What decapitates 3-4 week old lambs?

[Buchan]

I'd be looking at a flock health probelm first causing dead lambs and then scavenging. if they are biggish lambs and he's not vaccianting for pulpy kidney, that's No 1. Add in nematodirus and a few other beasties. He'd need a fresh PM though

I'm pretty sure a lynx would remove the carcass to eat elsewheree

 

[royr]

Landkeeper writes:- A friend was losing big lambs a few years ago at night it turned out to be an old very large boar badger

Yes, have spotted a couple of these very large badgers, they are massive, as big as the mother ewes; I did not think they would be agile enough to catch 3-4 week old lambs. BUT if the lamb was asleep? Certainly the many badgers I see grubbing for earth worms amongst the sheep are tolerated by the ewes and not usually considered a threat, most ewes don't even get up from their laying down position to defend their lambs.
As for sheep disturbance alarm calls, sheep panicking and stampeding, have not observed any of this during my 42 hours attendance here. In the past I have experienced this scenario when two dogs have been chasing down the sheep; sheep definitely agitated and easily spooked for hours afterwards
Whatever animal is making these kills it appears to be done by stealth, not by a chase, and after the event the sheep appear quite calm.
So, could possibly be a massive broc that I've seen/spotted, is tolerated by ewes, but I dismissed as perpetrator; this would have the power to chomp straight through the neck and just take the head as the prize.

I'm still unsure what bit straight through the back and ribcage of the pictured lamb and made off with the rear half?
Perhaps the two incidents are not related and there are actually TWO perpetrators?

Regards
RoyR

 

[User00025]

Big cats are thin-skinned with very sensitive nervous systems. If correctly placed, a .223 will easily kill a lynx.

However, I'll eat my hat if you find one...

That's exactly what I said Carl, fortunately my neighbour was a kind bloke and didn't make me eat mine. He whacked the Lynx with a .22/250 that was back in 1993. Large lambs had been found part eaten for three weeks on neighbouring estates, we couldn't weigh up what it was, even though there were claw marks on the skin under the wool. What annoyed us all was the lack of information from the authorities at the time.

 

[Tulloch]

Morning Gents,
Anyone had this problem with 3 to 4 week old lambs, because I have not? These 3-4 week old lambs are the size of a springer spaniel and just as agile.
I've previously seen with the IR and latterly thermal spotters both foxes and badgers take the lambs as they are being born, they either run off with the whole lamb, or decapitate it and run off with the head; have not seen this before with 3-4 week lamb, backbone and ribs chomped? And I do not think it is big dog?
Additionally, 2 days ago a 4 week old lamb was chomped in half and the back end taken. have attached photo.
There are rumoured sightings of Large Cats in this area of Kent - may be a possibility?

Any info' appreciated.
Regards,
RoyR

View attachment 159355

That sir is the work of a badger ,

 

[James0586]

Had a neighbouring farms sheepdog doing a similar thing last year. The farmer called me to go and shoot the culprit thinking it to be a fox. It was actually the farm up the roads sheepdog!

 

[VSS]

Had a neighbouring farms sheepdog doing a similar thing last year. The farmer called me to go and shoot the culprit thinking it to be a fox. It was actually the farm up the roads sheepdog!

A not uncommon scenario, unfortunately.

 

[.270]

Morning Gents,
Anyone had this problem with 3 to 4 week old lambs, because I have not? These 3-4 week old lambs are the size of a springer spaniel and just as agile.
I've previously seen with the IR and latterly thermal spotters both foxes and badgers take the lambs as they are being born, they either run off with the whole lamb, or decapitate it and run off with the head; have not seen this before with 3-4 week lamb, backbone and ribs chomped? And I do not think it is big dog?
Additionally, 2 days ago a 4 week old lamb was chomped in half and the back end taken. have attached photo.
There are rumoured sightings of Large Cats in this area of Kent - may be a possibility?

Any info' appreciated.
Regards,
RoyR

View attachment 159355

Yes royr, we have had Big Fox and Brian Mays, taking Lambs, Chickens, and Ducks. Seen it on Cameras, sorted Mr Fox but you cant do anything with Mr B May.

 

[James0586]

A not uncommon scenario, unfortunately.

I had heard it happen but wasn’t to sure... however this little fecker new exactly what it was doing and did it well! I watched it that week working ewes and lambs with no intent to harm them but come the night it was absolutely intent on smashing everything in the field very sly dog!

 

[Klenchblaize]

I'm at a loss but apprently Nigel Farrage may have a view!

K

 

[CarlW]

Yes royr, we have had Big Fox and Brian Mays, taking Lambs, Chickens, and Ducks. Seen it on Cameras, sorted Mr Fox but you cant do anything with Mr B May.

Thought he had a sore bottom at the moment...?

 

[VSS]

Landkeeper writes:- A friend was losing big lambs a few years ago at night it turned out to be an old very large boar badger

Yes, have spotted a couple of these very large badgers, they are massive, as big as the mother ewes;
RoyR

A 60kg badger???? That really would be worth seeing!!!!

 

[David.evans]

Just to show that they do take the head
sorry admin if his is to much please remove
atb

 

[EMcC]

As long as it wasn't wolves as they are spreading all over the Baltic regions and causing havoc.

 

[John Gryphon]

Simple.

 

[ashray]

travellers using thermal and long dogs ,they see you long before you will see them! has the farmer had issues with the caravan types

 

[Smelly Yeti]

+ 1 for badger

 

[Basil H]

Not a suggested answer, but a question for the experts. When wild boar take lambs, do they just scoff the lot or is there a pattern ?

 

[EMcC]

As long as it wasn't wolves as they are spreading all over the Baltic regions and causing havoc.

 

[Tulloch]

Just to show that they do take the head
sorry admin if his is to much please remove
atb View attachment 159429

They will take the head but thats how they usually kill the lambs by crushing the head .

Badgers thoufh go for the stomach and rip using their from paws splitting the lamb in half. It is pretty crazy stuff to be honest , had to sit helpless a couple of times.

 

[Doggone]

I was told in a lecture that big cats often kill by leaping and punching through the rib cage with both front feet to stop the heart. So if it has broken ribs this may be a sign of a big cat kill.