Disturbing discovery

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Hi guys

Come home from work at 2 this afternoon and decided to go feed the fouls and ducks,I arrived at the gate to see the ducks missing and the birds huddled up,on further investigation behind the greenhouses I discovered this

Both mr and mrs were dead but if u look at the photo the black duck is no where near the fence and had no marks or blood,the feather loss is from the hens pecking it after death, the drake is pulled part way through the fencing minus it's head,

Where do u think the ducks were taken from inside or out? I'm sure the drake didn't go to say hi to the killer and stuck his head through to give it a kiss, no fouls have been touched,I've found a run along the fence which I've set two fox

snares,what do you lot think,is it worth sitting in one of the sheds with some 50g no4s , Basically is it likely to return tonight seeing as it only took the head?

I'm used to lamping fox but shooting is not an option for the 233 it's not a safe shot and the grass is too long,well mad hatched

them myself,kids will be upset,I'm used to dealing with farmers poultry raiders not my own this has become personal ha ha

Atb .223

[paulus 26]

it will be back for them

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Do u think hide in a shed just before dark,or lamp later dont usually ambush them mostly shoot from the truck

[savaloy 1]

Are you sure the culprit is a fox? fox would normally kill the lot?

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

I've maybe jumpin to conclusions but wat else could it be? Maybe a dog could have done it but I've never seen one knockin about,,I've shot fox in fields close by but this is the first time In fifteen years something has had a go at the birds.something doesn't add up,the black duck dead but no external damage.yet tried to pull the other through,cheers

[shotgunny 39]

mink possibly ??

[artic 595]

I've had stoats do this to me before. It's clear that it's a small creature that tried to take them away.

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Doubt it mate i don't know much about them but I've never seen or heard of a sighting of mink in my neck of the woods for twenty years,same as I've not once seen a badger,there is thirty odd hens in the pen, they must have been inside but the ducks sleep under a lean to I imagine it was a night time or early morning attack Because of no chicken casualties,o

 

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Never thought of stoats,would they remove a ducks head and strip it like that, it could explain no marks on the other one?

[nasher1 258]

I would go for stoat or escaped ferret, it was probably trying to pull the bird through the arris fencing, better get it sorted though as it will come back for the chickens

[worthy130 21]

It does look like either a mink, stoat or weasel! it has obviously tried to drag it off through the fence but the duck got stuck so it just chewed on the bit that was sticking out. seen it a million times (quite often with the culpret on the other side still)

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Cheers lads ,seeing as I first thought fox,I've got that covered with the wires and shooting/lamping etc well I hope so,what is the best action to deal with stoats or weasel,poss stray ferret? I have fenn traps snare making equipment etc if needed.I've never had to deal with them before,I'm a bit green on that matter so I must keep asking your help is appreciated

[sikastag_1 689]

I'm viewing this on a mobile mate so can't really see The pics, the drake looks a mess but you said the black one is hardly touched, pluck it and look for bite marks that will give an indication

[worthy130 21]

live catch traps would be the best way to deal with them just to make sure you know what your trapping. But if you are confident then make a tunnel and lay a mk4 in it.

[coldweld 65]

Both seam to be killed face down ! Bird of prey ?

 

The doves on my garden get taken by sparrow hawks alot. They nearly always are pinned face down and eaten through the shoulders and head.