Loss of chick

[LarryTX]

I had a half grown Old English Game Bantam in a pen made of 1in. X 2in. wire. I went out this morning the chick was dead. It appears that his head and hackle feather had been went and matted. His eyes were closed. Personally, I think it was a snake due to the chick being in the wire cage. Does anyone else have any ideas?

 

[CountryFlock]

Being from Northern Indiana we don’t have snakes but that’s what I would guess. What area do you live in?

If it was a mink or raccoon there would probably be blood.

I had a young porcelain Pyncheon in a cage with similar wire. Raccoon came and yanked the head off of it and ran away.

The dumb Pyncheon was obviously not afraid of the raccoon.

 

[Punkybrewster]

It does sound like a snake. They eat head first. It found your bird was too big to eat and left it. Sorry.
Cover the cage with hardware cloth. That will help. 1/4 inch size

 

[LarryTX]

I live in north/central Texas, about 40 miles north of Dallas. We don’t have mink in the area but raccoons are plentiful. There was no blood so I suppose the hardware cloth is the answer.

 

[cmom]

I think a snake too.

 

[LarryTX]

It does sound like a snake. They eat head first. It found your bird was too big to eat and left it. Sorry.
Cover the cage with hardware cloth. That will help. 1/4 inch size

Thank you

I think a snake too.

Thanks.