lost a chicken to unknown predator, any ideas???

[moose]

I lost one of my golden comets the other day to an unknown predator. She was found in the coop in a nest box (about 4 feet off the ground) dead. Her head and neck appeared wet or slobbery, but otherwise she was intact. The other 3 hens were untouched and fine. The only thing I can come up with is possibly a snake climbed up there and attacked while she was sleeping, but got spooked or couldnt actually eat her. These hens are semi-freeranging in an area of about 600 square feet, with dogs on 2 sides of their fence. Any ideas what did this? Thanks. I would add pic but dont know how to add to this post????

 

[dixiechick]

YUCK! Does sound like a snake! I am sorry for your loss....

 

[backwoods]

How large was she? Snakes know what they can swallow for the most part and it would take a large snake to eat a grown hen. It is also one of they few predators that will not bring blood so it could still be a culpret.

 

[Steve1960]

See my post of today. Same thing, two birds in the last four days.