Chickens killed during daytime

[OrpingtonFairy]

I've had 10 chickens during the passed 2 years and now I' own 4. Many predetors I have identified until this one. I've always had my chickens free range and never had a problem until it got dark and the coop wasn't closed yet but this time, I have a daytime predator and I don't know what it is. Both killings had carcasses left with barely and meat taken off. They were in two different areas of my yard. One at the woodsy brook and another near the fencing of the front yard. My other chickens seem petrified. Hiding under anything possible. I'm keeping them inside the coop for now on but I need to know whose killing my girls!

 

[centrarchid]

Based on limited information you post thing hawk. Can you post pictures of a kill sight?


Pen birds up for a few days to start. If to be free-ranged after that then start looking into ways of making chickens harder to catch. Typical raptor repelling systems with exception of good dogs not likely to be effective.