The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: hexhammeasure on July 30, 2012, 01:36:53 pm

Title: Fox or mink?
Post by: hexhammeasure on July 30, 2012, 01:36:53 pm

something got into our lambing shed overnight where we house the ducks during the off season, and killed all 20 of our ducks. probably, (5 bodies unaccounted for) whatever it was squeezed under the main door which is 4 or 5 inch clearance at the most after having moved a fairly substantial bit of timber that was preventing the ducks from getting out. all had neck wounds and many were missing heads. i'm just checking to see if there is a possibility that mink have moved in before killing the vixen and her cubs

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: Bionic on July 30, 2012, 01:53:35 pm

Oh Ian, I am so sorry for you  :bouquet:
Sally

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: SallyintNorth on July 30, 2012, 02:25:29 pm

That's horrible, so sorry to hear that  :bouquet:

Sounds like foxy, but mink are very strong so could equally have done it.  Both predators remove heads, I think.  No tracks, I suppose?

There's quite a good chance that whoever it was will return for more meat tonight - whether you could mount a guard or run a webcam to find out who / what it is?

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: deepinthewoods on July 30, 2012, 06:37:17 pm

look around for spoor, foxes has a pointy end.

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: hexhammeasure on July 30, 2012, 07:20:58 pm

We are also including badgers into the equation now..I still think the hole that was used was too small for an adult fox

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: goosepimple on July 30, 2012, 07:29:43 pm

My sympathies, we are also duck breeders and it must be a painful experience.
 
We lost our runners and campbells a short while after moving here - local gamekeepers said it would have been otter which have seen off all the mink in our area - dog otters are big, but it may have been a fox, badgers are as bad, or even a large stoat or even ferret? 
 
We now only stock Muscovy ducks as they fly shortish distances and roost on shed roofs, fences and window boxes and now nothing gets taken.

Title: Re: Fox or mink?
Post by: Brucklay on July 30, 2012, 07:48:24 pm

Oh so sorry Hexhammeasure - just horrid - we lost 3 ducklings a week or so ago to what I discovered later to be a fox - who quite happily walked around the house the next day - we used to have shooting on the estate so had a game keeper but all shooting ceased this year, gamekeeper gone and now the foxes are out and about. As DITW says look for fox poo - good luck with your hunt