What ate a hole into my chickens crop (and left her alive and “normal”)?

[Samblast]

My 5 year old barred rock hazel was found last night on her normal roost. She was acting completely normal but i always like to pet them because it’s nice. I discovered a wound on her below he neck into her crop! No blood anywhere but I later found clumps of feathers like something grabbed her in 2 separate spots around my run. What could’ve done this? What could’ve bitten or ripped through to her crop but not inflict more damage? She is recovering right now and I hope she pulls through as she is one of my favorites.

On a side note she has been incredibly innocent about this and did not realize that there was a hole in her.

 

[aart]

Sharp wire sticking out somewhere?
Rodent, rat or squirrel?
Are the crop contents coming out?
Pics of the wound might help here.

 

[Samblast]

That was the wound. Both layers (skin and crop) are now patched up as I noticed and addressed the wound last night. Not a wire. It happened near a fence and there were feathers (a lot) from where you see she is bald now. Crop was empty when I got to her.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Rat up on the roost would do it.

 

[Loving my girls]

I probably agree with Al Gerhart on this but I’ve never seen or heard of it before.

The size looks about right.

I would probably watch her REALLY carefully for signs of infection and wash it thoroughly. Also cover it to keep it clean or even put her in a cage as if broody for a week. Rats are nasty little s*ds and carry numerous nasty diseases.

Then, if possible, put up a camera to check for infestation.

Hugz to you and your poorly girl