the neck was there...just without the feathers and skin. Would something be able to rip off just the feathers and skin and leave the long neck?