What in the world happened to this chicken? *Pictures*

[msiler]

We walked out to the coop today to find our white Easter Egger dead. There were no signs of struggle, but it did look like the work of a predator! Here are all the details and pictures so maybe we can figure out what it could have been...
NOTE: Please do not scroll if you are sensitive to graphic photos, THEY ARE INCLUDED!

- She was found about a foot away from our electrified chicken wire fence

- Her whole body is intact, but looks as if the skin and feathers around her neck were pulled up but not detached. It almost looks like she could have gotten her head stuck under something and pulled relentlessly to free herself, but when we found her, her head was not stuck, she was lying over the log you see in the upper right of the first photo below. There were very minimal loose feathers in the surrounding areas.

- The outside of the coop, directly in line with her body, seems to be scraped. There were no visible footprints.

- There are trees that could possibly be accessed that may lead over the top of the coop, but it seems unlikely...

Feel free to ask any questions!!!! I would really like to figure out what happened to better protect the rest of the flock!

Another view of the scratches:

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I might suspect a coon grabbed her through the fence, but just guessing.

 

[msiler]

I might suspect a coon grabbed her through the fence, but just guessing.

We were thinking this at first as well, but her head is large and it seemed like it would be stuck through the fence. Her body was found about two feet away from the fence.

 

[msiler]

If it helps, this happened in the daytime. Her body wasn't cold, but not warm like a recent death. Probably about an hour and a half old.

 

[RaineyTN]

I would guess somethin was tryin to pull the chicken through the wire from the outside and couldnt get it, then the bird got his head back through and died.

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry! I think it looks like a raccoons work. The scratches in the dirt might be from it getting frustrated with the electric fence.Raccoons do forage during the day.

 

[msiler]

I would guess somethin was tryin to pull the chicken through the wire from the outside and couldnt get it, then the bird got his head back through and died.

This could make sense.... I will have to go back out tomorrow and see if there were any signs of the wire being pulled. Would a chicken really just stand there while a raccoon snuck up on it?

So sorry! I think it looks like a raccoons work. The scratches in the dirt might be from it getting frustrated with the electric fence.Raccoons do forage during the day.

Thank you! I know we do have raccoons here! It is definitely the most likely possibility.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Oh my gosh, that is terrible!!! I'm in agreement with those who said racoon & it makes sense that the bird got away from it & flat out died from shock & the injuries.

If it happened during the day, you may want to set some traps, see who comes back (especially at night) & set up some trail cameras if that's a feasible option. We use frozen marshmallows to attract 'em. If the predators are emboldened enough for a daylight attack, then they'll likey be back...day or night. Unless they're dead.

Hope you catch whatever did this...and all of it's family, too. If you catch 1 or 2, DON'T STOP! KEEP TRAPPING UNTIL YOU DON'T CATCH ANYTHING...THEN BAIT 'EM UP SOME MORE. We're on # 17. We've NEVER had this many! And I don't know how many are out there roaming close or near by but I can guarantee you that it's X minus 17.

 

[centrarchid]

I bet you had a perpetrator that killed and ate, plus someone else that wanted to steal carcass and could not get in by digging.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Could a racoon sneak up on the chicken? If the chicken was caught unaware, sure. Chickens are curious creatures, so maybe the racoon was reaching thru & the chicken thought it had a treat. Heck, those rat ba**rds are smart enough to use actual treats if it could get that hand around a chicken neck.
It's speculation, of course, because there are no witnesses who can tell you for certain. But I think "racoon" is the right track.