Falcon killed TWO! of my girls!!

[chicknmania]

Actually, weasels will gut the bird and leave the meat...looks like what you'd see in a grocery story meat case. Minks will do this, too. Both hunt during the day. Hawks will often tear off the head and eat that, though. Last year on Thanksgiving day we lost a hen to a falcon. It was the first and only time I ever saw a falcon up close. Despite the fact that we were sorry to lose our hen, it was still exciting to see the falcon, as I had never seen one except in pictures. And it must've really been hungry to take on a standard size hen. The red tails here don't seem to be very interested in our chickens for some reason...mostly Cooper's hawks and Sharp Shinned hawks.

 

[Pinky]

I'm sorry for your loss.Maybe you need a rooster to help you protect your flock if you don't have one.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

It sounds like a Possum or a Weasel. Racoons generally take the head off first and then eat the breast. A Possum or Weasel will start from the back and work thier way through the bird.

If a Possum can get its head through a hole, the rest will follow easily, Weasels are the same, yet even smaller. You should call the local forest rangers or whoever overlooks the animal and fire situations in your area. The police can guide you on who to call.

Ask them what the Possum and Weasel population is up to, they will actuall know these things, it is their business to know. DO NOT mention anything about a bird of prey they are there to protect this species and there are very strict laws concerning this.

You can set a trap with cat food for the first week and if you do not get anything then bait it for Weasels. Racoons LOVE cat food as do Possums. The chickens will not go into the trap. I have set a trap for our resident ground hog and it is big enough for a chicken, they did not touch it.

 

[rebbetzin]

Your remaining girls are quite lovely!! I thought of attempting to get that breed, I love the feathers they have!! I think I could use the feathers in craft projects.

 

[horsejody]

Pretty birds. Sorry for your loss. I too would suspect a 4 legged predator.

 

[deerman]

I just caught a mink, it was just taken the neck area. sound like you have a mink ,or weasel.

most bird of prey, just leave feathers.