Duck killed (graphic photo)

[McChooky]

I thwarted a raccoon attack once and the raccoon was going after the chicken’s neck/head. I got the raccoon off the chicken and that is where her feathers were removed and slightly moistened. With my feral cat deaths (this was in the city) the chickens feathers were removed from below the breast. I never witnessed the cat doing this but she used to kill squirrels and leave their pelts lying around. I doubt a domestic cat did this (although I wouldn’t put it past them) but I was thinking more along the lines of a bobcat. I have read they will drag the remains off to bury though so if the cat could fit in I imagine the duck could fit out.

My brothers had a feral colony for 30 years but something has eaten almost all of them.Not a single corpse has been found. We've rescued a bunch of kittens with no parents

 

[Themellowyellows]

Following

 

[McChooky]

The only time I have had a predator go straight for the stomach it was a cat. Do you have pictures of your pen? Maybe we can spot something that would give us a clue. The cat attacks I have seen were launched from trees above runs and there was no trace of the cat (mountain lion) in the actual run except a flattened chicken it accidentally stepped on. I did find tracks outside the run. The other cat attacks were stray/feral cats and happened in broad daylight while the birds were free-ranging. Are there other birds besides ducks in that pen? Is it possible she died and was later eaten by something like a rat?

Dogs chew their backs up like this.I'm thinking canine (Fox,coyote)Cats attack the neck

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Dogs chew their backs up like this

It looks like the stomach to me?

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I think if it was something big, you'd have more than one dead. Since you mentioned north Alabama area, it won't be a cougar or bear anyway. If the tear is the access point, it would have to be something that can climb that cloth. I'm would guess coon or weasel in your area but they tend to make a horrible mess if they get in and kill/maim almost more than they eat. Possibly a cat, but that would be one determined cat.

Is it possible the duck died and something fed on it post mortum? This is a puzzling mystery so please keep us posted if you discover the perpetrator. It may help someone else also.

 

[McChooky]

It looks like the stomach to me?

I should have looked closer you're right! Sorry!

 

[RJKnott]

Set the trap near where the entry point was and caught this lil critter this morning

Seems to be a female opossum.

Found some light colored fur at the fencing tear which matches hers so am thinking she is the culprit

 

[McChooky]

I takes something stronger than a baby possum to tear a hole in hw cloth

 

[RJKnott]

I takes something stronger than a baby possum to tear a hole in hw cloth

I relocated the possum and reset the trap. Getting a trail cam this week to set up as well.

 

[McChooky]

I relocated the possum and reset the trap. Getting a trail cam this week to set up as well.

Raccoons love marshmallows.I screwed strips of wood along the edges of the hw cloth to secure it better. Raccoons are strong. I also used heavy fence staples and screws and washers ( pennies make excellent washers)