Guess the Predator

[Peaches Lee]

Yesterday I came home to a missing Silkie rooster, my favorite. Found a clump of feathers in the Lilac bush, his favorite napping place. Was a little alarmed but tried not to jump to conclusions. Well, jump away because follow the clumps of feathers and you’ll find a whole bunch of feathers and no body in sight. Verdict: predator killed rooster.

So, this happened during the day. Ten feet from my house. Next to the clothesline that was being used throughout the day. The chicken was taken away from the acquisition site. Plucked of feathers out in the open, and then taken into tall weeds/abandoned property with multiple hiding places in the likes of buildings, camper and such.

So, I’m trying to think what got my special boy. Fox? Weasel? A neighbor even mentioned a bobcat because they’ve seen one on their trail cam. Any guesses?

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Mrs. Peacock with the lead pipe in the library?

I don’t actually have a guess...

Are you looking to catch the killer, or are you just curious about it?

Either answer if fine, but the replies on these types of threads often end up “swinging wide and scraping the guard rail” so to speak when the intentions are not clear.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Foxes grab and run. Might find a feather or two at the catch site but that is about it. Coons like to mangle what they have and drag it through the brush. A bobcat would also carry it though a feral, domestic cat would also drag it. A weasel is too small to carry off a bird and eats it on the spot. A coon will come in the daytime if they have no fear. Get a live trap that has a 12 inch square opening. Set it with sardines or a small can of cat food. Whatever it was will be back.

 

[Matzwd]

Could even have been a dog. Given there are so many feathers, likely not an aerial predator.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Thanks all for your feedback! Whatever it was was incredibly stealthy as my mother was out back and forth to the clothesline all day and this chicken was nabbed directly next to the clothesline.

I have lots of cats but none have ever gone after a chicken. They are a bit afraid of them. I’ve twice had dogs massacre my flock and am confident it’s not a dog.

It carried my chicken quite a distance so I’m thinking that rules out raccoon. I’ve thought maybe coyote but none of my cats are missing and I’ve not heard anything at night. I’m just curious what would have that much nerve to come so close to my house with disregard for the activity about!

 

[cmom]

If you have a game camera put it up because the predator will be back and then you will know what you're dealing with. It appears to me to be a fox.

 

[Peaches Lee]

I’m thinking fox too. I went walking back to where I found the large pile of feathers and came across a bear a bit further down from my location. I don’t think a bear would be as agile or quick at getting my chicken as a fox.

Thank you all for chiming in.