takes the body but leaves the head?

[bantamrooster]

What predator takes the body but leaves just the head behind?
Happened twice now overnight.
We are out in the country so could be about anything.

 

[BabyandCotton]

I remember reading a autobiography where it says that dogs hate eating the heads of chickens. It also could have been a racoon, coyote or fox. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[bantamrooster]

Couldnt be a dog. We have two and they dont let any others get close to our house without letting us know.

 

[BabyandCotton]

Couldnt be a dog. We have two and they dont let any others get close to our house without letting us know.

was the head by a fence line or large tree, or even a structure? If so probably racoon.

 

[islandgirl82]

I would say raccoon. Dogs don't usually kill because they're hungry, they kill because they're bored and have instincts to chase and catch things that run. They wouldn't typically eat the birds, just leave them where they died and move on to a new one. It's a game to them.

 

[BabyandCotton]

Fox or racoon. If there is two, maybe a fox with kits.

 

[islandgirl82]

A fox would take the whole thing to it's den or cache. You'd find feathers left behind and not much else.

 

[bantamrooster]

No blood no feathers nothing left behind but the head with half the neck.
First one was in backyard open area about 20 foot from back door.
Second one was 5 foot from back door right on our patio.
First was a 4 month old pullet. Second was a 4 month old duck.

 

[BabyandCotton]

No blood no feathers nothing left behind but the head with half the neck.
First one was in backyard open area about 20 foot from back door.
Second one was 5 foot from back door right on our patio.
First was a 4 month old pullet. Second was a 4 month old duck.

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

 

[centrarchid]

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