What Did This?!?!?

[proudmommie31]

For the first time in 2 years we had a predator attack. Completely my fault, I keep the coop doors open about 6-8 inches during the day (just enough for a hen to walk through). I completely forgot to shut them the other night. The next day I got up and went out to feed them and found feathers, and a spot of blood. I followed the feather trail, with increasing amounts of feathers, out into the field. And found two different areas of LOTS of feathers, the final one with a headless, gutless chicken laying among them. A area of about 10 feet by 5 feet was knocked over in the soy bean field so it was a heck of a fight. Yes, I have diligently shut the door since (I had grown lax since we'd never had a issue) and we went out and fenced around it with 5 foot welded wire just for another layer of protection. (the coop itself has all openings covered with 1/2 inch hardware cloth). I have a live trap set since I have no clue what it was but have caught nothing the last few days. What can go in and carry a large chicken back out a 6 -8 inch opening, (and figure out how to climb 4 feet up, I'm assuming by climbing the hardware cloth, theres nothing else to climb) and then wage a battle out in the field just to eat the head and insides???

 

[PattyNH]

So sorry for your loss! Not sure... Racoon? They will often ear the heads. It happened to 2 of my hens this summer. I found 1 with no head and never found the second hen at all. How big is your trap? A game cam could help identify the predator as it will almost surely be back....

 

[proudmommie31]

Its a large one. I don't know the exact measurements but Its at least 3 feet long and a foot or so high. My husband said the same thing about a camera. The coop is so close to the house I didn't imagine needing one until now.

 

[PattyNH]

I hear ya. Our coop is about 8 feet from the house. We had a weasel attack one of our hens last week. Thankfully I was woken up and got outside in time to grab her and put her in the coop. I had gotten complacent about it because they have often been out all night with no issues. The only reason I "know" it was a weasel is because my sister said she saw it and it was about the size of a big squirrel but much darker. I have sense gotten a trap but no luck catching anything.

 

[DesertBird]

Sounds like a raccoon to me based on what was eaten; sorry for your loss.

 

[proudmommie31]

I hear ya. Our coop is about 8 feet from the house. We had a weasel attack one of our hens last week. Thankfully I was woken up and got outside in time to grab her and put her in the coop. I had gotten complacent about it because they have often been out all night with no issues. The only reason I "know" it was a weasel is because my sister said she saw it and it was about the size of a big squirrel but much darker. I have sense gotten a trap but no luck catching anything.

Yeah same here. They've had the coop doors open all night before, no issue. I thought since there wasn't anything to climb (not thinking the hardwire cloth could be climbed) I didn't have anything to worry about until they started laying eggs and then only if I missed gathering one. I wont make that mistake again!

 

[WthrLady]

Agree. Raccoon.

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Sounds just like a raccoon hun...so sorry

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If the predator ate the guts through the body wall, then you likely have a chicken eating possum. Where you found the body is where the possum finally overcame your hen. Possums are very inefficient killers and their teeth are not up to eating muscles so they tend to eat the softer or more tender internal organs more commonly called guts. You may have noticed this if you carefully study the crime scene.

 

[proudmommie31]

If the predator ate the guts through the body wall, then you likely have a chicken eating possum. Where you found the body is where the possum finally overcame your hen. Possums are very inefficient killers and their teeth are not up to eating muscles so they tend to eat the softer or more tender internal organs more commonly called guts. You may have noticed this if you carefully study the crime scene.

It ate the insides through the vent. But the body itself was unharmed, head missing, body fully intact and the insides mostly hallowed out from the vent area. You could see right into the chicken cavity from where the vent should have been.