Predator identification

[StarCreekFarm]

Thanks in advance for any insights as to what predator I am likely pursuing. I have lost one 12 week old chick during the day that last two days. These are my first losses of any type in years and my other adult chickens and ducks are untouched.

The carcasses were missing everything except their backs, wings and feet and I found those in the same spot at the inside base of the fence. Yesterday there was just the carcass. Today, there was the carcass and feathers strewn about in the area.

My aviary is approximately 30' x 90', segregated into separate runs with adjoining coops inside. The aviary is encircled with 6' tall, 2" x 4" welded horse fence, topped with aviary netting above on a tent frame which is attached to the top of the horse fence all around, and a 3' high "snake" barrier of 1/4" hardware cloth at the base, that goes a foot underground. The base of the run is compacted gravel over that lip of hardware cloth, topped with heavy 1/2" rubber matting, topped with concrete sand. There are no obvious openings anywhere in the top, the sides nor the base.

In the past I have had a problem with raccoons when some of the aviary netting got torn, but never during the day. I also recently noticed large wood rats in the coop when I went out late one night, so have started removing every bit of food when I lock everyone in their respective coops at night. We have a high wild predator load of coyotes, bobcats, foxes, hawks, owls, ravens, snakes, you name it -- but no weasels that I am aware of. I am setting cameras today, but don't want to lose another one tomorrow.

These are my young White Faced Black Spanish that I was hoping to restore my flock. So greatly appreciate any thoughts on what this might be.

 

[Barnette]

Pictures of the area and carcasses would be helpful for those who are not squeamish. I'm sorry for your losses

 

[TOR]

whatever it is is small per your description of setup as nothing can get in. Weasels are bout in all USA states, not sure where you are. Could the chickens themselves have done it?
Get a camera set up.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[StarCreekFarm]

CONTENT WARNING:



@Barnette and @TOR thank you for your replies. I set up game cameras in their run and on the door of the coop just now and locked the chicks inside. The front of their coop is wire hog panel covered with hardware cloth, so if the predator comes back, I expect it will at least walk up to the door to look inside. I am certain the other chickens weren't able to get to the youngsters, but a great thought, and I appreciate all input!

A content warning that the attached pictures show the carcasses that were left behind, one each of the last two days. Remarkably similar pattern of what was eaten.

 

[TOR]

raccoons will eat feathers and all, you could look around the back of neck and see if you find small bite marks, thats a weasel. Weasel will eat the inside of a bird out I have read.
Looks like the heads are gone.
I am kinda at a loss,
Please report back what you find, be curious.

 

[McChooky]

Looks like a bird of prey but I could be wrong.

 

[Barnette]

Yikes

 

[StarCreekFarm]

raccoons will eat feathers and all, you could look around the back of neck and see if you find small bite marks, thats a weasel. Weasel will eat the inside of a bird out I have read.
Looks like the heads are gone.
I am kinda at a loss,
Please report back what you find, be curious.

thanks again for the reply. I'll let you know what I see on the cameras over the next couple of days. I didn't see any small bite marks on the necks.

 

[TOR]

Looks like a bird of prey but I could be wrong.

What ever it was is big enough to eat all the insides and the other parts of the bird, after looking again alot to eat for a weasel,but no way in? Something figured way in. had to.
Im baffled.........

 

[lagrange chicks]

Could be the Rats.