Help Identify What Attacked my Flock

[Strozerkat]

Went out to let the chickens out of the coop this morning and noticed the rooster was missing. I investigated and there was a little puddle of blood and a few feathers on the ramp outside the back door that goes into their run, which must not have been properly secured by my husband as it was open. No other chickens were harmed in the attack and there was no evidence inside the coop itself. I checked fairly far into the woods around the coop for a couple of hours, looking for the carcass but couldn't find it.

The reason I am perplexed is because the rooster showed up alive in the yard this evening. I've never had a chicken return after being taken from the coop.

He had claw marks on his neck and back, his comb and wattles missing, one side of his body was bitten and had some chunks of flesh missing.

I assumed it was a raccoon but I've never experienced a raccoon attack where a bird was left alive and dragged so far from the coop. Does it sound like I'm dealing with something else? We have some live traps but have only ever caught raccoons.

I live on the east coast of Canada in a rural area next to swamp land and deep woods if that helps.

This is all for curiosity sake by the way, we learned the hard way to double check the door.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

It could of been a raccoon, but the reason why the rooster came back is because he gave too much of a fight. Believe it or not, but some chickens, especially the ones with the duty of protection, will fight an attacking predator and occasionally win.

 

[My Bagurks]

First off, you have one bad ass rooster. To have come back from that PLUS no other chickens were harmed, that rooster is a hero.

As to what kind of predator, I’m not sure. In my experience, raccoons kill the chicken before trying to carry it off. And typically raccoons will bite the neck, even severing the head completely.

Foxes and coyotes have carried off live chickens before. I can usualy follow the trail where the chicken still had some fight left in it. But in those cases, I also found where the meal was had and it was too far into the wood line near the coop.

Do you have bobcats or larger predators in your area?

 

[SilverBirds]

Raccoons, as others said, don't normally drag off live birds. Foxes will though.

You have yourself a good rooster, mate. I'd keep him around as long as you can. The fact that he protected his girls and got away himself, a true hero. Wishing him a speedy recovery! Let us know if you need help caring for his battle wounds.

 

[McChooky]

I know you didn't ask for advise about his injuries but he could easily set up an infection and die if his wounds aren't cleaned and treated. I hope the guy makes it .Its rare one gets carried away and survives the injuries.

 

[Strozerkat]

Some of the wounds he had were already infested with bugs by the time he made it home so we decided to put him down rather than have him continue to suffer with a tiny chance of surviving. RIP Chief ❤ I appreciate all the lovely comments, he was indeed a very special guy, it's a shame he's gone.

A silver lining was that we incubated some of his babies and they are now in the process of hatching.

I'm not sure I'll ever know what got him, which sucks but it is what it is. There's so many possibilities: raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, who knows. This area has such a surplus of predators. He must have put up an intense fight and I'm proud of him. Hopefully our other rooster is up for the task of filling those big shoes.

 

[McChooky]

Some of the wounds he had were already infested with bugs by the time he made it home so we decided to put him down rather than have him continue to suffer with a tiny chance of surviving. RIP Chief ❤ I appreciate all the lovely comments, he was indeed a very special guy, it's a shame he's gone.

A silver lining was that we incubated some of his babies and they are now in the process of hatching.

I'm not sure I'll ever know what got him, which sucks but it is what it is. There's so many possibilities: raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, who knows. This area has such a surplus of predators. He must have put up an intense fight and I'm proud of him. Hopefully our other rooster is up for the task of filling those big shoes.

Any chance your hubby didn't forget to shut & lock the door? Coons can open simple latches using their tiny thumbs. He may have flown up in a tree and stayed until it left. Sorry for your loss!

 

[-Shade-]

Perhaps a mink or weasel. Minks are pretty vicious little monsters.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your list, RIP brave Chief!

 

[picklestheduck]

Wow I’m so amazed. Rip chief the amazing rooster.