Something is killing my birds. I was gloating for a while because the dogs do such a great job of keeping any predators away, that there had been no losses at all, other than illness or accident. Then, without warning, something killed a Muscovy duck and ate her neck only. That predator did not come back the next day, or if it did, it took its prey away. The next day and every day thereafter, it has come back and killed and eaten the neck of mostly ducks, probably because they are on the ground and very easy to catch compared to chickens, but it also has gotten two chickens. I have set a trap and reset it too, but I do not actually know what I am trying to catch.
Predators that eat the neck only are Great Horned owls, mink and sometimes weasels, though they usually prefer to puncture the throat and suck the blood of not just one, but several animals at a time. Skunks and racoons also may be the culprits, but the larger the animals, the less likely it is that they would penetrate the defense the dogs offer. They are formidable when working in their pack.
I have a friend with a wildlife camera who offered to set it up for me, but he has not yet shown up. Another friend offered to set traps, other than my live trap that I have already set, and he also has not shown. Good intentions, but no follow through as of yet does not help me. In the meantime, a dozen birds hare gone, or rather the necks of the birds are gone and the rest is in tact, but of course dead, dead dead.
What to do? I will call my friend with the camera again and try to get that set up so I know at least what it is and what time to expect it. The camera has a clock that shows exactly what time the motion is detected and the filming starts. That tool would be excellent, but if he is too busy now to help, I will just go and buy one, as I am sure it would come in beneficial in the future too. My poor little birdies. I feel so sorry for them being terrorized and eaten, blood spilled and bodies munched right before their eyes. Tonight I locked them in the coops. That could be good or bad. If it is a weasel, they can fit through very tiny openings and since the birds have no escape being locked in, the weasel could kill many. If it is a larger predator, he will have to bust through wire to get in and that might cause commotion enough to bring the dogs, and I did leave the pen gate wide open so they can move easily without having to jump in. No fence can keep them out if they want to go in. They jump. Good dogs. Now, let's get that predator so we can relax again.
Predators that eat the neck only are Great Horned owls, mink and sometimes weasels, though they usually prefer to puncture the throat and suck the blood of not just one, but several animals at a time. Skunks and racoons also may be the culprits, but the larger the animals, the less likely it is that they would penetrate the defense the dogs offer. They are formidable when working in their pack.
I have a friend with a wildlife camera who offered to set it up for me, but he has not yet shown up. Another friend offered to set traps, other than my live trap that I have already set, and he also has not shown. Good intentions, but no follow through as of yet does not help me. In the meantime, a dozen birds hare gone, or rather the necks of the birds are gone and the rest is in tact, but of course dead, dead dead.
What to do? I will call my friend with the camera again and try to get that set up so I know at least what it is and what time to expect it. The camera has a clock that shows exactly what time the motion is detected and the filming starts. That tool would be excellent, but if he is too busy now to help, I will just go and buy one, as I am sure it would come in beneficial in the future too. My poor little birdies. I feel so sorry for them being terrorized and eaten, blood spilled and bodies munched right before their eyes. Tonight I locked them in the coops. That could be good or bad. If it is a weasel, they can fit through very tiny openings and since the birds have no escape being locked in, the weasel could kill many. If it is a larger predator, he will have to bust through wire to get in and that might cause commotion enough to bring the dogs, and I did leave the pen gate wide open so they can move easily without having to jump in. No fence can keep them out if they want to go in. They jump. Good dogs. Now, let's get that predator so we can relax again.
This was one of the hens who is no more. She was an Ameraucana/Partridge Chantecler cross and very pretty.
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