My rooster and hen found dead

[Scoutinspace]

I came home and found my rooster and hen dead - a trail of feathers everywhere - a galvanized can knocked over - and the heads eaten - but still attached. The insides were yellowish which was also scary to see. Im so upset. So upset. I really love my chickens and the rooster, especially. I saw blood om the feathers and thought it was a racoon...but the heads were left on. Thoughts?

 

[sourland]

Feathers scattered around and birds not eaten - increases the possibility it was a dog just killing for fun rather than to eat.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry for your losses, it's awful.
During the day? Then not a raccoon, more likely a canine of some sort. A dog is high on the list.
If you have more birds, lock them in your safe coop and run, and set up a game camera if possible. Your predator will return! Take pictures, and see if you can trace the direction travelled, and if there are any tracks.
Mary

 

[Geena]

and the heads eaten

but the heads were left on.

Doesn't sound like a dog to me, they wouldn't strip the flesh off the heads like that. If it happened at night could be a raccoon, skunk or owl. During the day I'd think hawk.

 

[ashcons]

[...] a trail of feathers everywhere [...] and the heads eaten - but still attached. The insides were yellowish which was also scary to see.

Sorry for your losses. Sounds like BOP to me too. Yellow inside of them is probably just body fat. There's a good amount at the base of the neck/top of the breast and around the top back side of the legs / body cavity.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Sorry for your losses. Sounds like BOP to me too. Yellow inside of them is probably just body fat. There's a good amount at the base of the neck/top of the breast and around the top back side of the legs / body cavity.

What is BOP?

 

[ashcons]

What is BOP?

Bird of prey in this instance. Blessing of Protection if you're a nerd.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Bird of prey in this instance. Blessing of Protection if you're a nerd.

I don't follow??

 

[Sammi_0411]

So sorry for ur loss must if been terrible to find them like that

 

[Scoutinspace]

So sorry for ur loss must if been terrible to find them like that

It was so heartbreaking. I was/am so attached to especially the rooster. He was my morning and sunset. Thank you for your words.