What predator did this?

[Wolfefarmyard]

A few of my beloved hens went missing 2 days ago, because my dog spooked them. 2 of the hens came back yesterday but the rest are still missing. This morning when I went outside, I saw feathers galore and one of my missing hens body. Her mouth was bloody and her back was ripped, I also spotted a few deep cuts. I’m wondering what could have done this? Here are some pictures including the lacerations I’m talking about. Any ideas are appreciated!

 

[aart]

I'll guess bird of prey...owl.
Must have gotten spooked off it's meal.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I'll guess bird of prey...owl.
Must have gotten spooked off it's meal.

That’s what I was thinking too because I don’t know what else would have made those type of lacerations. But it’s surprising because she was a very big bird, so she was one of the last ones I would think a bird of prey would go after.

 

[aart]

That’s what I was thinking too because I don’t know what else would have made those type of lacerations. But it’s surprising because she was a very big bird, so she was one of the last ones I would think a bird of prey would go after.

Right, and no saliva slime that a mammal would likely leave.
Great Horned Owls are pretty darn big.

 

[centrarchid]

Where is head and neck? Anything else eaten we can not see in image? If owl, then it likely got full eating just that, but will come back tonight about same time.

I would leave carcass in place and attempt to ID predator when it comes back tonight. Leaving carcass out will buy you time until shoring up housing.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I agree with @aart. It looks like an owl

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Where is head and neck? Anything else eaten we can not see in image? If owl, then it likely got full eating just that, but will come back tonight about same time.

I would leave carcass in place and attempt to ID predator when it comes back tonight. Leaving carcass out will buy you time until shoring up housing.

No, those were the only spots that had any marks. She did have some blood by her neck but I couldn’t find where it was coming from.

I moved her body into the woods since she was laying in our front yard.

 

[centrarchid]

Can you leave the carcass out in same location?

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Can you leave the carcass out in same location?

Unfortunately I can’t since she was directly in our front yard. I think it would upset the kids to see her and probably the fedex guys too

 

[centrarchid]

Unfortunately I can’t since she was directly in our front yard. I think it would upset the kids to see her and probably the fedex guys too

For my kids it is a learning experience. Many times I take my now 7-year old out to see aftermath or help study the predator and help beef up defenses. He and his 5-year old sister even help do postmortems.

I would not worry about delivery folks. Tell neighbors what you are doing. Will get a good conversation going. We do all sorts of fun putting out game cameras to annoy BYC folks.