Trying to find out what attacked the duck.......Graphic pictures

[BabsS]

One of my ducks was injured yesterday. I found her in the upper part of the yard which is not an area they EVER go to. There is a 5X5 size area filled with feathers that looks like was the area of attack or the place of a fight. My duck had a severe neck injury. The neck was hurt so badly that you could see the nerves and muscles. She tried to get up and walk but the head was no longer supported and just hung to the side. I put her in a crate and cleaned her up as flies and ants were feeding on her wound. She passed away about 5 hours later.

I am trying to prevent this from happening to any of my other ducks and I am wondering if anyone has an idea what could have happened to her?

 

[BDutch]

How awful. Sorry for you’re loss.
I don’t know but from the injury of the neck and because it hasn’t been eaten I’m thinking it may have been a dog.

 

[kmpcfp]

Perhaps a hawk of some kind. Usually foxes will try to drag the body away and your fence looks pretty secure against a big dog.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm so sorry for your loss, maybe a hawk. When one got my rooster it was the neck similar to your duck.. Maybe if there isn't any place for them to hide when they see a hawk you could provide something they can get under.
@DuckyDonna has made lean to for her ducks to get under maybe she can post some pictures.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I’m sorry for your loss. I agree it could’ve been a hawk.

 

[DuckyDonna]

My run is 100% covered with welded wire fencing on the top and hardware cloth on all sides. I have just taken a little piece of plywood and stapled old shingles to it and leaned it against a pole. I don't know that would stop a hawk though. I have a couple of lean-to's in my run but if there is no cover from above I just don't know if it would stop them. Or you could make a "pallet shack" which is easy and free. Again, I don't know that the pallet shack will keep out predators either but it would be better than nothing.

Your fence would not keep out a raccoon so maybe that might be a possibility?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hide outs. When my rooster sees or hears a hawk he makes the warning and everyone runs for cover.

 

[BabsS]

How awful. Sorry for you’re loss.
I don’t know but from the injury of the neck and because it hasn’t been eaten I’m thinking it may have been a dog.

I called DNR and they thought it could have been a hawk or a coyote??

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would think if a coyote your duck would have been carried off.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Late to the party and I'm so sorry about your duck, but I would also guess a Hawk. While Coyotes do typically bite the neck they actually don't usually use the initial bite to kill, but rather to get a grasp on the animal so they shake it to collapse all internal organs. This allows them to quickly carry off their prey without the prey struggling. Most of the time if a coyote attacks there is only a little blood or feathers left if even any evidence.