The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on April 27, 2020, 12:26:11 am

Title: predator chat - again
Post by: northfifeduckling on April 27, 2020, 12:26:11 am
So ... after the attempted break in into the egglu (still at a loss as to what managed to pull a wing through the door) we had a fox taking 3 ducks at dusk (just before their bedtime) and injuring a few others. I heard the bark nearby again a couple of nights later. Tonight on my last round I met a badger! My man thinks a badger killed our sitting duck last year, would they?
Title: Re: predator chat - again
Post by: macgro7 on April 27, 2020, 03:13:50 am
Badger could easily kill a broody duck, why not?


We are actually quite lucky in the UK as pretty much we only have foxes and badgers to worry about (maybe weasels and pole cats).

I was reading about wildlife in turkey and they have - foxes, badgers, golden jackals, bears, wolves, lynx, caracals, hyenas, and used to have Panthers, Caspian tigers and Asian lions!
Now try to best that list!

My chickens I'm afraid only go out of the run when I m at home and actually outside with them as foxes come at day time nowadays. Spoke to the neighbour who said many years ago there used to be a badger set around the corner. I'm so happy theres no badgers nearby, however pretty they are I wouldn't like them next to my chicken coop!
Title: Re: predator chat - again
Post by: twizzel on April 27, 2020, 08:04:58 am
Badgers are nasty so yes they would definitely kill a duck. My experience is they kill and leave the bodies whereas foxes have removed them and left only feathers  :rant:
Title: Re: predator chat - again
Post by: harmony on April 27, 2020, 08:57:57 am
Badgers will rip boards off huts to get in. They are very strong. They will also take bigger stuff like lambs. One once chased my son and his nephew down a footpath. That got them home on time.  :roflanim:
Title: Re: predator chat - again
Post by: Penninehillbilly on April 27, 2020, 10:56:04 am
I used to keep call ducks in weldmesh cages (overnight, sleeping hut at the back.. badger tore the mesh door open, her only ducking missing and she gone crazy.
Last year I heard a strange noise up the lane, as I walked up I realised it was next to me, badger in the ditch talking to itself, but it came out of the ditch and coming towards me, I kept backing away, it was between me and home,  it eventually waddled down the lane. Shook me up a bit!
I'm on some American FB groups, lucky we don't have the bears, wolves, coyote, snakes etc, most of them carry guns when out seeing to their animals, or have had to run home fast!