What killed my Chickens?!?

[juaru5]

We are new to chicken keeping. Our 13 chickens pretty much have run of the 36 acres but generally stay within about 50 yards of their coop, mostly it seems, on our porch! No problems... til today. Came home around noon to find mass carnage - feathers everywhere. 3 dead bodies, 4 missing. I figure it must be Coyotes or the neighbors dog. The dog only arrived yesterday as it had been at their daughters house. Last night I saw him eyeing the chickens but he just walked away. Would coyotes leave carcasses? Could it have been something else?

I'm going to keep them penned until I can figure it out. The coyote theory scares me as I have young children who play outside. Of course, I'm not keen on the dog either, but I think I can handle that.

I would appreciate your opinions and advice.

 

[DraigAthar]

I would bet on the dog.

 

[hunt]

coyotes probrably wouldn't leave them behind if they did they probrably were going to come back.
from what you said it sounds like a dog was basicly just playing with them for fun.
but don't worry if it is coyotes they are more afraid of humans so your kids are fine.

 

[aprophet]

the 4 missing sounds like K-9s if you find them half buried close by could be cats as well may be a combo of fox and yotes