Help me figure out this predator, please

[Gallagher]

I went to my coop today and found 2 of my young flock dead. They are about 5-6 weeks old and each one is the cutest. It is a weird death in that each one has one small wound ...hard to find...on it's neck and there is a little blood but nothing else. Maybe a teaspoon of blood at each site and that is it...no other wounds. They were both inside the hen house, we have kept hens here for years. I know I found a rat hole this year and boarded that up good, as we had one chick completely disappear the first week and I can not imagine anything getting thru that entrance again. Could it have been something that just killed and sucked the blood out? The heads were intact. Any hep anyone could give would be terrific, thanks, Bridget

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Mink or weasel.

 

[Redcatcher]

Weasels but they tend to remove the heads. Possibly they didn't have time.

 

[remadl700]

Quote:
Place some rat traps in the coop with bait for starters so the birds can't get to them. Send pics of them so i can see the damage. The rat attacks usually have lots off feathers pulled and as stated before the weasel and minks will rip off the heads. They like eating the crops.

 

[ruffedgrouse]

Weasel they like to eat the blood

 

[Silkie Sue]

My vote is Mink.
In May, one came and killed 10 Silkies and 5 ducklings....... he just punctured the back of their heads and sucked out their blood.I hope you catch him and do what needs to be done....
here is the one that came back 5 days later

very sorry for your loss.... i know its awful to walk into such a massacre...

 

[colebarnhart]

It's a Chupacabre!!! It's name means "goat sucker" because it sucks blood like a vampire, however, it attacks chickens and other pets and livestock.

TEXAS

GEORGIA

NEW Mexico