I came home today and saw path of feathers from the coop (inside the coop too) to under the stairs (like something kept dragging it along). The BR hen is dead and almost completely eaten (except few abdomen parts left). My BRs free range and I am guessing something got the BR while it was laying egg. Such a sad thing and it all happened in day light. What can it be ? Cat ? Racoon ? something else ?
Could be, but not as likely to be racoon during day. Cats seldom bother chickens, even feral... now, bobcats, etc are different story. But, again, this was during day... right? Most likely culprit? A "free-range" dog. Sorry for your loss.
bobcats and coyotes either one have no problem with daytime attacks---my friend actually watched a bobcat watch her chickens one afternoon. It must really be that time of year--predators everywhere--hope you figure it out-sorry for your loss
Bobcats and Coyotes normally carry their kills off to eat them in a safe location Even though it would be rare for a daytime attack; I have seen raccoons do it. They normally will eat the bird right where they kill it and in my experience if they have time they will eat just about the whole bird. I had one large coon eat an entire roo leaving only his shanks and feet! You had better get a live trap set asap cause it will be back!!! I would use what was left of the bird that it killed as bait. I have always had great success with that technique. Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestions and kind words. Thank you for the angel chicken picture. I have been reading. The wings and feathers are left but everything else is completely gone, to the bone. This must have happened between 8 AM to noon. I am suspecting a feral cat or fox. By tracks of the feathers, The BR was dragged from the laying box in the coop to about 30 feet and onto a stairs going down leading to under porch. Its almost like the predator felt comfortable in a den like environment.
