Hen KILL I.D. ? (Pics attached)

[Rese]

We have lost 3 of our 5 treasured Hens this week. They have humorously and joyfully free ranged during daytime on our semi-wooded, fenced, acres for over two years and thanked us with delicious yearround Organic eggs. Their Roo FryerTuck has been excellent. . Until now!
They are in a secure Coop from dusk to morning.
Never had a problem until now and these last two kills were certainly not for food which saddens me most. One Hen was under our empty dump trailer and other a few feet away under a small bush when we finally located them thismorning after they hadn't returned to their Coop.
I'm attaching pics of last two kills and our remaining trio.
ANY thoughts based on wounds which were almost identical? Heads also attached and no signs of struggle.

 

[DLA]

I'm sorry for your losses to your flock! What kinds smaller predators are typical for your area? Possibly an outdoor cat or some member of the weasel family if I had to guess. You may want to invest in a portable electric fencing unit.

 

[Luv Ducks]

We have lost 3 of our 5 treasured Hens this week. They have humorously and joyfully free ranged during daytime on our semi-wooded, fenced, acres for over two years and thanked us with delicious yearround Organic eggs. Their Roo FryerTuck has been excellent. . Until now!
They are in a secure Coop from dusk to morning.
Never had a problem until now and these last two kills were certainly not for food which saddens me most. One Hen was under our empty dump trailer and other a few feet away under a small bush when we finally located them thismorning after they hadn't returned to their Coop.
I'm attaching pics of last two kills and our remaining trio.
ANY thoughts based on wounds which were almost identical? Heads also attached and no signs of struggle.

To me it looks like a dog's doing. They will grab them and shake them until they are dead and then drop them and go on. Are there any in your area that might have done this?

 

[pennyJo1960]

I bet it was ferret they take the heads leave the rest.

 

[sourland]

Did you ever determine what the predator was?

 

[Luv Ducks]

I bet it was ferret they take the heads leave the rest.

They had stated though that the heads were not taken is why I thought dogs.

 

[Bridgetandthechicks]

We have lost 3 of our 5 treasured Hens this week. They have humorously and joyfully free ranged during daytime on our semi-wooded, fenced, acres for over two years and thanked us with delicious yearround Organic eggs. Their Roo FryerTuck has been excellent. . Until now!
They are in a secure Coop from dusk to morning.
Never had a problem until now and these last two kills were certainly not for food which saddens me most. One Hen was under our empty dump trailer and other a few feet away under a small bush when we finally located them thismorning after they hadn't returned to their Coop.
I'm attaching pics of last two kills and our remaining trio.
ANY thoughts based on wounds which were almost identical? Heads also attached and no signs of struggle.

I lost 3 of my hens in the early hours of this morning, what killed your hens could have been the same animal, which is likely a mink. A fox would have likely tried to take them for food whereas minks kill chickens for little to no reason. I understand completely how you’re feeling, we’ve had our chickens for almost 4 years and have been very lucky with having no attacks until now.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I lost 3 of my hens in the early hours of this morning, what killed your hens could have been the same animal, which is likely a mink. A fox would have likely tried to take them for food whereas minks kill chickens for little to no reason. I understand completely how you’re feeling, we’ve had our chickens for almost 4 years and have been very lucky with having no attacks until now.

Minks are absolutely horrible. I am so sorry for both of your losses. They can get in just about anywhere and are notorious for killing and leaving everything in tact.

 

[Henpecked Dad]

Are minks common in your town? I don't know if we have them here in SC but I'll be on the lookout for a potential fur collar!!

 

[Luv Ducks]

Are minks common in your town? I don't know if we have them here in SC but I'll be on the lookout for a potential fur collar!!

I have heard of them being spotted 5 miles from me but so far I have not seen any in our neighborhood and pray I never do.