What got my ducks?

[WmMcCar]

I’ve lost my 2 jumbo Pekin ducks just days apart. I found My first duck about 4 days ago and she was out of her pen when I found her, she was about 20 feet from it. She was missing her feather, skin and meat off her back. She was also missing tail and neck feathers. She had a big puncher wound on her head and smaller one on her neck. She was still alive when I found her but passed shortly after. We than put a covering over the top of the pen. Today I went out to find her mate dead in the pen. He looked like his neck was broken and was missing feathers and skin and only a little bit of meat off his breast. I really thought a bald eagle had gotten to the first one but now with the second one I’m completely stumped and confused on what could have done this. Also all of my chickens are fine, and that also confuses me as to why it went after the ducks and not the chickens. Any ideas?

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC! was there any evidence left behind such as tracks, hair or scat? It sounds like racoon but if your pens and runs are fortified correctly, it couldn't be a coon. pleased to meet you and thanks for joining us. Sorry for your loss.

 

[WmMcCar]

Hi, welcome to BYC! was there any evidence left behind such as tracks, hair or scat? It sounds like racoon but if your pens and runs are fortified correctly, it couldn't be a coon. pleased to meet you and thanks for joining us. Sorry for your loss.

I did not see any evidence left behind. The coop/run wasn’t covered for the first one but it was covered for the second one, there were a couple spot that we found around the run where something could have gotten in. And would a raccoon attack during day light?

 

[rjmyooper]

I did not see any evidence left behind. The coop/run wasn’t covered for the first one but it was covered for the second one, there were a couple spot that we found around the run where something could have gotten in. And would a raccoon attack during day light?

What area are you in?
What are the possible culprits? Raccoon, Fox, Coyote, Weasel (Ermine)?
What size fencing? 2" x 4"? 1/2" hardware cloth? Do you have electric fencing?

All of these are clues and factors into which predator you need to defend for.

 

[WmMcCar]

What area are you in?
What are the possible culprits? Raccoon, Fox, Coyote, Weasel (Ermine)?
What size fencing? 2" x 4"? 1/2" hardware cloth? Do you have electric fencing?

All of these are clues and factors into which predator you need to defend for.

I’m in Western Washington. So the possible culprits are Raccoons, Coyote, Red foxes, Minks, Weasels, opossums, Skunks, Eagles, Hawks, Owls, bobcats (only seen a couple times in my life), Cougars and we have a stray cat running around. Most of it was chicken wire because our local stores haven’t had any smaller sized hardware cloth for months. I completely spaced ordering it . The top wasn’t covered for the first duck but the second one was chicken wire. We have learned our lesson unfortunately.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! I'm so sorry about your ducks

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

And would a raccoon attack during day light?

Yes. As well a host of other predators.
I wouldn't worry too much about what killed then as about getting there enclosure predator proof.
You can order 1/2" hardware cloth online.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome. I'm very sorry for your losses. Whatever it is will be back. I hope you can protect your other birds.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. Sorry you lost your Duck's. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska.

 

[WmMcCar]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Yes. As well a host of other predators.
I wouldn't worry too much about what killed then as about getting there enclosure predator proof.
You can order 1/2" hardware cloth online.

Yes I have ordered some, and some cameras. We also are fixing our chicken coops and runs this weekend. We more wanted to have an idea of what it was so we could trap it.