Chicken predator...Looking for answers

[Junebug66]

A friend of mine has been finding her chickens dead and not sure what’s killing them. Something is killing the chickens, decapitating them and only eating the heart and lungs...very little to no blood is left on and around the chicken. What could this be?

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us The list is quite long. Where about are you? Are the birds being taken at night or during the day?

 

[Junebug66]

Arizona
They are being attacked at night
Not much blood around chickens just decapitated with a hole in the side with the heart and lungs gone

 

[rjohns39]

Could be an owl... Four legged critters will generally eat out the entire cavity and start on the meat.

 

[dmanhefner]

That's an owl for sure. Cover them up at night, it will come back every night and take one. It will eat on the dead one if it's left out.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Hello Junebug66,

Welcome!

I agree with dmanhefner, it's an Owl.

Here is a link to an excellent video of a Great Horned Owl preying on a chicken. Well documented, show your friend.

Gotta protect those hens...

God Bless!