takes the body but leaves the head?

[bantamrooster]

Red Fox is my first suggestion. With larger victims they will decapitate to kill it. Then run off with the balance of carcass.

I was kinda thinking a fox but hadnt heard of them taking the head off before.
They were about 2/3 grown so decent size. Whatever it was it looked like they took the head off pretty quickly and cleanly. With no feathers or anything doesnt seem like there was much of a struggle going on.

 

[bantamrooster]

sounds like racoon. Do you have large rats in your area? Rats are another suspect.

I have seen a rat or two but they were close to the barn which is were we have broodies with chicks and chicks growing out. Havent lost any of them.
Thinking if it was rats they would of picked off those chicks.

 

[bantamrooster]

Have also heard it could be owls but i dont know much about how they operate.
Also coyotes in our area but i dont think they could come and go without dogs knowing and would figure they would of taken whole bird away.

 

[centrarchid]

Have also heard it could be owls but i dont know much about how they operate.
Also coyotes in our area but i dont think they could come and go without dogs knowing and would figure they would of taken whole bird away.

Owls do the reverse of what you see. Kill made. Head and neck consumed first. Lower down consumed with subsequent feedings until carcass is light enough to be moved.

 

[Itschloe238]

I think it would be a fox. We have foxes around my area and when they kill a few of my chickens they left the head behind.