Puzzled about 2nd hen death this week

[Mauri]

I had 6 hens - 4 easter eggers and 2 white rocks. On Wednesday afternoon I found the white easter egger disemboweled from the back side inside of the run. I assumed this was an act of aggressive cannibalism since one of the white rocks has been notorious for picking on the others by means that often draw blood.

This morning I went to check on them and found the other white rock dead with injuries that appeared the same OUTSIDE of the coop. The girls find it fun to sometimes dig under the walls of the run and break out. She was the only one outside, so I can rule out cannibalism. Next to her was an egg broken open and she had a small area of feathers with yolk on them near the wound, but her head/neck area appears intact. All 5 hens were locked up last night when I checked on them, so I know she wasn't out all night. But at 7am it seems like a lot would have had to have happened in a very short time between the chickens getting up and having the time to get out. It also seems like a very late hour for nocturnal predators to be prowling.

I'm at a loss! I don't know how to stop my flock from dying!

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upon closer inspection, she had no head...so obviously it was a predator the second time. I guess my question is then about whether or not egg binding can cause a death that looked like my white easter egger's.

 

[Darklingstorm]

you definitely have a predator and 7am or earlier is not too early for some raccoons and other critters. A thorough inspection of the coop and run are need and fix all access points. Look for tracks or other evidence (hair) of the culprit.
Since the chickens are getting killed after you let them out, grab a chair and watch. Let them out and watch for what is coming in. Then you will know what you will need to trap/kill the predator. If you can't stay and watch then hook up a video camera.

One thing is for sure, a predator has found a food source and won't stop till you kill it or remove the food (ie your chickens).

 

[seminolewind]

Hawk maybe?

 

[kgardiner]

...or a racoon?