Dead Hen.. What Caused The Death? (Unpleasant Image Warning)

[XLoveChickensX]

Hello, recently one of my younger hens got attacked- and killed by some animal that snuck into the coop overnight.

I'm not sure what animal did this, but it's not pretty. My young turkey got bit or something near a wing.(I don't have pictures, sadly.) He's okay. As for the hen, the whole neck bone is visible, and half the skull is too.

The neck bone was snapped partially as well.

The skin was like a coat. Just- off. Peeled.

Does anybody have an idea what animal did this? I've been thinking it was either a raccoon or opossum. I'm not sure? Help and thanks?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Raccoons will do that. They reach through and pull birds through fences or holes, and eat or chew on what they grab.

Mink and weasel too like the head and neck.

 

[XLoveChickensX]

Raccoons will do that. They reach through and pull birds through fences or holes, and eat or chew on what they grab.

Mink and weasel too like the head and neck.

Ah. I've also read opossums have that ability, or is that wrong?

 

[micstrachan]

My first thought was raccoon. A raccoon tore the face off my chinchilla when I was a child.so sorry for your loss.

 

[#1HenGranny]

Looks like a racoon did that. One got one of my silky hens recently.

 

[TK421]

Opossums could, but raccoon is far more likely. I’m not sure a weasel would go after a turkey so I’d go with coon.

 

[XLoveChickensX]

My first thought was raccoon. A raccoon tore the face off my chinchilla when I was a child.so sorry for your loss.

A chinchilla? That's really sad.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Everything with teeth gnaw, chew, grind, rip apart, and generally demolish the bone structure of their poultry victims. Raptors like hawks only strip away thin strips of flesh. I say that your villain is a hawk or other raptor.

 

[Doc7]

Everything with teeth gnaw, chew, grind, rip apart, and generally demolish the bone structure of their poultry victims. Raptors like hawks only strip away thin strips of flesh. I say that your villain is a hawk or other raptor.

Doubt a hawk went into his coop overnight...