What ate my pheasant?
He roosts on top of the coop, which is fully enclosed by 2x4 welded wire fencing with 2x2 nylon aviary netting over the top. I found his body in the morning, from the feathers looks like he led it on a chase all around the run before it finally got him. The rest of the run is intact, no holes under the fence, no breaks in the fence etc.
It's not impossible my other birds pecked at the carcass in the morning before I got there, but they seemed to be leaving alone, so I believe the attached photo is what the predator left.
I found a loose spot in one section of the netting over the roof, that would be a snug but possible fit for a coon or possum. I have also had mink in the area. Neither of these three seem consistent with the carcass though from what I've read?
Head is detached and to the top left. Most of innards were eaten, most of the bird looks to have been skinned. Crop was pulled away to the lower right but not eaten. No tracks to speak of, hard ground right now.
Thoughts?
He roosts on top of the coop, which is fully enclosed by 2x4 welded wire fencing with 2x2 nylon aviary netting over the top. I found his body in the morning, from the feathers looks like he led it on a chase all around the run before it finally got him. The rest of the run is intact, no holes under the fence, no breaks in the fence etc.
It's not impossible my other birds pecked at the carcass in the morning before I got there, but they seemed to be leaving alone, so I believe the attached photo is what the predator left.
I found a loose spot in one section of the netting over the roof, that would be a snug but possible fit for a coon or possum. I have also had mink in the area. Neither of these three seem consistent with the carcass though from what I've read?
Head is detached and to the top left. Most of innards were eaten, most of the bird looks to have been skinned. Crop was pulled away to the lower right but not eaten. No tracks to speak of, hard ground right now.
Thoughts?
