What kind of predator?? (graphic images)

[Noobchick]

Hubby and I bought a farm a couple months ago, not intending to get any animals until we finished renovation on the house. But surprise!! The previous owner left about 30 chickens, all but 12 of which we re-homed. The previous owner had so many chickens that the ramshackle coop she had up couldn't fit them all, so the overflow chickens got used to roosting in trees and bushes. The farm is 30 minutes away from our current house- I go up once a day, but can't make the trip twice a day to let them in and out of the coop, even assuming that I can train them to use it.

Over the last few days, we've lost two chickens. The first one is pictured. One has gone missing today- I'm halfway expecting to find her carcass somewhere tomorrow.

The one pictured went missing one day, and was found ripped apart the next day.

I have several questions:

1. What kind of predator am I dealing with? Coyote? Fox? What would eat the neck and wings like that?

2.Given that I can't be there as much as I'd like, what can I do to try to prevent more attacks? I can't just stand by and let this thing pick off the farm birds one by one. Besides the losses, I don't want a predator thinking my farm is a fast food restaurant.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I have read about battery-operated coop door openers (automatic door openers) for sale. That might be helpful for protecting the ones who go into the coop at night. Of course they also sell the electric ones but I was thinking maybe you don't have electric out there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/451925/auto-coop-door-opener-kit

 

[americana-lover]

i would say a small fox or young coyote. Something that is small enough that would not take the chicken with them. Ive heard stories of raccoons attacking chickens, along with possums.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

...The one pictured went missing one day, and was found ripped apart the next day.

I have several questions:

1. What kind of predator am I dealing with? Coyote? Fox? What would eat the neck and wings like that?

2.Given that I can't be there as much as I'd like, what can I do to try to prevent more attacks? I can't just stand by and let this thing pick off the farm birds one by one. Besides the losses, I don't want a predator thinking my farm is a fast food restaurant."

A fox or coyote will carry off the body & dine @ leisure.

Other K9s like a dog will usually stow chicken feathers & bits of poultry DNA over a large area, by playing with the victim or worrying the body.

Mink and other members of the weasel family may also eat the head etc but that is likely all they will consume. Also the flesh in the area that was consumer will have a tattered or shredded look from tiny needle like teeth. Mink and weasels are also loners and there is too much meat missing for a lone mink to eat, even a big one.

Opossums and some raccoons will eat the innards first, often leaving an empty shell or hull of a chicken that looks like it is sleeping.

My best guess is that you have a pair of great horned owls that have mistaken your poultry yard for a Chick-Fil A.

Don't worry, if it is owls you will have plenty more evidence because they will be back, and back again, and back some more until there are no chickens available for them to catch or else you take other actions.

An owl will land in a nearby tree or on top of a fence post. He then chooses his next meal. Next he lands on the same limb as the target. The owl will then push the chosen chicken to the end of the limb tearing at her with his beak. When the owl succeeds in forcing her off her perch the owl will follow her down and sink his or her talons in the hen's back or neck and then slowly throttle her to death. Once you hear an owl killing a hen you will never forget that sound. It is only accidental if an owl makes a quick kill by piercing a major artery or the brain, which BTW on a chicken is a very very small target.

Besides, this time of year is perfect for a pair of migratory great horned owls looking to change their diet from voles and lemmings to settle in for the winter in the Tar Heel state, and since the winter soltice is past, they will likely remain right where they are till spring.

 

[Noobchick]

We lost another one today. This is getting d**n old.

Chickengeorgeto: thank you for your reply. After doing some research, I think you're right. And I now KNOW i heard an owl hooting. Thank you very much!

 

[grokie18]

If i'm not mistaking that should be a raccoon i have had the same probly with them before.

 

[Azriel]

I agree with Chickengeorgrto, if it is happening at night it is most likley an owl, if it is during the day then a hawk or eagle. If you can try to lock your birds up for a few days, If there is no food for them for a few days then they will move on to better hunting,