River Otter

[ColtHandorf]

I was just scrolling through Facebook and someone in a chicken group posted a photo of an otter eating a chicken in one of her flower beds. She was asking what it was because it wasn't afraid of her or her dog. I snapped a screenshot so I'll share that in a moment.

Have any of you ever lost a bird to an otter? I mean obviously the adorable little monsters are fantastic hunters but I'm pretty sure I'd just stand there dumbstruck if I ever saw one in the wild, much less cruising through my yard looking for a feathery snack.

What is the oddest/coolest predator you've lost a bird too?

 

[ColtHandorf]

 

[Fuchsia]

That would be cool to have a river otter! (not killing my chickens)
He is cute!

 

[ColtHandorf]

I thought the same thing. I'm pretty sure my reply was "Sad for the chicken of course, but very cool to see an otter". Of course she hasn't replied since she posted. I hope her dogs didn't hurt it. And of course there are all the people telling her to eliminate it. *shakes head*

 

[svh]

In my experience, ( I live on a large lake) otters are relentless hunters, and will be back with their mates, and young'ins. There will be a slaughter unless dealt with quickly and harshly.

I saw this exact scenario the last month or two, with a neighbors flock of guineas. She started with 20, and as of last week, is down to 3 !!!

I had an otter family make a nest in a cavity in the bow of my boat, and they were very hard to remove alive, (they didn't all make it) and extremely persistent in trying to take back their perceived territory.

I had to eliminate a large male that was threatening a child, literally climbed into my boat with my neighbors daughter, causing her to "bail out" when it advanced upon her.

I've seen them completely clean small ponds out of every living thing, and leave piles of bones on the shore.

They are "cute", but definitely not cuddly, and for the protection of ones animals and property, IMO, should absolutely be eliminated !

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

In my experience, ( I live on a large lake) otters are relentless hunters, and will be back with their mates, and young'ins. There will be a slaughter unless dealt with quickly and harshly.

I saw this exact scenario the last month or two, with a neighbors flock of guineas. She started with 20, and as of last week, is down to 3 !!!

I had an otter family make a nest in a cavity in the bow of my boat, and they were very hard to remove alive, (they didn't all make it) and extremely persistent in trying to take back their perceived territory.

I had to eliminate a large male that was threatening a child, literally climbed into my boat with my neighbors daughter, causing her to "bail out" when it advanced upon her.

I've seen them completely clean small ponds out of every living thing, and leave piles of bones on the shore.

They are "cute", but definitely not cuddly, and for the protection of ones animals and property, IMO, should absolutely be eliminated !

Maybe you could trap them and remove them from your area.

 

[roosterhavoc]

In my experience, ( I live on a large lake) otters are relentless hunters, and will be back with their mates, and young'ins. There will be a slaughter unless dealt with quickly and harshly.

I saw this exact scenario the last month or two, with a neighbors flock of guineas. She started with 20, and as of last week, is down to 3 !!!

I had an otter family make a nest in a cavity in the bow of my boat, and they were very hard to remove alive, (they didn't all make it) and extremely persistent in trying to take back their perceived territory.

I had to eliminate a large male that was threatening a child, literally climbed into my boat with my neighbors daughter, causing her to "bail out" when it advanced upon her.

I've seen them completely clean small ponds out of every living thing, and leave piles of bones on the shore.

They are "cute", but definitely not cuddly, and for the protection of ones animals and property, IMO, should absolutely be eliminated !

I agree 100%
That otter might just kill every bird the person owns.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I agree too. Some people also think raccoons are cute, weasels are cute, etc etc. And maybe they are. But theres nothing cute about discovering massecred chickens.

 

[Molpet]

Otters are in the same family as mink and weasels, which are bad enough.... Just a giant weasel with the same appetites.
Nothing I would want around my creeks.