What killed this hen? Graphic pic attached.

[oceansunset73]

My mother in law is out of town so I’ve been checking in on her girls. Came over this morning to find one of her hens like this. Head is gone and chest has been opened up. There are feathers all over, next to her. Pic attached. What killed her? Hawk? Raccoon?

 

[oceansunset73]

Her neck was completely stripped as well.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm guessing coon, I'm sorry.

 

[Sally PB]

I don't know for sure, but the fact that she's right by the fence suggests raccoon. They reach through and snag whatever they can grab.

I'm sorry.

 

[oceansunset73]

Thank you. I was originally thinking it had happened during the day and it was a hawk because of the neck being stripped. But then the chest is opened and the head is gone, so I then wasn't sure if a hawk would have done all that. Last time I was there was Friday.

They have an automatic coup door opener on timer, so the coup is safe at night, the other 4 chickens are perfectly fine. The raccoon must have been out early, before yesterday evening or out late this morning, after sun up. Either that or Goldie just didn't go in to roost that night for whatever reason, I have no idea how this happened. I feel so bad.

 

[Silly Indie]

I guess a raccoon is the culprit based on how she was by the fence and the head is gone. So sorry

 

[oceansunset73]

Yea. That makes sense about being right next to the fence. Thank you...

 

[007Sean]

I'm guessing coon, I'm sorry.

Ditto!

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. I agree it was probably a coon and it will be back. Good luck...

 

[oceansunset73]

Thank you. Ugh.