Got the Necropsy Results - No Absolute Definitive, but Not by Coop-mates

[Nic&Chickies]

>>> WARNING: Clinically Graphic Description to follow <<<

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GROSS FINDINGS:
Four adult chickens were submitted for necropsy examination.

Chicken 1: "Helen" New Hampshire Red, 2+ years old, leg Band CTA13610. There was extensive hemorrhage on the head and subcutaneously along the adjacent neck. There were small tears in the skin and some perforations that appeared to be "bite marks." She was in good body condition and was in production with a hard shell egg in the oviduct.

Chicken 2: "Bianca" White Leghorn, 2 years old. There was extensive hemorrhage with tearing of the skin over the head and neck and over the back in the lumbar and coxcygeal areas. There were "bite marks" with what appeared to be chewing on the head. She was not in production but was in good body condition.

Chicken 3: "Comet" Red Comet, born 4/11. The head and neck were missing. There was what appeared to be chewinng of vertebrae at the remaining cervical spine with extensive blood staining of feathers around thoracic areas. She was in production with a soft shelled egg in the oviduct. there was one inspissated remnant of an ovarian follicle in the abdominal cavity.

Chicken 4: "Millie" Millet Tour (sic) (that's Mille Fleur) D'Uccle, born 4/11. Most of the head and upper cervical vertebrae were missing with the remainder chewed and fragmented. There was extensive hemorrhage along the neck area. She was in production and in good body condition.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: NA
SPECIAL STAINS: NA
....

DIAGNOSIS​

MORPHOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS:
All 4 chickens: Extensive trauma to the heads and necks with extensive hemorrhage. Extensive trauma to the back areas of one chicken.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
Extensive trauma with extensive hemorrhage.
COMMENTS:
The trauma was characterized by "bite marks" and evidence of extensive chewing and some missing tissues of the heads and necks. The cause was from a "predator" that had gained entrance to the housing of the chickens.
Avian influenza PCR testing was negative.
So, even though chickens can "go after" each other, pecking at each other, that is not what happened in this case. Something did get in to the coop during Storm Sandy, resulting in the death of (now) five of my nine chickens.

 

[Muzzie]

I'm so sorry how heartbreaking for you

 

[Gallina Sarda]

So sorry for your loss. Can you determine where the predator gained access and secure the entry point(s)? Hopefully you can keep the rest of your flock safe from returning predators. Good luck.

 

[littleoak]

Like others have said in your other post, it is a weasel or mink. It may be living in your coop in some secret place. They can get in the tiniest places and usually sleep all day. They are very hard (for me) to catch or kill, as they are so quiet and quick. My only solution that worked was to sit quietly near or in the chicken house with a gun, and about two hours after dark they would show up. You have to shoot fast because as soon as you move they know it and try to escape. I know there are other methods but I've had no luck with them.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

once trapped, a mink would not be able to run away from a gunshot.