What kills a chicken and takes it up a tree?

[centrarchid]

Great-horned owls can drag a fully adult 6-lb Dominique hen over ground at least one hundred feet and up a tree trunk (personal observation). Once carcass weight is down to about 2 lbs the owl can then launch from tree or fence post and fly at least down slope. This can be repeated to get carcass to were mate or chicks can get to it as well.

 

[swamperkk]

Quote:
its got to be a bobcat,that is the only thing come to mind,too bad you dont have a game camera,i have a hot wire around the bottom of my chicken pen,dog,cat,racoon or any thing wants to mess with my chickens at night will get a supprise shock,inculding big rats

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Great-horned owls can drag a fully adult 6-lb Dominique hen over ground at least one hundred feet and up a tree trunk (personal observation). Once carcass weight is down to about 2 lbs the owl can then launch from tree or fence post and fly at least down slope. This can be repeated to get carcass to were mate or chicks can get to it as well.

This is true. Besides the parent owls (or hawks) can make multiple grocery runs from the location of the kill to their nursery.