Chicken found dead this morning

[BiggBen]

So I went to clean out the coop this morning and found my Easter egger lying dead in the coop with its neck eaten out only on the front side. She was perfectly healthy yesterday, and I had even just collected her egg yesterday morning. My question is what could have killed her and only eaten the front of her neck? All other birds in my coop are fine and healthy.

 

[enola]

What ever it was will be back! Do you have a way to fasten the chickens up so the predator can't get back in?

 

[303hunter]

I had to put wire on the ground under my coupe to keep foxes and coyotes out. Working on a roof for my run too.

 

[BiggBen]

I have a latch on he door and a lock...but the top has a opening with 1 inch chicken wire covering it.

 

[BiggBen]

Well I live in city limits so coyotes and foxes are not a problem, and the coop and run are completely covered in chicken wire.

 

[BiggBen]

Is it possible that the other chickens killed it? She was low on the pecking order...

 

[JennIY23]

What about a rat? A rat could easily fit through 1" wire.

 

[Kikiriki]

So I went to clean out the coop this morning and found my Easter egger lying dead in the coop with its neck eaten out only on the front side. She was perfectly healthy yesterday, and I had even just collected her egg yesterday morning. My question is what could have killed her and only eaten the front of her neck? All other birds in my coop are fine and healthy.

It is difficult to discuss possible predators without knowing what region you are in. Weasel, rat, and mink could all fit through a small opening, but are not all present everywhere.

Hardware cloth with 1/2" opening should help. 1/4" will keep out more, but it is much weaker than 1/2" size.

 

[BiggBen]

I live in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically port Angeles Washington.

 

[Kikiriki]

And I am in the US cattie corner to you, in Florida...

Sorry, I can't help. No idea what you have up there.