What killed my chicken?

Jportie · Jun 26, 2021

barn007us said:
Last night, I returned home to find one of my four chickens dead in my backyard. Something had attacked the chicken and left it dead where it lay in a pile of feathers.

I examined the deceased chicken to determine what preadetor caused the death, but I am now more confused.

1. The chicken had two dime/quarter size holes on its back behind the shoulders, slightly under the left wing.
2. There was no blood, anywhere, even around the puncture wounds, or on the ground in the yard. The chicken was still warm, but there is no blood in the body.
3. The neck was broken.

Furthermore;

4. The yard is basically impenetrable for a dog.
5. I have seen raccoons in the neighborhood, but they have not caused a problem in the past 6 months.

Can anyone help me determine what kind of animal may have killed my chicken?

Rat snake, just had the same thing happen. I killed the snake. The rest of the above answers dog, weasel are all wrong

cmom · Jun 27, 2021

Jportie said:
Rat snake, just had the same thing happen. I killed the snake. The rest of the above answers dog, weasel are all wrong

and also to the older members including the OP who hadn't posted previously. My suggestion would be to put up a camera if you have one. The predator will be back and has probably been lurking looking for an opportunity. It could have been most any predator. I have several game cameras and see predators on them every night here when they roam the most. Lately I've been seeing a fox every night on at least one of my cameras. I have several cameras around on my property most are pointed towards my coops. I love my cameras. Good luck...