What kind of predator would do this?

[MountainOrchard]

I woke up this morning to a bloodbath in the chicken run. I already lost 11 of my 14 hens to fox attacks this spring while free ranging so I have been keeping the remaining 3 locked up in their run. Last night/this morning something pried back the hardware cloth under the run door, dug its way in, and killed 2 chickens. One carcass was left headless in the run and the other was completely gone except for feathers and bits of bone. Of course my first thought was fox, but could a fox fit into that little opening (about 3x6")? And would it leave anything behind? Raccoon?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Raccoon.

 

[MountainOrchard]

Thanks ChickenCanoe! That's what I thought too... But then set up my game camera and got this!

I am going to try to trap it and in the meantime keeping my one remaining hen locked up!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Coons are eat and run artists. Foxes or coyotes will always dine in leisure at almost any place except where they made the kill.

I forgot to add that foxes have pups now so they will be very active in your chicken yard over the next few months.