Mystery Predator

[pearl287]

I just lost my Buff Bantam Cochin. Everyone was locked up for the night and she was the only one roosting on the ground (the girls had been picking on her lately), so I left her there and this morning she was close to the same place her head eaten off and just a bit on one side of her wing. (Sorry for the gory details). Looking back I had a large pullet go the same way a month ago and none of this years pullets have made it and I was blaming the hawks. I looked for signs around the coop, but it was tight accept maybe a two inch or less little crawl space under the wire. What could have made it in that??

I've reinforced for tonight, but I was just hoping maybe you all would have experience with what I may be dealing with.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Sounds like something in the weasel family. They remove heads and can squeeze through the smallest spaces, certainly the size of hole you describe. Sorry for your losses.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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That's what I would say... so sorry.

 

[woodmort]

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A weasel very easily and sound like the work of one. They can fit through any hole big enough to allow a mouse to pass through. The bad news, he'll be back until you either repair that space or catch and eliminate him.

 

[KCchickens]

I know it sounds crazy but it could have even been a rat. One took of a young poults head ( I'm sure it had some rat friends helping him). But my rooster took one of the rats out. But it could definitly been a weasel maybe a skunk too. I hope you catch whatever it is! Good luck!

 

[woodmort]

Rats will usually eat the breast right down to the bone then work on the rest of the body. I doubt that it would have stopped with just the head.