What killed the chicken?

[famerzellman]

this morning I went to let out my ladies and noticed one dead BIG hen in the yard (3 years old heavy hen). I coop up the ladies every night and I check around to make sure I didn’t miss any (they free range) Well last night I missed her, and something found her. It looks like it was a chase around the yard Until whatever it was got her. She was missing all the feathers from her vent and it ate out her butt. I also notice two puncture wound on her head. It was so sad !! I am totally baffled what would of done this! If anyone could help that would be great so I know what to trap for!
Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Could you find any scat or footprints? Those can be good clues.

By it eating her butt first, my first guess would be possum. I'v had pretty good luck catching them with peanut butter.

 

[DaWookie]

If your more for active removal, possums will generally hesitate and stop if you put a really bright light right on them, you can then use whatever tool for removal. A headlamp and rifle usually works fine. If it does run, wait 10 minutes and it will probably be back. They favor the end of dusk and the early night but will be out all night.

 

[famerzellman]

Could you find any scat or footprints? Those can be good clues.

By it eating her butt first, my first guess would be possum. I'v had pretty good luck catching them with peanut butter.

I did find some scat it smelled horrid as soon as you got close to where the poop was and looked like cat poop but bigger with maybe some seeds and hair in it.

 

[famerzellman]

If your more for active removal, possums will generally hesitate and stop if you put a really bright light right on them, you can then use whatever tool for removal. A headlamp and rifle usually works fine. If it does run, wait 10 minutes and it will probably be back. They favor the end of dusk and the early night but will be out all night.

Thank you so much!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I did find some scat it smelled horrid as soon as you got close to where the poop was and looked like cat poop but bigger with maybe some seeds and hair in it.

Sounds like possum. Do an online search for possum scat, you should be able to find pictures.

They can move surprisingly fast but often will play dead. I've used a shovel on them to make sure they are really dead. Usually they are not. I prefer a shotgun as opposed to a rifle, especially at night. At night it can be hard to know what is downrange and a shotgun has less range than a rifle. And I use open sights. At night it can be challenging to get a good bead.

 

[StevenW]

possum......

 

[adickenscoop]

Have you tried using the poultry predator identifier tool? http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php It might be helpful for you in identifying the predator...