Dead young pullet - Any suggestions on what killed her?

[SIMZ]

It was totally our fault - we forgot to shut one of the small coops that contained 5 young chickens - about 10 weeks old.

This morning one was missing and I found her dead about 15 feet away from the coop against the fence. There was lots of feathers in the coop, so whatever it was took her from there - but there wasn't any blood. This coop is about 6 inches off the ground with the door on one end. The chicks just sleep on the floor - no roosts.

I've read lots of articles about clues for predators, but this doesn't really fit anything but a possum - which we do have in our yard. Her head and neck looked fine but her abdominal cavity was eaten and her legs were just hanging by skin. (Sorry for the graphic description.) All of her intestines were gone.

Does this sound like a possum? It also left 4 other chicks untouched in that little coop. I was hoping we could live in peace with the big, fat guy but not if this is how it's going to go.

Thanks!

 

[Bantambird]

Sounds like you need to get rid of that possum.

 

[twilightgecko]

yes, it does sound like a possum to me.. and i'm sorry..

 

[SIMZ]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, he needs to go. I've been putting up with sharing my bird seed with him but I draw the line at sharing chickens.

I didn't think they were a threat to chickens. Now I know.