Predator vs Cayuga Drake mid day on pond

[TwoMileRanch]

Hi all,

I have a small pond that I let my cayugas swim on during the day. They ducks are 20 weeks and good size. This morning, in the sunlight, something attacked and the drake in the middle of the pond. It had extensive neck wounds and died a few minutes later.

The other three cayugas were un harmed and came off the pond. I am in southern Iowa, and have seen muskrat (I think) in the pond, but not for a few months.

Do you think this is a mink? Some other predator? My thought is to try and trap it (or them).

I am wondering if I should keep the ducks off the pond for a week so that the predator doesn't keep returning? or am I kidding myself? Up until today, the ducks have been on the pond almost every day. for most of the daylight hours. They had even learned to come off the pond in the evening.

 

[momof247371]

have a local hunter/trapper come over and set traps for the mink and muskrat. set some turtle lines also becuase they too will take a bird if they can... i would keep them off the pond until you get it under control..i hope this helps!

 

[CoopCrazy]

Sounds like a turtle to me .. they are vicious and take out a chunk with each bite

 

[onthespot]

sounds sorta like a labrador retreiever to me.

 

[Trenary Duck Farm]

Quote:
Muskrats don't eat ducks.

 

[alaskaduckgirl]

Well we have muskrats and beavers in a lake near us and I have seen the muskrat go after ducklings (successfully) AND full grown ducks!

 

[PeepsInc]

Were they puncture wounds. I watched a redtail hawk pick off a duck 1 day. It had a hard time flying away with it, so it fled. If you haven't seen muskrat in a few months, thats probably because theres a mink in the pond. Muskrats 1 of there favorite foods. Some times you can catch a mink by mounting a shiny fishing lure(remove the hooks) to the peddle of either a foot or body trap. Then set it about a foot deep just of the sure line. @ that depth you wont catch your birds.

 

[TwoMileRanch]

Thanks all for the tips so far (and the humor). This was a nearly full size Cayuga, and there was two - three inches of feathers and flesh missing from the side of the neck. There was some splashing and commotion in the water -- much like their normal playing, and then the drake didn't come back up, but was floating head down.

I think what got it, hit when the drake was head under looking for food. I know they are just ducks, but its tough to loose a pet.

 

[onthespot]

Oh! I didn't realize you saw it happen. I say snapper turtle then. Yikes!
(or aquatic chupalcabra)

 

[TwoMileRanch]

Don't read if you are concerned for my karma.

I placed three float lines (private pond) baited with steak as soon as you all suggested turtles.

it's a windy day, the floats were moving most of the day, but when I looked out now, one float was right where the duck was killed and was moving against the wind.

The snapper turtle, attached to the line, measured 26 inches from tail to nose, the shell was easily 14" long and maybe 10 - 12" wide.

There may be more or other predators, but its a start.