Raccoons will indeed reach through the fence, grab a chicken by the head, drag the head through the fencing and bite off the heads. Especially young birds that are still small and like to lie close to the wire on the ground.
That happened to our next door neighbor who had birds in a chicken wire grow out pen. Safer to use hardware cloth than take a chance. There is always a first time for everything when it comes to predator attacks.
@CapricornFarm. You realize don't you that you are vicariously supporting my desire for goats from a safe distance, don't you?
That little buckling is adorable.