***Warning graphic photos*** what predator would do this?

[Madison1]

Basically my meat chickens are being bitten from behind around the tail/vent area. Those that survive often have intestines protruding like this poor chick. A few of the dead have no internal organs remaining. I have had chickens since I was a child but have never seen this. I would suspect a weasel but there's no bite to the neck or head area. Any ideas? All deaths have been in the coop.

 

[countrygirl345]

It seems like something a dog would do; our neighbor had a very similar problem and that's what it was. However, since it was it the coop, I really have no idea. If you call your local DNR they will be able to tell what it was based on your description.

 

[Toddrick]

This post indicates weasel family:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/18670/poultry-predator-identification

"Birds bitten around the rear end, and have their intestines pulled out, have been attacked by a weasel or one of its relatives."

 

[Madison1]

To clarify the ones with intestines and organs eaten had about a 2" maybe less opening at the tail/vent area. The body cavity wasn't opened beyond that. No other marks anywhere on the chicken

 

[Madison1]

Thanks toddrick. I'll try setting traps for weasels. My only doubts is the absence of the usual neck/head wound that indicates a weasel kill. Hopefully we find a dead weasel in the morning instead of more dead chickens!

 

[curtisbirds]

I've seen ferral cats do that. When I was a kid, I remember going in the coop to discover a similar scene. My uncle placed out baited live traps and that's what he caught. He destroyed the cat, it seemed to have also been diseased, he loved cats. And we no longer had the problem. He destroyed all the birds with slightest injuries, because he believed cat was diseased.

 

[quail arizona]

Chupacabra