Predator attack last night, trying to figure out what did it.

[qubo]

I went out this morning to missing ducks. I found one muscovy hen partially eaten. The head and upper portion of the chest are missing. I did not see any wounds on the body. Another muscovy hen and my runner drake are gone. I didn't find any sign of their bodies. I have a runner hen still alive with a couple of wounds to the chest. I haven't caught her yet to get a decent look. This occurred in Northwest Missouri. I'd appreciate any ideas on what predator may have gotten them. The ducks live inside the fenced yard with my two dogs.

 

[M.sue]

Sounds like a pack of something.....maybe coyotes. Did you didn't hear any ruckus through the night? Funny your dogs didn't alert you.

 

[golden reeves]

I've had skunks do that before, kill the duck and eat the head one night then come back the next night and eat a little more and move the carcass. this would continue until the duck was gone then they would kill another one.

 

[qubo]

A storm came through last night, so it was really windy. It's hard to hear anything with the wind blowing. I suspect the dogs may have interrupted the attack, since one body remained.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

I think it sounds like a coon. I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. It's such a bummer.

Where are you in Mo? I'm in Kansas City.

 

[Lee Nelson]

I feel for you losing your precious ducks. For the past three months, I have incrimentally lost a chicken or two about every two weeks. I find them with just the head eaten. We live outside Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their area is fenced in, and we don't live near water or woods. We just have an open piece of land. There is a grassy area that sometimes becomes a boggy, wet area back aways on our property, which would sort of support the idea that maybe they are weasels or minks? Any idea as to what to do? I am sooooo sick of this happening. It just rankles me.

 

[City Farmer]

Quote:I feel for you losing your precious ducks. For the past three months, I have incrimentally lost a chicken or two about every two weeks. I find them with just the head eaten. We live outside Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their area is fenced in, and we don't live near water or woods. We just have an open piece of land. There is a grassy area that sometimes becomes a boggy, wet area back aways on our property, which would sort of support the idea that maybe they are weasels or minks? Any idea as to what to do? I am sooooo sick of this happening. It just rankles me.

 

[kittycooks]

I feel for you losing your precious ducks. For the past three months, I have incrimentally lost a chicken or two about every two weeks. I find them with just the head eaten. We live outside Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their area is fenced in, and we don't live near water or woods. We just have an open piece of land. There is a grassy area that sometimes becomes a boggy, wet area back aways on our property, which would sort of support the idea that maybe they are weasels or minks? Any idea as to what to do? I am sooooo sick of this happening. It just rankles me.

Hawks will eat the head and ignore the tail and feet. Brains are their favorite part. I've had trouble with weasels, but they tend to mass kill everything and leave the bodies strewn about. Qudo, I'm sorry about your ducks.