What Could This Predator Be?

[Welshies]

Coyotes generally make a ruckus. I'm thinking fox. They are very stealthy and given enough time they can take every body.

 

[lazy gardener]

Coyote would not make a ruckus if he was hunting. Weasel would return if he knew there was more meat available, or even to continue to work on his previous kill. I've found it beneficial to leave the body as close to original kill site after a predator attack. The predator will return to continue his feed.

 

[Welshies]

Coyote would not make a ruckus if he was hunting. Weasel would return if he knew there was more meat available, or even to continue to work on his previous kill. I've found it beneficial to leave the body as close to original kill site after a predator attack. The predator will return to continue his feed.

Very true, but weasels don't carry off the bodies, and if I read what the OP said correctly, there were no bodies.
Coyote is a possibility but foxes are far more numerous and sneakier. Coyotes are very widespread, although still, many haven't yet moved into cities. Foxes are also like cats, being able to partially retract their claws, and they can slip through a chicken door.

 

[lazy gardener]

Did you see the video of a stoat pulling a rabbit through a chicken wire fence, then running off with it? I was not saying that the weasel would carry off the body, merely saying that leaving the body might be helpful in catching the predator. Also saying that the predator would be back. He got the ducks, he's very well aware that there were chickens in adjoining or near by coop.

 

[007Sean]

Very true, but weasels don't carry off the bodies, and if I read what the OP said correctly, there were no bodies.
Coyote is a possibility but foxes are far more numerous and sneakier. Coyotes are very widespread, although still, many haven't yet moved into cities. Foxes are also like cats, being able to partially retract their claws, and they can slip through a chicken door.

Coyote have moved into cities. I've seen many coyotes in downtown Dallas. That's one predator Texas has in abundance.

 

[Welshies]

Coyote have moved into cities. I've seen many coyotes in downtown Dallas. That's one predator Texas has in abundance.

They have. Foxes are slightly more widespread though, frequenting downtown with the coons, versus more the suburbs.

 

[007Sean]

They have. Foxes are slightly more widespread though, frequenting downtown with the coons, versus more the suburbs.

Here, foxes are not as in abundance as coyotes. In fact, there are so many that they are out hunting in the daytime, mid day, 2:00pm, especially in times of drought. Coyotes have learned to herd deer into the corners of high fenced ranches and kill'em. In towns, they scavenge for scraps in peeps trash or their pets.

 

[Welshies]

Here, foxes are not as in abundance as coyotes. In fact, there are so many that they are out hunting in the daytime, mid day, 2:00pm, especially in times of drought. Coyotes have learned to herd deer into the corners of high fenced ranches and kill'em. In towns, they scavenge for scraps in peeps trash or their pets.

Wow! Interesting. We have lots of both here, foxes are just harder to find, they hide much easier. Our coyotes are Western Coyotes, so they don't form packs. Thankfully!

 

[007Sean]

Wow! Interesting. We have lots of both here, foxes are just harder to find, they hide much easier. Our coyotes are Western Coyotes, so they don't form packs. Thankfully!

They travel in family packs here. I have a ranch in deep South Texas, while hunting, I have watch them herd a Jack rabbit, taking turns at following it, until one got close enough to catch it, finally wore it out. Here, coyotes are extremely resourceful, intelligent and resilient.

 

[Welshies]

They travel in family packs here. I have a ranch in deep South Texas, while hunting, I have watch them herd a Jack rabbit, taking turns at following it, until one got close enough to catch it, finally wore it out. Here, coyotes are extremely resourceful, intelligent and resilient.

All coyotes are super intelligent and resilient. It's amazing!
It sounds like you have Eastern Coyotes there, which is really neat!