I am agreeing with hawk or owl. I know an owl will drag its prey under something as I have had this happen. I have never seen a hawk do that but I don't rule it out. The only other slight possibility would be a weasel, but probably not. I have fruit tree netting (cheap) across the tops of my...
I am near Ashmore Illinois (a long way from you) but if it was possible I would give you 2 blue splash standard Cochin hens that are under 2 years old. My rooster died and now I don't need them. They are big gentle fatties. I hatched and sold several chicks from them.
The original question was what type of predator. I have only had this damage from possums. They seem to go for the internal organs and intestines. Usually it will be a young one doing this. the older ones won't take the effort of catching the chicken. A live trap will prove me right.
Have to agree with centrarchid about the predator. What you have described so far, could be any predator. Usually you will find feathers or body parts if a hawk was big enough to carry a half grown game rooster.
Your description sounds like a mink to me. I had one this summer, and everyone said they were only near water. I am in east central Illinois and my closest water is about ten miles. I was able to kill the mink after it had killed two chickens. They kill exactly like a weasel. nasty little animal.
I'm pretty sure it is a possom. Did you check the chicken house for an opening for the possom? The chickens far from the door make me think the predator came from in or near the chicken house.
Racoons, skunks, possums and many other predators will get after your chickens. Make sure your pen is predator proof first. Then set live traps. Dispose of predators caught. Others will come but the ones you had will not be added to that number. Predators multiply quickly.
I think your guess of coon is correct. Set a live trap and see what it catches. I am usually able to see the coon before it gets too far but I also use a live trap. They are extremely creative in entering secure pens. My mother had to use padlocks on her chicken house doors to keep them from...
Sounds to me that you have a young possum. They eat the insides from the rear. They take the easiest catch, probably why your rooster wasn't hurt. It will be back. Set a live trap with the remains of the chicken or some other meat. If it's half rotten, so much the better. I say young possum...
Around here we call them ground hornets. My grandson was mowing around them and ended up hospitalized for multiple stings. Don't mess with them. Wait until dark and pour gasoline and whatever bug killer you have on their nest. Do this several nights to make sure all are dearly departed.
Fishing line works but I have another sugestion. I use tree netting stretched across outdoor pens. It's cheap and lasts about three years. The tree netting lets snow fall through unless it's very wet snow. It will also stretch quite a bit. Any farm store should have it.
I think the possum is the least of your problems. The only thing I ever had do that type of damage was a fox. A possum is a lazy predator and will eat the insides of a chicken where ever he kills it. A weasel will sometime take the head but I don't think it is the problem. A coon is a posibility...
Grey Calls 3-4 weeks old. They look like miniature Mallards 10.00 each or offer. I do not ship so pickup only unless other arrangements are needed. I am near Ashmore Illinois 61912. email or phone 217-218-6971, I do not have texting.
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I have said this before but it warrants repeating. The weasel or mink is probably living under the chicken house or somewhere inside. They kill and then drink the blood and then go back to sleep. They sleep solidly when they are full and can be found sometimes still asleep in their hiding place.
The "voice of doom" is correct. The fox will be back. Trapping a fox is very hard and time consuming. They usually get a few more chickens before you trap them. I shoot them, but that's my choice for disposal. Others have different opinions.