Daytime Predator

[CampTopisaw]

A friend of mine lost a bird yesterday morning. He let the chickens out of their coop and about 10:00 a.m. found one headless carcass in the corner of his chicken yard. He's seen both skunks and racoons about, but I think it is really odd for them to attack during the day. Today, he lost a bird during the day. Only found feathers this time, and the bird is gone. Does anyone have an idea what could be the culprit? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Schultz]

Any Hawks in the area? We also have stray cats that like to take a peek now and again, they don't get a chance because everyone makes a ruccus and I come running but you never know...

 

[lizardz]

Could be any number of critters - hawks, dogs, coyotes, bobcats. I thought bobcats were nocturnal hunters until my husband and son saw one run off with one of our hens in the middle of the day! There are so many things that love chickens, it's hard to narrow it down unless you see the culprit. Good luck to him in finding it.
Liz

 

[rooster-red]

Sounds like the M.O. of a coon.

They will hunt at anytime day or night if they have young to feed.

 

[Pinky]

Out of the two predators you named,sounds like the racoon to me,or possibly a bird of prey.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Hawks typically only eat the head as well. I would say hawk....

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Coons are not necessarilly nocturnal. In the early mornings and early evenings they are coming out at this time of year. The beginning of the cold days tells them to hunt and store fat before the winter. They tend to extend their hours of operation. It sounds like a coom, but it may very well be possible that it is a bird of prey.

 

[TexasVet]

Sounds like a bird of prey or racoon to me. Here's a link to the patterns of predators that will help you figure out what it is: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0022.html

Also look for tracks early in the morning, before the birds have a chance to walk over everything. I had 20 chicks/hens and a duck go missing in two weeks. I suspected a cougar or bobcat, but I've trapped two racoons in the past two days. These were big animals... about 20 lbs each... so certainly big enough to kill and carry off a whole bird. Guess I won't know until for sure until I stop catching things in the trap.

Kathy in Texas

 

[Lobzi]

Thanks for sharing that link. Very interesting and educational.

 

[LynneP]

We had a raccoon near our wild bird feeders a few morning back. He was within 50' of my run and the girls were out...