What predator was this? (GRAPHIC)

[Kaiori]

I woke up today to find one of my older ducklings had been killed. The body was dismembered and massacred with the gizzard ripped out, lying away from it. Only the one was touched, all the others (27 of them) are ok, besides one who got caught between the fence and the house and injured it's leg, trying to get away.

They were in an unsecured netted area. I had netting over the top but only clamped on with hair clips in order to give me access to to the pen to clean.

(Edited to add: This netted area is inside a 6 foot chain link 14x34 kennel which is inside an outer 5 ft chain link fence around the yard, so it's not just out in the open)

My main concern was owls and hawks. The net was only to deter them from swooping in. I know it was nothing near secure to keep a predator out. But I've yet to really have problems with predators after a year-and-a-half of having my ducks.

Obviously, I'll need to change that now. But I'm wondering if anyone knows what kind of predator caused this.

I was actually suspecting a rat in the last several days because a part of the net had been chewed out at the bottom and there were white feathers lying around (the momma is with the ducklings and she's white). Figured it was after the feed and maybe the momma tried to make it leave, I don't know. I've had a rat kill my budgie one time but, I guess I was just praying a rat wouldn't mess with ducklings that big.

But it wouldn't explain the netting being pulled up in the corner...

What do you guys think?

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Geography can play a roll. Are they exposed to open sky? What area do you live in? My flock lives in a wooded area so the hawks aren’t much of a menace. My biggest problem is raccoons. They’ll rip the heads off the Roos and eat the organs of the hens. I’ve also found pelts of ducklings that they’ve eaten. So if something was pulled out and left, I would say raccoon.

 

[Rex Montana]

X2 on the raccoon, they are very good climbers and problem solvers and can open gates if not locked. From the stories I've heard of them and what they will do to chickens, that's what my first guess would be.

 

[David61]

Cat

 

[Kaiori]

Yea, I thought of a raccoon too. We do have a couple around but I haven't actually seen them for months (obviously, I'm sure they're still around though).

I always figured that the high fences keep most predators at bay. I have dogs and I'm sure they smell the dogs' scent and would be wary to climb two separate fences because if the dog showed up, they might not make it out (happened with a stray cat once, it got super lucky it just barely made it over). But that's just my theory.

I would think that a larger predator would want to grab the prey and run since it's inside 2 chain link fences, which has the netted area inside. From a predator's pov, I would think they wouldn't want to stick around to eat the prey in that situation because they'd be practically trapped if they were caught... unless it was something small like a rat that could easily escape if needed. But again, all speculation.

We do have a few stray cats around but they're never seen. I only know of them from my neighbor who had some chickens supposedly eaten by cats. But his chickens weren't as secure as my fenced yard.

I live "down the bayou" in South Louisiana with a levee in my backyard with wooded area behind it. I have a few trees in my yard but there's some open space too. I've heard and seen owls. Hawks are everywhere all the time. Sometimes they circle and I see them eyeing my ducks midday. They've gotten quite close before.

Despite the area, I've been surprised to not have much issue with predators. But I always knew it wouldn't last.

Definitely gonna have to secure them better.

 

[Trisseh]

I would also suspect a coon. Cats like to eat parts and leave the rest, but don’t usually tear it apart first. My cat would catch (and pluck) grouse, and eat the “best” parts, starting with the breast and thoracic organs, and leave the rest. Never tore them limb from limb though.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Yea, I thought of a raccoon too. We do have a couple around but I haven't actually seen them for months (obviously, I'm sure they're still around though).

I always figured that the high fences keep most predators at bay. I have dogs and I'm sure they smell the dogs' scent and would be wary to climb two separate fences because if the dog showed up, they might not make it out (happened with a stray cat once, it got super lucky it just barely made it over). But that's just my theory.

I would think that a larger predator would want to grab the prey and run since it's inside 2 chain link fences, which has the netted area inside. From a predator's pov, I would think they wouldn't want to stick around to eat the prey in that situation because they'd be practically trapped if they were caught... unless it was something small like a rat that could easily escape if needed. But again, all speculation.

We do have a few stray cats around but they're never seen. I only know of them from my neighbor who had some chickens supposedly eaten by cats. But his chickens weren't as secure as my fenced yard.

I live "down the bayou" in South Louisiana with a levee in my backyard with wooded area behind it. I have a few trees in my yard but there's some open space too. I've heard and seen owls. Hawks are everywhere all the time. Sometimes they circle and I see them eyeing my ducks midday. They've gotten quite close before.

Despite the area, I've been surprised to not have much issue with predators. But I always knew it wouldn't last.

Definitely gonna have to secure them better.

If it were a hawk there wouldn’t be any evidence. Dogs help but the predators are sneaky sneaky. My horse and pigs help keep the coyotes away. It’s weird. I got to experience coyote chasing with Storm one time. Scary stuff man. That horse is so territorial. He’ll charge at the neighbors dog if she stays on the property too long. I say what you need is a hardcore guard horse lol. But seriously, maybe you should set some traps and see what you get.

 

[Kaiori]

Thank you guys!

Yea, I know it wasn't a hawk. They're just one of the predators down here if you've got birds and whatnot. Always lurking and hovering.

So narrowed down to a coon or possibly a rat (have read that they'll tear them up like that and the rats here can get HUGE)... Ugh. The rats have been out lately, as of the past few weeks. I checked the bait station weeks ago and there was still plenty (after sitting there for months). Checked it today and it was empty. Hopefully more bait will help.

I was going to set my live traps tonight but forgot and was also so busy, I didn't get a chance. Worked til dark and then it started raining. Been building a shelter for my oldest ducklings. Took me a few days. Just barely got it finished before the rain, but I still haven't been able to get the others secured yet. I'll try to get my trap set tonight anyway.

@OncomingStorm- I WISH I could have a horse. Lol That's cool that he's protective.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Hi from NOLA, so sorry for your loss. I have problems with possums. If they manage to get in, they begin by plucking the hen from the back end until they have a large area of exposed skin, then begin to eviscerate the hen and eat the insides while the hen is still alive. I have caught possums in the act and am usually able to save the hen, as she starts yelling as the possum starts plucking and I can hear it from my bedroom as I am in the city. I jump out of bed and take care of the possum. We often have a reprieve until other possums begin to move in and it starts over. I would recommend setting traps so you know what you are dealing with. I would also be prepared to run out the house to where your hens are at the first sign of racket in the hen house. Good luck, as what ever it is, it will come back now that it has had a chicken dinner.

 

[Kaiori]

Hi from NOLA, so sorry for your loss. I have problems with possums. If they manage to get in, they begin by plucking the hen from the back end until they have a large area of exposed skin, then begin to eviscerate the hen and eat the insides while the hen is still alive. I have caught possums in the act and am usually able to save the hen, as she starts yelling as the possum starts plucking and I can hear it from my bedroom as I am in the city. I jump out of bed and take care of the possum. We often have a reprieve until other possums begin to move in and it starts over. I would recommend setting traps so you know what you are dealing with. I would also be prepared to run out the house to where your hens are at the first sign of racket in the hen house. Good luck, as what ever it is, it will come back now that it has had a chicken dinner.

Heya! I'm in Houma.

The ducks are literally right outside my bedroom. Right across from my window, maybe 10 ft away. But the messed up thing is, if I'm sleeping, I probably still wouldn't hear if there was racket. Have the AC on and the fan too (this heat, man!) I'm often up half the night (nap and then back to bed around 4 or 5) but last night I was so exhausted, I slept entirely through 10-11 hours. Figures something would attack them the one night I'm out like a light.

I actually went out early one morning right at the break of dawn to find a possum smack dab at the bottom of the steps to the house, right outside the 6 ft chain link pen. It moved slowly. I had just put some ducklings outside that night and my first thought was "predator" and I killed it then and there.

... Then I noticed movement.. It had 7 older babies in it's pouch. Found a caretaker to bring them to. The possum was also suffocated with fleas. Ungodly amount of fleas. They were all over me just from moving the possum around. No doubt she was anemic/in bad shape. Felt bad about it.

That's messed up that you've had possums do that to your hens though. Rehabbers and whatnot say they don't kill adult poultry, they only steal eggs and maybe small chicks. And then I read things like your account and...yea, I'm not believing those who say they aren't much of a threat.

I set my trap anyway. Hope I catch something. I've been paranoid, constantly checking out my window (and going out with a light to check around.. I also leave the outside light on for them every night). But it's time to get some sleep so I just have to hope and pray tonight til I can get them secured tomorrow. I hate how quickly the day goes by when I'm working on things. Never enough time to get it all done.