Predator or person?

[angiesmith]

A couple nights ago I had my guinea killed & not sure what it could be? We have a surround area with an electric fence & the area that the guinea was in was a dog crate closed up next to the larger barn as we are getting ready to mix them in with the rest of the birds in the next couple weeks. The dog crate had a tarp over it & nothing was moved, scratched, etc... perfect shape. I found the head a foot from the opening of the cage & the body was still in the cage. I've heard that raccoon's can do this, but the unsettling thing is that the head was in perfect shape, no claw marks or anything. The body was in good shape with no scratch marks that I could see. That night I put flour around the opening & it looked like it was brushed around, but no foot prints. The last 2 nights I've slept within ears shot of them with no issues. I do have a neighbor that really doesn't like them at all. Could it be? Really hope not, but everything is too perfect not to wonder.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Sounds like raccoon to me. They can easily slip under the tarp and back out without disturbing anything. They love to pull the head through the cage.

 

[iwiw60]

Sounds like raccoon to me. They can easily slip under the tarp and back out without disturbing anything. They love to pull the head through the cage.

X2 ... sounds like a raccoon to me, too

 

[angiesmith]

Wouldn't they scratch the head at all when doing this? I hate to assume the worst but it seems so perfect. Should I be worried that it will be back?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Maybe not tonight or tomorrow but it will be back for sure.
It probably grabbed the neck, which is what they normally do and pulled it through and wasn't interested in the head.

 

[6of6chicks]

I haven't had it happen to me, but I've read a few accounts of raccoons pulling body parts through wire. Really graphic, horrible stuff. It's entirely possible the raccoon simply tore the bird's head off, then dropped it and ran (if it was startled). So sorry - it's awful!

The flour is a great idea, though. I'd keep putting it out every night until you have prints. If it's a raccoon he will definitely be back now that he knows there's an available food source. If you haven't done so already, reinforce your coop so he can't get his hands on another bird.

 

[tantricdragon13]

We kept seeing evidence of critters in our yard after dark. We bought an animal trap (fairly inexpensive at hardware stores - maybe $20 or so) and have put it out whenever we see disturbances in the yard or around the coop. We first caught a HUGE raccoon that I think was living under our porch (Thank God it didn't get to the chooks - those things scare me when it comes to chickens!). The second time we put out the trap we caught a skunk.

The raccoon was relocated to the woods (we live in the city), and the skunk was disposed of by Metro Animal Control.

Good riddance!

 

[6of6chicks]

The raccoon was relocated to the woods (we live in the city), and the skunk was disposed of by Metro Animal Control.

Good riddance!

That's great that you were able to trap them, but next time please think about calling animal control or a professional service instead of relocating the animal yourself. In many states it is illegal to relocate wildlife without a permit or license. Also, some of us live near the "woods," and it's very frustrating when people dump their wildlife in our backyards. I'm not saying you did that, but it has happened to me plenty of times and then I'm stuck dealing with the unwanted wildlife.

 

[tantricdragon13]

That's great that you were able to trap them, but next time please think about calling animal control or a professional service instead of relocating the animal yourself. In many states it is illegal to relocate wildlife without a permit or license. Also, some of us live near the "woods," and it's very frustrating when people dump their wildlife in our backyards. I'm not saying you did that, but it has happened to me plenty of times and then I'm stuck dealing with the unwanted wildlife.

Good point. However, I don't think it's illegal around here. We told Animal Control what we had done, and they didn't bat an eye. Though the woman who came out for the skunk did ask if I had a permit for the chickens.

Though I hear ya - next time we'll save the country folk the hassle.

I grew up in the least populated county in my state, so I sometimes forget that "woods" doesn't always equal "no one there".

 

[ChickenCanoe]

NEVER relocate vermin thinking you're being humane.

There's about 10 good reasons why it's a bad idea.