Dead chicken! Predator problem!

[Silkie Amateur]

So I have had chickens for many years and have never had any problems with predators besides my dogs getting a couple. I know that the reason why I haven’t had predators is becuase the dog kennels is near the chicken coop and the dogs scare the predators. The chickens have a large coop and a big fence surrounding a bunch of muscadine vines. So today I went to the coop and did a head count and noticed that one of my Easter Eggers wasn’t there. I scanned the area and saw that the Easter Egger was dead under one of the muscadine vines and there was nothing left but feathers and bones and it’s legs. Then I looked a little further down the muscadine and there was a clump of feathers on the ground that belonged to my Brahma. The Brahma was fine and I did notice a spot where feathers were missing in the chicken so the predator attacked it but didn't kill it. The clump of feathers was in a spot under the muscadine where the chickens like to dust bathe so it seems like the predator attacked while they were dust bathing, missed a chicken and then chased the Easter Egger down a little bit and killed it and ate it. It had to be during the day because it wasn’t in the coop and it was where they were dust bathing. I really want to know what kind of animal did this. I have a suspicion of a hawk but there’s all the muscadine says cover. Please help because I don’t want to lose another chicken! Thanks!

 

[Perris]

where do you live? what range of predators live there? it will help to narrow down the possibilities if you can say a bit more about your locale and environment.

 

[Silkie Amateur]

where do you live? what range of predators live there? it will help to narrow down the possibilities if you can say a bit more about your locale and environment.

I live in South Carolina. The attack had to be during the day and we have dogs in kennels not far from the coop. The chickens fenced in enclosure has about 10 long muscadine vines to provide shade and protection and they have a large coop.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Set up a game camera.
Are you sure it wasn't one of your dogs again?

 

[Howard E]

If I understand your description of things, the birds have a coop, surrounded by a fenced in area, but are not actually locked up at night?

If that is the case, where you found the dead bird during the day doesn't mean much. Bird could have been killed in the coop at night, then moved outside. If so, possible list of whodunit is pretty long.