What decapitates and eats only the guts?

[krebolo125]

Hello, I am new to owning chickens and ducks and I have or had 4 Cayuga ducks, one is a drake, and 7 Dominque hens. They are all about 8 months and we have been free ranging for about 6 months successfully. We have about two acres with a barn and attached coop and the land in surrounded by woods and houses. So last Sunday we got home late and we usually are home at dinner time. I went to the barn and did my head count and was short a duck . I found her in the middle of the yard decapitated withe her guts eaten out. What wouldn't the predator eat the whole duck, it seems like such a waste! My poor duck, she was so sweet but she was at the bottom of the pecking order. We live in SE New England and I know we have fox in the neighborhood but would a fox leave the body behind?

We have not let them free range since the incident, how long should we keep them locked up? I am thinking of only letting them out for a little while at night right before I lock them up.

Any suggestions on the predator or free ranging would be appreciated!!

Thank you!!

-Kerry

 

[crankster76]

sounds like a possum.

 

[BooneHillbilly]

I would say a coon... Im having basically the same problem right not with my chickens.

 

[redrooster78]

sounds like its died then maggots has eat its way in to it im so sorry to hear this.

 

[krebolo125]

Ok, so I agree and I think it was a coon as well. Everything I read says the same thing! Yikes I hope it was quick!!

 

[Alethea]

I'm sorry about your loss. Weasels will also decapitate, suck out what they want and leave the rest of the body.

 

[littleoak]

I think you will find it to be a possum. They're stupid and easy to catch. Possums always eat the insides.

 

[kgardiner]

I'd think it is a raccoon as well... I just had either a raccoon or a bobcat kill 4 hens at once. Today I built a trap for it - hoping my predator problem is on it's way to being solved! I'll find out in the morning!

 

[littlethorn]

Second the coon. It's the only predator I have ever seen do this when it attacked the animals around my pond (including a turtle). The good news is that it only came at night so once we knew it was around it was easy just to make sure no one was out after dark.

 

[mominoz]

Any of the above, but if it was daytime, most of those are night predators,(mostly), but whatever it was it will be back in a couple days for l more free lunch, so take precautions, Lock up or set trap. Both are good.