Warning graphic w/pics What attacked (and killed) my duck?

[citymeetscountry]

Around 8pm Central time I mentioned to my husband that the animals all needed to be locked up but it wasn’t dark yet so they weren’t quite ready and could he take care of them in a little while.

Less than an hour later and it’s dark and they weren’t put up yet. So he’s rounding them up as I’m getting the chickens out into their coop and I go to help him. I see something moving around in the dark and freak out and run to get a flashlight and my husband says it’s a duck (they’re about 11 weeks old)

Of course it’s my favorite. I can see she’s bloodied and I go grab a towel. I get her wrapped up and in the house, she can’t quack and I already could tell she wouldn’t make it through the night but I try to get her cleaned up. She starts flailing and then peacefully closed her eyes.

It was hard to get her cleaned up and I think it was maybe 2-3 puncture marks?

I have a few theories of what it could have been but figured I’d reach out for more expert ideas. Their run is fenced with 6 ft welded wire inside of our garden area that’s also fenced with 6ft welded wire (I realize that doesn’t keep everything out). Our backyard also has chain link fencing around it.

We have seen opossum and raccoons in our yard and missippi kite flying overhead. A neighbor has spotted a coyote on his game cam recently. I saw a copperhead in our yard last fall. And a hawk a few streets over last month.

Thoughts?

 

[citymeetscountry]

Anyone?

 

[citymeetscountry]

I noticed this morning that one of our Pekins is injured as well (obviously less severe). It’s under its wing/closer to its leg. She seems to be acting “normal.” I cleaned it up with some saline solution and put antibiotic ointment on it.

Any idea what got both of them?

Do I need to house them separate? Just try to keep it clean and use ointment?

@Isaac 0 ?

 

[centrarchid]

Small mammal, weasel would be first to check.

 

[Chickengirl_abby]

Possibly mink. A mink attacked one of our hens last year. The bite marks are very similar.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. My suggestion would be to put up a game camera and see what is lurking. It will be back and once you know what you're dealing with you can form a plan. Good luck...

 

[citymeetscountry]

Thanks! We’ve been making extra sure they get put up before dark now (it was an oversight I had asked my husband to put the animals up while I did bedtime with the kids and it just didn’t happen in a timely fashion) Emerald (the white one) is almost fully healed now. I got some spray disinfectant stuff on it and put a spray bandage as well. The wound is almost all gone and feathers are growing back in.

 

[cmom]

I would still put a camera up. I have several and was surprised at the predators that roam here especially at night. I love my cameras. Did you ever find out what it was or catch the predator? Again, good luck...

 

[citymeetscountry]

I would still put a camera up. I have several and was surprised at the predators that roam here especially at night. I love my cameras. Did you ever find out what it was or catch the predator? Again, good luck...

We did not. I know we have at least one racoon and opossum that roam the yard and our neighbor has repeatedly seen a coyote. I am fairly convinced it was an arial attack. Our other neighbor suggested and owl.

I have definitely considered a camera and have to check with hubs if it’s in the budget

 

[Farmrasta]

Around 8pm Central time I mentioned to my husband that the animals all needed to be locked up but it wasn’t dark yet so they weren’t quite ready and could he take care of them in a little while.

Less than an hour later and it’s dark and they weren’t put up yet. So he’s rounding them up as I’m getting the chickens out into their coop and I go to help him. I see something moving around in the dark and freak out and run to get a flashlight and my husband says it’s a duck (they’re about 11 weeks old)

Of course it’s my favorite. I can see she’s bloodied and I go grab a towel. I get her wrapped up and in the house, she can’t quack and I already could tell she wouldn’t make it through the night but I try to get her cleaned up. She starts flailing and then peacefully closed her eyes.

It was hard to get her cleaned up and I think it was maybe 2-3 puncture marks?

I have a few theories of what it could have been but figured I’d reach out for more expert ideas. Their run is fenced with 6 ft welded wire inside of our garden area that’s also fenced with 6ft welded wire (I realize that doesn’t keep everything out). Our backyard also has chain link fencing around it.

We have seen opossum and raccoons in our yard and missippi kite flying overhead. A neighbor has spotted a coyote on his game cam recently. I saw a copperhead in our yard last fall. And a hawk a few streets over last month.

Thoughts?

Had it happen last night, heard coyote sound then my ducks, came to find them (3) dead one taken away, this is what was left, so not sure if you have coyotes or a fox but ours was coyote, but a fox could have also done yours. Sorry it happened to you guys.