Thoughts on what got to one chicken?

[birdwrangler057]

dogs also work, if you own a larger dog, and feel comfortable letting it sleep outside it will deter predators.

 

[kris13]

Husband already planned on carrying tomorrow while working on fortifying their run. I mean, we like all the chickens, but he has a favorite (wasn't this one) and said if it'd been his favorite, he'd be out hunting tonight. Stupid 'coons. Sadly was the favorite of one of the girls. I wish I'd had some feeling something was up, poor thing had to find her favorite chicken like this.

 

[birdwrangler057]

 

[birdwrangler057]

A good fortification is mesh on the run bottom or a 2 x 6 outlining the underground perimeter.

 

[kris13]

Yup. They love to go check for eggs so thought nothing of it and came back in tears.

 

[birdwrangler057]

Good luck with your chickens, hope you catch the rodent!

 

[aart]

Hard to say what it was.....could have been bird of prey, hawk or owl.
They will follow prey into cover to pursue a meal, only kill one at a time, and eat where it kills rather than remove carcass to another location.

 

[birdwrangler057]

True, but raccoons tend to kill for sport and tear open the hen.

 

[kris13]

And the fact the head was gone. (Guess he was trying to be nice last night and say it was "pretty much gone" to soften the details)

 

[birdwrangler057]

Yes, if the head was taken, it was definitely a medium sized mammal such as a raccoon, weasel, or possum.