New hen found outside enclosed pen, sliced from beak down

[BeckyLa]

Were they locked in their coops at night or did this happen after you let them out? If they were locked up do you see marks, digging, or signs of breaking and entering from the run? I still say a coon or fox or mink or....

 

[Orpingtonman]

They were locked up, they always are. I let them out some at night sometimes but not often. After they stretch there legs and wings for a while i rustle them back up in the runs for the night. I have neighbors pretty close so i don't let em free roam with out "supervision" Especially the BUff. He likes to wander in flower beds that arnt mine

All of it was locked tight except for that one little whole i found afterwards.

 

[TaLani]

Wegotchickens, yes, it could be a weasel too - they're as nasty as possums too from what I've heard.

 

[Orpingtonman]

I guess there no real way of pinning it down until i see it come back. Hopefully, it won't

 

[clhbubba]

If there is one thing you CAN count on, that is that the culprit WILL be back! Whatever it was(sound like a possum, though they will often eat and leave the leftovers for you to find in the coop) has just found a free buffet as far as it is concerned and a privacy fence will not deter them. I had one leave bloody foot prints(from my beloved pet duck) straight up the outside of the chicken house. Straight up and down, 6 feet tall, no claw marks, just like spider man. He had pulled large nails out of the wood and bent chain link fencing back to get in. My Pyrenees now handles them. He does the dirty work so I don't have to!!! I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Poohbear]

Live catch trap with Sardines for bait will show you all your predators.

 

[onecent]

Quote:
wow, sorry for your loss!!

, im in roanoke rapids too, i hope i dont run into that predator!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

Barn owls split them like that. So sorry.