Suggestions to keep predators away?

[Amykins]

I just googled the world weight record for a wild raccoon and got 62 pounds. I am terrified right now. I really can't understate how much I hate those horrible vicious creatures! No wonder it took so much ammo to take him down!

 

[claudiag]

Help please!
We live caught caught 2 raccoons in our duck yard. And that area was electric fencing. One duck went missing just before. Are the two connected?
This am hubby put the ducks on the pond finally. They have been having a blast. This evening something n the pond grabbed the leg and ate about half of the duck, leg included.
So the rest aren't so keen to go near the pond. But nor are they keen to go into their night box, which they have been in since today.
So what could it be? A snapping turtle? We do have a muskrat but I thought they were not a problem? something else?.
I think we will put them back in a fenced in area with a kiddy pool & pass on the pond if we loose another this gruesome way again tonight or tomorrow.
Any suggestions please
Claudia

 

[leahschicks]

I also just purchased a chain link dog run its 16ft long 5foot wide n 5foot tall I am going to get the hardware cloth to put around it n burry but should I also put it on top. Do raccoons climb the chain link I would imagine so I have seen raccoons n foxes out by my barn n that was when I didn't have ducks I still keep them n my house to stay safe until I can finish there pen.

 

[jtn42248]

It certainly would not hurt to put hardware cloth on the top of your new pen. Do you have any flying predators? Things like hawks. My philosophy with my flocks is always better over prepared than sorry after the fact. For example, my chicken coop has both a full sized door and the door the chicken go in and out. the two are securely locked but, since they are side by side, I also put a metal bar across the two to increase security. In the past I have seen evidence of something trying to pry open the doors so the bar gives me extra security. If you can manage it the hardware cloth on top of the pen will give that extra security that you may, in the future, wish you had gone ahead and done.

 

[jtn42248]

Help please!
We live caught caught 2 raccoons in our duck yard. And that area was electric fencing. One duck went missing just before. Are the two connected?
This am hubby put the ducks on the pond finally. They have been having a blast. This evening something n the pond grabbed the leg and ate about half of the duck, leg included.
So the rest aren't so keen to go near the pond. But nor are they keen to go into their night box, which they have been in since today.
So what could it be? A snapping turtle? We do have a muskrat but I thought they were not a problem? something else?.
I think we will put them back in a fenced in area with a kiddy pool & pass on the pond if we loose another this gruesome way again tonight or tomorrow.
Any suggestions please
Claudia

Have you ever seen a snapping turtle in or around your pond? What part of the country are you in? Could it be something else in the water that you need to get rid of? If something that is both land and water capable could you perhaps put out a trap for it? It would be awful for there to be a pond your ducks can enjoy and not be able to at risk of life and limb.

 

[Amiga]

It sounds like a snapping turtle. I would not let the ducks on the pond again.

 

[subhanalah]

Help please!
We live caught caught 2 raccoons in our duck yard. And that area was electric fencing. One duck went missing just before. Are the two connected?
This am hubby put the ducks on the pond finally. They have been having a blast. This evening something n the pond grabbed the leg and ate about half of the duck, leg included.
So the rest aren't so keen to go near the pond. But nor are they keen to go into their night box, which they have been in since today.
So what could it be? A snapping turtle? We do have a muskrat but I thought they were not a problem? something else?.
I think we will put them back in a fenced in area with a kiddy pool & pass on the pond if we loose another this gruesome way again tonight or tomorrow.
Any suggestions please
Claudia

definitely a snapper. Are you able to go in and retrieve them yourself? I'm sure there's someone local that could do it for you.
Could always email the turtle man. He'd do it for some ducklings or duck eggs!

 

[SilksterTN]

Turtle man? Wow do I have a job for him..........jurassic snapper lives in my pond. Seriously huge snapper. The wild Canadians that have nested on my pond have no doubt had their moments dealing with it. I need turtle man!

 

[subhanalah]

I recommend AGAINST those who use hooks or traps for snappers. It is dangerous and they normally drown.

 

[claudiag]

We live in Eastern Ontario, Canada. We actual saw a snapping turtle heading down our road near our pond last week sometime. They can apparently eat ducks too!
We know we have a muskrat in there and hubby tried to get rid of it (shoot it) way before the ducks were outside. But to no avail. Apparently they can eat ducks although they are mostly herbivores.
We have caught 3 raccoons, that latest last night (last night we picked each duck up & put them in their night box as I could not sleep knowing what could be lurking out there...)
All of the raccoons were in the duck yard sniffing around. Fortunately they have been put to bed in a locked night box so far.
Claudia