Not sure if it's a predator!???

[rlcrn02]

I am heartbroken as I write this but hoping for insight... My coop has been hit with a respiratory illness. One of the sickest was my x-alpha roo, a Silkie named Melvin (was also molting). Last Saturday night, he was definitely "circling the drain", so we gave Tylan 50. Surprisingly, he made a turn around and I was able to put him back in the coop yesterday. Since starting into molt he had lost some status in the rooster lineup, so I watched at first to make sure my other roosters left him alone. A couple of them chased him a bit at first then lost interest. This morning he went out to free range with everyone. 4 hours later, I found him dead ( cold and stiff) out in the yard. All of the feathers on the left side of his neck were plucked out and there were several big holes in the skin on the back of his neck. No other apparent injuries, though he had blood on his beak and in his mouth. Before I saw his body, I had noticed that there was no other chickens out of the coop and 2 of my other roosters were standing "guard" at the coop door. Several of Melvin's girls were huddled together inside in a corner. None of my other chickens have any injuries or blood on them.
So any ideas? Did one of my other roosters do this? If so, will they continue to kill? Or could this have been some sort of predator? But why wouldn't it take the body?

Thanks for any insights you might have!

R.I.P. Melvin- You were such a good rooster to your girls! We love and will miss you!

 

[Flock Master64]

He looks beautiful, I'm sorry you lost him. To me it sounds like either your roosters got him or maybe a dog. Dogs kill for sport not for food so that's probably why he was left mostly in tact

 

[Flock Master64]

Just my thoughts though

 

[aart]

Happened while free ranging?
I'd say hawk.
But could have been anything.....dog would have likely chased other birds tho.

 

[rlcrn02]

It was a hawk. It came back for second try later that same day I think it was startled by my stepdaughter coming outside to take her dog in and that's why it left him. . I have kept the rest in the coop for the last two days. I plan to hang CD's from the trees and provide some hiding places now that most of the ones they had during the summer have died off. I, also, bought a couple of solar activated owl statues, so hopefully, we can keep from losing anyone else.

Thanks for the responses. Melvin died protecting his flock. He was a very brave little guy and we will miss him greatly!

 

[drumstick diva]

so sorry - the hawk will be back. The owls may work but, you should change their location every couple of days so they seem more realistic.

 

[aart]

It was a hawk. It came back for second try later that same day I think it was startled by my stepdaughter coming outside to take her dog in and that's why it left him. . I have kept the rest in the coop for the last two days. I plan to hang CD's from the trees and provide some hiding places now that most of the ones they had during the summer have died off. I, also, bought a couple of solar activated owl statues, so hopefully, we can keep from losing anyone else.

Thanks for the responses. Melvin died protecting his flock. He was a very brave little guy and we will miss him greatly!

Many preds can be scared off a carcass....partially eaten usually means whatever killed was scared off.
It's migration season for BOP......I'd leave your birds locked up for a couple weeks.

CD's and owls....save your efforts and money.