Not all predators read the book and leave all the signs they are supposed to. Just because a fox, dog, or coyote normally leave signs doesn’t mean they always do. I lost 8 chickens in one dog attack (two large dogs). I did find one body and a couple of piles of feathers but 5 disappeared without a trace. I’d certainly talk to that neighbor and see what you can learn from them.
Practically any predator is a risk during the day as well as at night. Some are typically more active at night, to a large extent because of more human activity during the day. So I won’t rule out anything just because it was the middle of the day.
The most likely suspects for several chickens or ducks disappearing without a trace are snakes, canines, and humans. Birds of prey or some other things may take one but not a lot at one time. This certainly does not sound like a snake for different reasons. It’s possible it was a pack of coyotes or maybe a mother coyote or fox teaching her young to hunt. I don’t know how big those ducklings were but they could just be a quick snack. My most likely canine suspect is a dog though. You say you don’t have any free ranging dogs but I’d be amazed if you don’t have at least one neighbor that may not have their dog totally confined at all times. My problems out here is dogs abandoned by people. Don’t be that quick to rule out a dog.
A bobcat could take poultry without a trace, though they often leave feathers. They normally try to hide the body so they can come back later to eat it. I could see it taking the adult but it would be unlikely to also take all the ducklings. This is way down on my possible list.
You know your area and how vulnerable they are so I’ll let out think about a human. I don’t rule them out but I really think a dog should be highest on your list.
Good luck, with no traces especially it’s rough.
Practically any predator is a risk during the day as well as at night. Some are typically more active at night, to a large extent because of more human activity during the day. So I won’t rule out anything just because it was the middle of the day.
The most likely suspects for several chickens or ducks disappearing without a trace are snakes, canines, and humans. Birds of prey or some other things may take one but not a lot at one time. This certainly does not sound like a snake for different reasons. It’s possible it was a pack of coyotes or maybe a mother coyote or fox teaching her young to hunt. I don’t know how big those ducklings were but they could just be a quick snack. My most likely canine suspect is a dog though. You say you don’t have any free ranging dogs but I’d be amazed if you don’t have at least one neighbor that may not have their dog totally confined at all times. My problems out here is dogs abandoned by people. Don’t be that quick to rule out a dog.
A bobcat could take poultry without a trace, though they often leave feathers. They normally try to hide the body so they can come back later to eat it. I could see it taking the adult but it would be unlikely to also take all the ducklings. This is way down on my possible list.
You know your area and how vulnerable they are so I’ll let out think about a human. I don’t rule them out but I really think a dog should be highest on your list.
Good luck, with no traces especially it’s rough.
