Devastating loss. Graphic pictures please help!

[HeatherTheMommy]

Going to make this as short and sweet as possible. I have 12 girls and let them free range during the day. This evening at 4 pm i went to lock them up and found my dominique had been killed. She was in the corner between the coop and shed. Whatever it was left her body and head intact. My other girls are fine. What did this in broad day light? Rip girl

 

[Robeenop]

Been there done that. Red tail hawk killed my main Dark Brahma rooster, cornered him between coops. Had ripped his throat and preceeded to pluck his breast to eat. Ran it off came back next morning, damaged another Bearded Buff Polish Roo, a Roeun duck, and a RedSex Link hen. Ran zig zag twine accross the runs with old cd's dangling in the sun. Very hard to navigate to fly in, and they do not like the flashes from the cd"s. Something else... I have been leavibg corn for the crows and ravens. They are hawk enemies. Will chase them away every time. I have noticed the crows nested in near by trees...a good thing!

 

[enola]

I have never had a rooster kill a hen that challenged him. If need be, he may knock the snot out of a hen that is that stupid to cause him to go that far. I have never seen that happen in 50+ years of keeping chickens.

 

[Ameraucanas]

I have no idea. So sorry. You did everything that you could.

 

[enola]

My guess is a hawk.

 

[shahtir101]

Something similar happened to me a couple years ago with my barred rock hen... i think it was a racoon

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

It was during the day tho so wasnt sure about a racoon? Im so sad she was cornered and trapped

 

[centrarchid]

Looks very much like a hawk. Even a Red-tailed Hawk will consume an adult Dominique hen on sight. Timing not consistent with owls, Raccoon and Opossum. Localized consumption about wound site and feathers being plucked consistent with a hawk

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Also I will add that I live in Delaware

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Also a few days ago one of my buff orpingtons came in with half of her comb ripped off and bloody from that. Same attacker? Shes doing well now btw.