We had 7 Muscovy ducks, and now we have only 6. Three of the youngest chose to sleep under the shed last night, and got under there before we could round everyone up and herd them into the fenced poultry yard for the night. Once they get under the shed you really can't get them out. Well, last night sometime around 3:30, *something* got under there and chased them out, and made off with one of them. All I found was a couple small piles of bloodied feathers. I found the other two this morning at our "pond" which is not really a pond, but a low area about 20-30 feet in diameter that collects several inches of water in the spring. One of those two has had all her tail feathers pulled out (I found them in a pile near the poultry yard).
The reason I know it was around 3:30 is because that's when I woke up when our English Shepherd started barking (he sleeps inside). I came downstairs, and opened the doors and listened, but there were absolutely no sounds at all outside, and I couldn't see anything either (no moon).
My husband said he was dreaming about coyotes, and so maybe they were around and yipping and that's why he dreamed about them. I figure it probably was some kind of smallish canine - either a coyote or a fox, as they could fit under the shed from the back side. Could have been a raccoon, but I think I would have found her body, and I haven't.
So today I have to get some more chicken wire and close off the base of the shed so they can't get under there anymore.
And now there are six
I'm so sorry that happened.. It is so sad, I know. :( At least you have the other six! (trying to be positive here)
I am very sorry for your loss. Those babies must have really had a scare. {{HUGS}}