predator or two mad ducks?

17 years ago

Last evening I went to check on my 2 muscovy hens that are sitting on eggs. I spotted a egg out of the nest so I went and picked it up, to find a hole in it and most of the contents gone from the egg. At first I thought it was a bad egg, but I really starting to check thinks out. I have a gate between the hens and it was loose and then noticed the one hen was bleeding from the top and sides of her beak, not a lot just kinda bruised a bit and one tiny puncture wound.

I looked around the coop and didn't find any critter, and it looked as if they rebuilt their nests. I did however notice a lot of extra poop around and some was in the one hens nest. This is the second egg I found the first one was in a water bucket broken the same way. I though that just maybe, the kids in the area, got in there and broke the egg, so they dumped it in there. Now I'm worried it is a rat or something. We thought the coop was pretty predator proof, and I am going to fix a board we have that is loose with fencing under it. We put the water bucket over that spot so it will drain. Maybe it got in that way.

Also my hens don't seem to be eating and drinking all that much. I haven't opened their coop door to let them out because I didn't know if I should and it is really been cold hear in OH. should I give them the opportunity to go out for a bit? When I feed them and open their nest doors they don't move! Sorry so long, this is our first hatch.

I didn't try to find out how many eggs are missing I didn't want to stress them out any more than they were.

The extra poo has me worried, it seems they do that when something upsets them! Thanks for any thoughts!

Brenda

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

patrick_nh
17 years ago
You're lucky, you're getting some warning signs. Sometimes that happens, especially with inexperienced predators, and one day they'll get their act together and you'll come out to a nightmare. It could be rats, or raccoons, or something else. I wouldn't put it past the kids either. Either way, if all of the above have access to your birds, then they'll be back. Secure them first, and you may not have to worry about what is causing the problem.

You also need to get a good general book on keeping ducks. Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks is about the best out there. It will answer most of your questions, as well as give you some good ideas on predator control.
ahbee01
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, we thought we had them safe. They coop is framed with 1"x 1" hardware cloth, and then the out side has fence stapled and buried around the coop and run. The only place I can think it is getting inn is thru a part of the bottom that is covered with bigger holed hardware cloth. That part is covered with a piece of plywood that is not screwed down, because we pull, that part up for cleaning and for their water to drain. All doors are locked up tight, 2 with key locks and 2 with medal rock climber hooks! That would be the gate to the pen, and the door inside the pen that leads to the coop. I key lock up the nest doors!
Could the 2 hens fighting cause this? Would a duck poke a whole in an egg? A rat couldn't get an egg out of the coop, it wouldn't fit thru the hardware cloth!
I'm off the recover the part with the loose board. Just when you think you fixed one problem, 10 more arise!
Brenda
Related Discussions
Chicken Predators - Indiana
Q
Comments (3)
Hi Irishdave, Sorry for your losses - yes it really, really sucks. I understand about wanting revenge!! I know exactly how you feel. We have all had this awful experience at one time or another. We have all learned from our mistakes and from others on this forum. It could have been anything. I had a far away neighbors dog come to my house one day and killed almost 20 young pullets - I was only gone about 30 minutes - some of the heads were missing and could not account for at least 4. Needless to say I found out who the dog belonged to and boy did they pay. I also had a problem with weasels they were dispatched too, the weasel got inside my coop through a 2-3"gap in the coop along the base of the wall where the floor meets the wall, In the middle of the night.(heads missing, some maimed, some just gone, some stuck in the whole where it got in. Has been repaired since. I have seen all kinds of preditors, could have been a possum,coon,fox coyote, do you keep your girls in a coop or do you let them stay out at night? I lock mine up at night and they do not get let out until it is full daylight. You could put out live traps and see what you get. I know you said they were all over the place - but were they in the coop or outside. Once you get chickens you will find out exactly who and what your preditors are. If you are letting them roost in trees at night my suggestion would be to lock them in the coop at night and make sure it is preditor proof. Leaving them out all night is just going to cause you heartache and money. I am soooo sorry for your loss. I have been there twice and I was sick at heart and mad as hell.
...See More
Predator Risks for Chickens During Daylight?
Q
Comments (25)
We've had a variety of predators in the past 4 yrs that we've kept chickens. I wouldn't count a hawk out for getting a full grown large breed chicken. I've seen it with my own eyes. They might not be able to take off with it but will eviscerate and eat what they want on the spot. We have coyotes, fox, bobcat and even one of our own dogs that like to help themselves if able. We've had oppossum in the nests, who like to have an egg dinner from time to time. We have a coop that is locked at night and a fenced in area we let them roam. The fence is not fully secure but is within another fenced area which at least gives them a fighting chance if say a stray or neighbor dog comes sniffing around. We really really enjoy our chickens but they are not pets. They come running when we walk out there but are not lap pets, although we do have our favorites. We have a lot of chickens and while I wouldn't want to lose one, it isn't as devastating as if we only had a handful. I prefer to run the risk and let them free range for a portion of the day, if we are here. They are great insect control and keep the grass/weeds at bay around fence lines and the barn. I think their eggs are much, much better with the most orange yolks when they free range, too. It is a matter of preference, I think. If I only had 5-10 chickens I might not take the chance. Lori
...See More
Koi Pod and Predators
Q
Comments (10)
When a heron showed up last fall I put the netting over the pond. I bought it to keep the leaves out and hadn't gotten it on yet. After 4 days the bird left - heading south to winter at someone else's pond - I took the netting back off. He never did get a chance to eat any fish. Maybe it was the net but I did build this pond with straight sides and no shelves. Even the first visit he never went in the water. The shallow end (about 2 ft deep) was full of waterlilies. How deep will a heron wade? But how do you deal with the net? If I put it all the way to the ground the frogs had problems with it. One afternoon I found one in the middle of the net, jumping, trying to get off. It looked like he was on a trampoline. He would jump and do a flip or go sideways. It was very funny but I'm sure he wasn't a happy frog. If I didn't put the net to the ground, the smaller birds went under it to get their baths and couldn't get out. One got stuck and I had to get him out. If the big bird comes back, I'm going to try fishing line. The dogs could walk under it (they're little dogs), and the frogs and little birds should be safe. sam
...See More
predators for Harlequins (murgantia histrionica)?
Q
Comments (3)
Brenda, thanks for the link. Now they are on my tomatoes too. Not the green variety, they are red and black mostly geometric designs. Beautiful designs actually, the bastards. I found out it is not necessary to squish them, I grab them with garden gloves and toss them in a pan with soapy water, they cannot get out and drown. Not pleasant but a little better. My partner is talking about taking a torch to the pile of dead brassicas, in order to destroy their breeding grounds. Sounds OK to me as long as we are careful.
...See More

predator or two mad ducks?

Comments (2)

patrick_nh

ahbee01
Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

predator or two mad ducks?

Comments (2)

patrick_nh

ahbee01Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ahbee01
Original Author