Something just took my hen

[krthaymp]

Inside and heard the rooster and hens start up and ran out to find one of the hens scrabbling with something at the back of the yard by the fence line. By the time I got down there it was gone. Whatever took her must have cleared the fence with her and only left behind a handful of feathers. I thought it was a hawk but all I saw was the blur. I don’t know if it was a fox, seemed too small, but what else could have carried her off?
I tried to chase them down through the woods but it was too thick and I’m not very steady in my feet to begin with and kept falling and getting tangled.
I didn’t hear any noise from her so she was probably already dead by the time I reached the back.
Could a raccoon or opossum carry her off? A weasel? It’s still broad daylight!
I’m so mad, I was out there with them with the dogs not 10 minutes before.
Everyone is up now but I’m afraid whatever it was will be back and try to get into the coop tonight or another night.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Fox, maybe? Do you have foxes?

 

[Project Blue]

My first guess would be a dog. If you had your dogs out just a few minutes before I doubt a fox would be lingering about. It's probably an animal your dogs are very familiar with or....you have really city dogs that are unaware of their surroundings. Any working, hunting breed worth his salt would be acutely aware of a fox, raccoon or the like in the vicinity. Go look in you neighbor's yard.

 

[McChooky]

I agree.The dogs were likely more interested in going inside (sounds like a young dog)Foxes will watch them a while before they grab one and like to do it when you're gone or inside.If your coop is secure they'll be safe locked up.Whatever it was will be back.

 

[Callender Girl]

Another option could be a coyote. Coyotes are incredibly smart. As soon as you and the dogs were out of the way, a coyote would realize it had a great opportunity.

My experience is that they can slip through a barbed wire fence with ease and just as easily leap over woven 4-foot fencing or cattle panels.

Predators always come back to the site of an easy meal. Please keep your hens locked up and safe! I am sorry for the loss of your girl.