What Predator Killed The Rooster?

[ChickenGirl555]

Two of my roosters escaped the run last night and I woke up to discover one running around awful quiet, and the other missing with his carcass unable to be found. I have 3 acres of clear grass-covered land, with my two neighbors' yards being separated by (one) a small forest, and (two) a string of pine trees. So, closer to my house and garage I found a neatly-shaped circle spread of feathers most definitely from my lost rooster. But the strange thing is that 4 more of these large, noticeable circle spreads of only down feathers were found in a line about a 3/4 acre further back in my yard. This 'crime scene' is so spread apart that I'm confused and concerned about what killed him. I had a rooster to spare so I'm more concerned about WHAT killed him than the fact it was HE who was killed. I've seen large owls, foxes, possums, skunks, and multiple hawk species in my yard or neighborhood, and this is the first predator attack we have had even though we started in 2017. I couldn't find/see any blood or the body, and I'm interested in what this could have been and if I should worry about its knowledge of my other chickens being close within the run/coop. If it's an owl, I have almost no worry since my coop/run is built strongly against them. A fox or possum could possibly sneak under the door although the rest of the run has chicken wire stuffed in the ground a foot deep.

I can't find anything talking about the different 'crime scenes' of certain predators, so I'd love if somebody could help out!

 

[sourland]

Something large enough to carry him away - the multiple areas of feathers may be where he was grabbed/dropped. I would guess fox, coyote, bobcat.

 

[Howard E]

I have a number of reference books on poultry husbandry, including several with references to predators. According to at least one author, the scene you describe with no carcass but several piles of feathers in a line is classic fox kill. Fox captures bird, leaves with it, stops periodically to shake it which is source of small feather piles. Keep following the line......and you may eventually find the remains of the carcass, the fox's den, or both.

If it is a fox, it will be back for the other one.

 

[3chickenman3]

That sounds very typical of a hawk or owl attack generally they leave little or no blood at kill site just a pile of feathers where they made the kill and then another pile of feathers where they carried the Chicken and ate it. Great horned owls are strong enough to carry of many chicken breeds and red tailed hawks may consume their kill on the ground if they can’t carry it away. I hope this helps.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Thanks so much for all the information!

I have a number of reference books on poultry husbandry, including several with references to predators.

I would love to know the titles of some of these books!

 

[hayley3]

That sounds very typical of a hawk or owl attack generally they leave little or no blood at kill site just a pile of feathers where they made the kill and then another pile of feathers where they carried the Chicken and ate it. Great horned owls are strong enough to carry of many chicken breeds and red tailed hawks may consume their kill on the ground if they can’t carry it away. I hope this helps.

A raptor plucks the bird in order to eat it. If they carried it off, they would pluck it there (at the location they took it to) not kill it, pluck it's feathers and then pick it up to take it for carry out.

 

[Farmer Brian]

If a fox can get under the door.....
Secure the weak spot before you lose them all.

 

[Folly's place]

Chickens at night are so vulnerable! It could have been anyone mentioned, and I'm glad your other bird survived.
Make sure your run and coop are secure!
Mary

 

[cmom]

I'm curious if the OP ever discovered what killed her bird.