Something is killing my ducks.

[marxette]

My ducks are inside a chain link fence and inside what we thought was a secure duck barn. Yesterday morning we found a dead pekin inside when we went to let them out. Checked all over and couldn't find a way in for anything large enough to do that much damage. This morning we found one of our mallards had suffered the same fate. We plan to move them to another structure and set a trap inside that barn. I have a couple of questions. What do you use to bait the trap? How do I dispose of the predator, we don't own a gun.

Thank you in advance. This forum has always been my "go to" when I have a problem.

 

[Isaac 0]

The problem is, a raccoon can easily reach through a chain-link fence, and a mink could easily get through it. Chain link is not predator proof, you need to wrap hardware cloth around the whole coop, and do an apron on the bottom so they can't dig from underneath. Picture of your setup would be helpful.

 

[DucksOhio]

So sorry t hear about your ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

sorry for your loss. I agree with @Isaac 0 hardware cloth is your best security. Go to the predator pest forum they can tell you what to do with the predator once caught and best bait.

 

[TomCahalan]

The best bait would be the dead ducks.

 

[chickens really]

Describe what injuries the Ducks have. Easier to figure out what got them. Is the enclosure covered? Owls will kill Ducks.

 

[marxette]

Here's a pic of the duck barn. There's a sliding door on the end for cleaning. My husband built a hardware cloth frame that hooks from the inside for hot nights. There was a corner that the raccoon figured out to push in enough to get inside and pull to get back out. We moved the ducks to another structure last night and set up a trap in there. He's in there now awaiting his fate.

Thanks for all your help. I will visit the predator help forum.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are very cleaver. I am glad you figured it out and fix the problem. Nice barn too lots of good ventilation!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I can't believe a raccoon got in there! It looks so secure. We used a ton of washers and screws to put up our hwc. More than you could ever imagine, I'd say about 1000.

 

[Torino13]

My ducks are inside a chain link fence and inside what we thought was a secure duck barn. Yesterday morning we found a dead pekin inside when we went to let them out. Checked all over and couldn't find a way in for anything large enough to do that much damage. This morning we found one of our mallards had suffered the same fate. We plan to move them to another structure and set a trap inside that barn. I have a couple of questions. What do you use to bait the trap? How do I dispose of the predator, we don't own a gun.

Thank you in advance. This forum has always been my "go to" when I have a problem.

I’ve unfortunately had the same experience about a year ago which took 6 Peking’s 2 girls and a male. They were all bitten on the neck but no other wounds. Unfortunately I lost two more one day apart this week! They have been in that pen for 2 years and no issues! When I went out I opened the door to let them and and only Two came out , something pushed past a duck house then very tight small chicken wire and got in! This morning again I could figure out how anything got in since I had placed plywood at each wires area, and I Jan not one left. They got in 2 night but only killed one each day, then I noticed there were air vent right under the ceiling the Raccoon pushed on the wall the opening was only three inches wide, I started thinking it couldn’t be a raccoon how could it get into such a small place. Then I saw a you tube video where a large female raccoon got into a 3”by 2” area to enter its nest! There was also feces on the roof that looked like dog feces which is the size a raccoon would have. I gamhve one left I have reinforced everything today and place a hen pen in front of it! Here’s hoping this one will make it through the night!

here’s the link!