Photo of our dead chicken! What was it?

[ericbolstridge]

Our coop opens to a 30x20 run enclosed by a 4' fence. The coop door was accidentally left open last night, and we didn't check on them until this evening, when we discovered what's shown in the photo. The entire bird is still there - beak, head, legs and wings, etc. No blood at all and almost all of the "meat" is missing. The neck is totally bare. Lots of feathers in two areas in the run, one or two sizeable "chunks" of feathers that include a bit of flesh, and the bird itself was found in the middle of the yard. No evidence of digging under the fence. I don't think the attack happened overnight, as there were no feathers in the coop at all - evidence of mayhem was all outside in the run. Could something have killed the chicken (maybe a small hawk) and then the other chickens had a few hours to peck the carcass clean?

 

[SilkieBantams]

I think it could have been a Coopers Hawk that has killed it.

 

[Gerbil]

I'd go with raccoon or possum, most likely raccoon.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The entire bird is still there - beak, head, legs and wings, etc. No blood at all and almost all of the "meat" is missing.

That sounds like a hawk to me, since they seldom eat the bones​

 

[Lothiriel]

I'd say hawk as well. Looks like the messes they've left when they got some of my birds.

 

[mrs b. bates farm]

i have 2 chicken hawks tring to to get my chickens what can i do?

 

[AndersonFolk]

mrs b. bates farm :

i have 2 chicken hawks tring to to get my chickens what can i do?

SSS.... unless your in the city or surrounded by ruley neighbors.

Shoot
Shovel
Shutup​

 

[Grog]

Quote:
SSS.... unless your in the city or surrounded by ruley neighbors.

Shoot
Shovel
Shutup

what he said

 

[mrpekinduck]

Probably an owl as hawks go into a state of deep sleep at night. Hope you catch the culprit!

Brian

 

[nurse_turtle]

Quote:
SSS.... unless your in the city or surrounded by ruley neighbors.

Shoot
Shovel
Shutup

what he said

x3