Gutted hen, chickens or rodents?

[keeperofthechickens]

Had an older egg bound hen and she passed away. I did not find her body for a few days and she was behind a hay bale in the coop.

The strangest part was her whole insides were gone, completly gutted. She was eggbound and looked like she was going to burst earlier in the week so I am woundering if the chickens pecked at her and ate her entrails or if rodents came in and did it.

The coop has a fully enclosed run, and I have seen anything bigger than a mouse getting in the coop. If it was a rodent, would mice do this or am I dealing with rats?

 

[silkiechick05]

Oh wow...

i wish i could help


i've heard of chickens being cannibalistic though

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Other chickens will do this, especially if the chicken in question is already dead.

Rats will do this as well, but it is not uncommon for chickens to eat their dead, especially in this manner.

 

[keeperofthechickens]

Thanks for confirming.

 

[zman]

I had a skunk do this to my little girl..