SOMEONE is killing my hens

[am040608]

I was home all day Wednesday and went and checked on our dozen hens and fed them some oats in the afternoon. About 30 minutes later my daughters got home from school and noticed one of them laying in the yard awkwardly. I went inside the chickens large fenced in run to check only to find that the entire head had been severed and the entire neck was completely removed leaving a cleanly cut hole, similar to how you would find a chicken in a grocery store. However all of the organs including the heart and liver were intact. There were no other marks, cuts, scrapes or missing feathers on the hen. I almost immediately determined it easily could have been done with a knife but mulled over the possibilities of what kind of animal could be capeable of such and furthermore, leave the meat and organs behind and take the head and neck bone. Since I had been home all day I found this obviously disturbing.
Yesterday my son whom is 7 and disabled had an appointment five hours away at a specialist clinic. We returned in the evening and I immediately went to check on the flock as I was worried. I started counting and realized one was missing but felt a sigh of relief when I saw her roosting up in the coop. Only when I got closer that I realized that her head was awkwardly twisted. As I approached her I could see that her neck had been snapped and her head was completely twisted around backwards. She was sitting in her favorite roost, on an egg.
I determined at that moment that it was a person responsible. There just simply wasnt another explanation.
I am horrified someone could do this... WHY they would do this. Its absolutely unthinkable.
I secured the run with a padlock in hopes to deter further attacks but there has to be more I can do.
Has anyone dealt with something like this?
Does anyone know if there are legal actions that can be taken, should we catch the person?

 

[ShellyBear]

If someone could do this to a chicken I wouldn't leave my children at home with out an adult. I know it might be overdoing it but get some security cameras and try to catch who ever is doing this horrid thing. I know no animal that does that sort of killing so I believe this is being done by a person or I wouldn't even call them human.

 

[BBQJOE]

This is screwed up.

 

[am040608]

I am already an overprotective mama and I don't leave my children home alone without me. But now I'm definitely worried. I have been keeping my gun in the kitchen now in case I do see someone outside. I will not hesitate to protect my children.

 

[appps]

I would ring and speak to the police so there is something on record of somebody harassing you if you ever need them there in a hurry.

I second the get a camera set up. I would be very nervous too.

 

[Paganrose]

I agree- get a camera ASAP! also document the two chickens incidences that already happened!

 

[am040608]

I would ring and speak to the police so there is something on record of somebody harassing you if you ever need them there in a hurry.

I second the get a camera set up. I would be very nervous too.

I plan to do so this afternoon. Perhaps the sherrif knows of other incidents as well.

I just cant imagine why a person would do something like this.

 

[animalgrl]

Horrible! I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I agree, set up a camera, if you can. Also, file a police report. Perhaps there are animal cruelty laws in your state that would apply if a perpetrator is caught. Also, while it sounds gristly, if you really do think it is a person doing this, you might want to take photographs should any other chickens (hopefully none, now that your run is padlocked) meet a similar fate before you are able to figure out who, or what, is behind this. Hopefully all your chickens are safe. There was actually an article about this recently in Backyard Poultry Magazine. You might want to check their website to see if you can find it (I think it was called something like "When the predator is human"). It may have some advice you can use.

 

[am040608]

I agree- get a camera ASAP! also document the two chickens incidences that already happened!

I did take photos

 

[BBQJOE]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest it is a neighbor. Do you have noisy roosters?
The camera is a good idea.

Just remember you can't shoot someone for jacking with your chickens, unless you feel your life, or those of loved ones is in imminent danger.