Rooster Dead, Need Help Identifying Culprit *Graphic Pics*

[cmom]

This morning I woke up to find my rooster dead, I have luckily not had much experience with predators so I have no idea what killed him. I have two runs, one is smaller, covered and is connected directly to the coop, the other is larger, not covered and is connected to the smaller run by a door. I generally leave this door connecting the two runs open, never had problems before besides a chicken getting out every once in a while. Inside the smaller run, I have a small box that I used to integrate my bantams into the flock when they were young, this has been left open now that everyones friends. Rooster was found in this box, his head missing and one wing connected to body only by bone. Feathers were found scattered around the large run, however no blood anywhere on floor. (In large run, small run, coop, small box.) Rooster did have some blood on his feet, I'm guessing where he tried to defend himself. I'm assuming either Rooster fought off/got away from predator and possibly ran into box while being headless, OR Rooster was killed outside and predator dragged body into box to eat in peace. It doesn't really make much sense to me, considering there isn't any blood in box and all the feathers are in large run. My neighbors have had problems with owls in the past, and I lost one other hen 8-10 months ago from a predator. Assumed it was a hawk as no body, just feathers/droplets of blood. Covered the small run and I've no more problems since. My hens are unscathed, and didn't even seem remotely upset their rooster had died. Our dogs were in house, and neighbor's dogs haven't come onto property before. As far as I can tell, there's not been any forced entry into either runs, which rules out coyotes/dogs.

TL: DR Rooster dead, no blood, feathers scattered, head is missing and one wing is held on by exposed bone. Hens fine. Need help identifying predator and possible ways to prevent another attack.

Keep the door shut at night when most predators are out and about.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I'm inclined to say some bird of prey. The bone is stripped almost completely white, which is a bit tedious for a mammal.

 

[cmom]

I have several game cameras. I was surprised at the predators that roam here especially at night. In fact I just went out because I saw a fox and wasn't sure if I had closed both pop doors in my chick/grow-out coop. Good thing I did. The pop doors were closed but the gate wasn't. I'll have a picture of it tomorrow on at least one camera.

 

[AbstractChickens]

Firstly thanks for all the replies! I have locked up all my chickens last night and am going to continue to do so. After talking with my neighbors they swear it was an owl. I've locked the smaller run and have gone around and sealed up any holes that anything larger than a beetle could get through. I'm also sure that the attack was not in the night, as Rooster always perched in the back of coop, while my hens would perch in front or even on ramp some nights. I didn't really think his skittish self would have tried to protect his hens but I guess I was wrong.
I'm in north texas btw.

 

[cmom]

Many years ago an owl went into a coop. It killed several birds. My rooster must have fought it. One hen must have been able to hide. Another hen had her comb damaged. My male was bloody but otherwise ok. He was totally freaked out. I moved the survivors to another coop. That is when I bought some good heavy duty netting and covered the pens.

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

Do you close your chickens in the coop at night?

 

[PepsiCatt]

WHOA! whatever it was, it picked the bone clean!
i once had a decapitated hen, and it seemed like it had been ripped off.(weasel i think)
so its not a weasel that took ur roo.
sorry tho ):