What predator could this be? Am I right?

[Skye'sDucks]

Still don't know what it is...I figured whatever it was got its fill and wouldn't be back today, or at least this morning.

We set up a live trap and I'll do so again tonight. Saw nothing this morning and I made sure to stay out there in the early morning to watch the flock. I've been checking in on them frequently throughout the day too.

I did see a nice sized possum wandering around, but otherwise it was quiet.

 

[micahdanielr]

Yes, same thing happened to me. Something stole one of my Muscovy females in the night, but there were no feathers around, so whatever got her was big enough to pick her up in his mouth and carry her into the woods. So my best guess would be a fox or coyote as stated previously!

 

[Skye'sDucks]

Yes, same thing happened to me. Something stole one of my Muscovy females in the night, but there were no feathers around, so whatever got her was big enough to pick her up in his mouth and carry her into the woods. So my best guess would be a fox or coyote as stated previously!

Thanks for the reply! That does seem suspicious, it makes me want to get a game camera as I wouldn't be able to catch a fox or coyote in the trap we currently have. My dad is actually on the neighborhood board meetings so it'd be interesting to hear if anyone else in the neighborhood has seen or had evidence of a coyote or fox...from my knowledge I don't think we've ever had one in our neighborhood but there are always firsts.

I'll have to make sure I keep myself safe, too. I was out there at 6:30 this morning and stayed out there until nearly 8 and then did regular checks on the ducks after that.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

There are Red tailed hawks as well. I am fairly sure it did the same type of damage to a Plymouth barred Rock hen of mine. Be aware it and all hawks are a protected species and illegal to kill them. If raptors are the culprit contact fish and wildlife department and they can help you with your issue.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

There are Red tailed hawks as well. I am fairly sure it did the same type of damage to a Plymouth barred Rock hen of mine. Be aware it and all hawks are a protected species and illegal to kill them. If raptors are the culprit contact fish and wildlife department and they can help you with your issue.

I know we have for certain red shouldered, but I know here in FL we also get red tails, so thank you for the reply. I am aware of that and I wouldn't want to kill or harm one anyways. I'm fascinated with raptors even if they can be my enemy.

The only thing that's a little puzzling is I've never had a hawk attack before on an adult bird. They will go for my ducklings, but I haven't once in almost 3 years seen an attack. Now I know it's very likely a hawk could have killed it, so I'm very open to this fact, I'm just wondering if it was something else.

 

[micahdanielr]

Thanks for the reply! That does seem suspicious, it makes me want to get a game camera as I wouldn't be able to catch a fox or coyote in the trap we currently have. My dad is actually on the neighborhood board meetings so it'd be interesting to hear if anyone else in the neighborhood has seen or had evidence of a coyote or fox...from my knowledge I don't think we've ever had one in our neighborhood but there are always firsts.

I'll have to make sure I keep myself safe, too. I was out there at 6:30 this morning and stayed out there until nearly 8 and then did regular checks on the ducks after that.

Yeah, I set a trap too but these foxes, I think, are to smart for that. I also set a camera outside that records when there is motion, but so far he hasn't come back yet. I'll let you know if anything new happens

 

[micahdanielr]

There are Red-tailed hawks as well. I am fairly sure it did the same type of damage to a Plymouth barred Rock hen of mine. Be aware it and all hawks are a protected species and illegal to kill them. If raptors are the culprit contact fish and wildlife department and they can help you with your issue.

Did you know that each state is actually breeding and releasing Red-Tailed hawks to keep the squirrel population down, and each hawk has a microchip tracking device on it

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I know we have for certain red shouldered, but I know here in FL we also get red tails, so thank you for the reply. I am aware of that and I wouldn't want to kill or harm one anyways. I'm fascinated with raptors even if they can be my enemy.

The only thing that's a little puzzling is I've never had a hawk attack before on an adult bird. They will go for my ducklings, but I haven't once in almost 3 years seen an attack. Now I know it's very likely a hawk could have killed it, so I'm very open to this fact, I'm just wondering if it was something else.

Its possible it could be almost any raptor or 4 legged critter, we have a Great Horned Owl within 300 yards of our coop and has yet to attack the girls but he makes me check every night that they are in and safe. To ease my mind we have a trail cam to keep our minds at rest when we are asleep or at work. So far no raptor's on the camera.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

Yeah, I set a trap too but these foxes, I think, are to smart for that. I also set a camera outside that records when there is motion, but so far he hasn't come back yet. I'll let you know if anything new happens

Alright, thank you! I also don't know if our trap is big enough for a fox, and I know for certain not a coyote. I believe it's been about 2 days since the attack, so if whatever killed my drake comes back, I'm expecting it tomorrow or in another day or two...

I think I might've heard about that before about the red tailed hawks, but I don't know.

Its possible it could be almost any raptor or 4 legged critter, we have a Great Horned Owl within 300 yards of our coop and has yet to attack the girls but he makes me check every night that they are in and safe. To ease my mind we have a trail cam to keep our minds at rest when we are asleep or at work. So far no raptor's on the camera.

Yeah, I'm still just guessing and I don't know for certain what had gotten him. The only thing I know was that the body was gone and it was fresh. Had to have happened early that morning. It makes me feel guilty I slept in, which I'm not doing anymore, lol. I'm being a little more watchful during the mornings instead of the evenings because of that, even though I know a predator can attack at either time.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

We lost a laying age and the largest hen in our flock. I'm not positive it was a red tail but the head was missing as well as the the breast section. We have a run for the chickens that is 100 ft long with a tree that I have seen the raptor in. Since the attack of something we hung 2 owl decoys and 6 CD'S(for flashing affect) and haven't had an attack since. It's possible that yours wasn't a hawk possibly a raccoon. A trail cam is a good investment. We discovered that we had an opossum prowling around at night but only for 2 days and haven't seen it for over 2 months.