Predator watch...

[Athiena14]

I am currently on watch for something big. Something has taken out a male goose and 2 turkey hens in 2 separate attacks. No feathers no sign of fight except with the goose, being a female got injuries to neck and head. She is surviving.

The hen had been up 4 1/2 feet up when snatched.

Any ideas what it might be? I'm in Missouri. The biggest things we have usually around me are coyotes, bobcat and mountain lion. Whatever it was has not touched dead chicks near the edge of the woods.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Any signs of any foot prints?
Were they in an open area?

 

[Athiena14]

Any signs of any foot prints?
Were they in an open area?

They were in an open area. No foot prints due to ground being frozen

 

[333113]

I am currently on watch for something big. Something has taken out a male goose and 2 turkey hens in 2 separate attacks. No feathers no sign of fight except with the goose, being a female got injuries to neck and head. She is surviving.

The hen had been up 4 1/2 feet up when snatched.

Any ideas what it might be? I'm in Missouri. The biggest things we have usually around me are coyotes, bobcat and mountain lion. Whatever it was has not touched dead chicks near the edge of the woods.

Have you seen foxes in your area?

They are sneaky, do a killing bite quickly, and take away the entire carcass. They can climb and have no problem with carrying a dead chicken or duck over a four foot fence, in my experience.

 

[deldeer]

Possible Red Fox. Not sure how prevalent they are in your area

 

[CluckerFamily]

I have seen a red fox attack a rabbit and pull all the fur off before carrying it off and I have also seen a red fox take an entire prey and leave no trace.
I would lean toward a fox.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. My suggestion would be to put up a game camera. Most likely whatever it was will be back and has probably been lurking looking for an opportunity and found one. With a camera you will probably see what has been lurking and the possible killer. Anyone of the predators you mentioned in your previous post could have been the culprit. Good luck...

 

[centrarchid]

Coyote or Bobcat. Fox would leave a lot of feathers tackling such big prey. Explain dead chicks near edge of woods.

 

[Athiena14]

Coyote or Bobcat. Fox would leave a lot of feathers tackling such big prey. Explain dead chicks near edge of woods.

Dead chicks near edge of woods are ones that have died in the brooder. I throw them out near the woods for things to eat, away from the coops

 

[333113]

Dead chicks near edge of woods are ones that have died in the brooder. I throw them out near the woods for things to eat, away from the coops

See, I would not do that. It's like an advertisement saying, "Chicken Served Here."

Every predator likes the taste of chicken.