First predator attack, it is a wee bit graphic

[kmitche3]

Here’s the story: I had my 12wk old chicks in a chain length dog kennel, around the outside of the pen I had my standard chicken wire fence, the top was completely covered except for a roughly 3inch space that was caused by the slope of the roof. That was the only point of entry available, no way anything was pulled under (I’m picky and run wire underground as well) and no way to pull anything though the fence (not enough space).

Well, I went out yesterday morning and one of my girls was gone. About a foot away from the pen I found her head, it seemed like it had been torn from her body. I couldn’t find her body yesterday so I went out on a larger patrol today and still no trace. There were a few feathers in the pen but no blood and gore.

It might also help to say I live in the middle of the woods. Do any of you know of any predators that can climb fence, remove prey, rip off head, and take body?

Thanks for any ideas

 

[bertman]

I'm sorry about your loss.

I can't help with identifying the predator, but a three-inch gap is large enough for lots of critters to get into and out of. Small possums, small raccoons, weasels.

 

[jazzymitchell]

Coons can get through just about anything they set their mind too.

 

[Amigo]

If you live in the west, it could be a Pine Martin. (They are a large weasel type of predator, but can fit through small spaces) The only way to prevent more loss would be a guard dog patroling around the pen. My strong suggestion is a great pyrenees. But a donkey or an alpaca would help, but you need protection anyway.

 

[Buiscuit]

hello, it sounds like what happened to my dads chickens. but it was a possum he went outside one night and saw it walking away with the chicken and he left the head behind. that happens because the possum trys to rip the breast out and the head gets torn off. the racoons usually go after the eggs but just kill chickens and sometimes rip them up. sorry about your loss.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Im so sory for your loss that must be horrible! But I would think a large weasel or a possum

 

[foxypoproxy]

something similar happened to me a couple years ago.
One of are roosters and a bunch of are hens were free ranging during the day...
later on that day we found are rooster with his head ripped off.
I don't know what animal rips the heads off of other animals and leaves the bodies >_>
I live on the east coast, normally i would think raccoon but because it was during the day i can only think it was a cat.
Cats are the only animals we have around here that won't eat the rest of the chicken

hawks take the whole body, no dogs, foxes or coyotes could get in because we have a fence.

 

[kmitche3]

Thanks so much for the input. I fixed the roof and haven’t had another attack yet. I might help that I also set my tent up outside and am sleeping down by the coops. That sure would be one surprised possum when it saw me coming out of my tent.

 

[bertman]

Quote:
Actually, here in N.C. a farmer friend who raises hundreds of chickens says the hawks cannot lift his hens so they take the head. Maybe if they got biddy or a small pullet they could lift it and fly away, but not a full-size hen.

 

[foxypoproxy]

Quote:
Actually, here in N.C. a farmer friend who raises hundreds of chickens says the hawks cannot lift his hens so they take the head. Maybe if they got biddy or a small pullet they could lift it and fly away, but not a full-size hen.

Well it was a golden sebright so i know it wasn't a hawk.
The hawk could of easily lifted it.