Killed chickens

[Hildegard]

Hi I 've been wondering what might have done this. It happened from 12 to 3 pm. There is a fox in the area but I never had a problem with only saw it very early I the morning.. The predator killed both my chickens but didn't try to eat any of them and both were a bit burried under the ground(I m not sure if it was the predator or the chickens were just trying to escape). The main suspect is a cat I've seen around a couple of times, other possibilities would be a raven or a crow as they come often to steal corn. Thanks in advance for any tips you might have about the predator.

 

[azygous]

First you need to research what predators you have where you live. If you had put your location in your profile, I'd already be telling you that.

Then you need to figure out how the predator accessed the area where your chickens were and what time of day or night it happened. That will rule out some.

Many predators are adept at scaling fences of any height. Bobcats and foxes are stellar climbers. Raccoons are Houdinis at gaining access to seemingly impenetrable structures. Owls and fly in through narrow slits under eaves, but won't be able to leave with their booty.

Most domestic cats aren't chicken killers but most dogs are.

 

[Hildegard]

First you need to research what predators you have where you live. If you had put your location in your profile, I'd already be telling you that.

Then you need to figure out how the predator accessed the area where your chickens were and what time of day or night it happened. That will rule out some.

Many predators are adept at scaling fences of any height. Bobcats and foxes are stellar climbers. Raccoons are Houdinis at gaining access to seemingly impenetrable structures. Owls and fly in through narrow slits under eaves, but won't be able to leave with their booty.

Most domestic cats aren't chicken killers but most dogs are.

I live in Geneva Switzerland, and as I wrote there aren't many possibilities. It happened during the day so I don't think it was a fox which would leave crows/ravens and cats

 

[Geena]

It happened during the day so I don't think it was a fox

Foxes will definitely take chickens in the daytime, especially in the spring and early summer when they are rearing kits. I had a couple of fox attack survivors and they had very similar wounds to what you have pictured.

 

[nuthatched]

It sounds like fox, foxes bury their food for later.

 

[Hildegard]

It sounds like fox, foxes bury their food for later.

A fox wouldn't start eating them at all ?

 

[cmom]

I agree it sounds like a fox. If you have a game camera, put it up and then you will probably see what is lurking around. Good luck...

 

[nuthatched]

A fox wouldn't start eating them at all ?

Sometimes, if they're hungry then but they can also hide food for later, especially if they have little ones.

 

[Henry&Friends]

A fox wouldn't start eating them at all ?

If something spooked the fox, it would leave the birds and run off. Hawks will also drop chickens and take to the air if you catch and scare them off, but it sounds like it wasn’t a hawk.

 

[chickens really]

I'm also thinking a Fox. I had my share of them. They hunt anytime of the day. They burry their kills to come back for them.