Something killed my Chicken ****WARNING GRAPHIC****

[Amigatec]

Something has killed a Chicken, and I have one missing.

Here is what's left of the head, the beak is still there.

The Head, neck and Crop are missing.

And I found feathers next to the fence 3 or 4 feet from the bird. I am thinking it is an Owl.

 

[woodmort]

Having seen it before--I'd guess a coon, with an outside chance if it being a possum. They like to go for the food in the crop as well. An owl would have eaten flesh not just the crop.

 

[drafthorse39]

Looks like a bird of prey to me. Sorry for your loss

 

[Amigatec]

The chicken was inside the fenced yard and several feet from the fence. I didn't see any digging anywhere, but I do have a tree close so whatever it was could have climbed over.

 

[crj]

Probably a racoon. They usually just take the head off and leave the body. Don't know why, they just do. Sorry you lost a bird.

 

[CMV]

That is classic raptor work. Sorry for your loss.

 

[centrarchid]

Are talon marks evident on body, especially the back?

 

[CathyRN]

what time was it? was it during the day, or at night? If day....really aggressive red tailed hawk. Night......coon, opossum, or most likely owl. I am so sorry for your loss.....so sad to loose one of your precious girls...

 

[Amigatec]

I had one missing last night in the coop and didn't find this one untilk I got home from work. I let them out at 5:00 am when I leave.

 

[centrarchid]

Daylight loss seems like hawk. Why would hawk eat contents of crop. Head and neck being picked free of muscle typical of raptor.