What predator leaves a pile of feathers?

[BastyPutt]

Very sad. Sorry for your loss.

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

When your pullet was attacked, its own fight or flight response includes dropping feathers.

The predator is either an emboldened wild cat or domestic cat, or possibly an overhead predator like a hawk or falcon.

 

[LegbarMama]

When your pullet was attacked, its own fight or flight response includes dropping feathers.

The predator is either an emboldened wild cat or domestic cat, or possibly an overhead predator like a hawk or falcon.

I didn't know they will drop feathers. That's interesting. There are a few neighbor cats that always hang around but I've never seen them mess with the chickens. I'm keeping a close eye on them now and not letting the pullets out while I'm not outside.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I didn't know they will drop feathers. That's interesting. There are a few neighbor cats that always hang around but I've never seen them mess with the chickens. I'm keeping a close eye on them now and not letting the pullets out while I'm not outside.

Dropping a few feathers is very different than a pile or trail of feathers. Especially if the latter has flight or down feathers

 

[Yardmom]

A domestic cat is very unlikely to kill a chicken. If they would they would not eat the whole bird.
We have a fox den near us. (We see kits on the road every year). We frequently see fox in the yard during the day, and unfortunately lose birds to them. Sometimes the spot where the bird was snatched and where it was eaten are only a short distance apart. Eating the whole bird makes it likely to be a larger wild predator such as a fox.

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

I didn't know they will drop feathers. That's interesting. There are a few neighbor cats that always hang around but I've never seen them mess with the chickens. I'm keeping a close eye on them now and not letting the pullets out while I'm not outside.

Think of all the quality time you will spend with them!

 

[LegbarMama]

A domestic cat is very unlikely to kill a chicken. If they would they would not eat the whole bird.
We have a fox den near us. (We see kits on the road every year). We frequently see fox in the yard during the day, and unfortunately lose birds to them. Sometimes the spot where the bird was snatched and where it was eaten are only a short distance apart. Eating the whole bird makes it likely to be a larger wild predator such as a fox.

I have never seen them in our area. Could be around tho, and possibly bobcats too. I love to let my birds free range. It seems like they're much happier that way.

 

[LegbarMama]

Think of all the quality time you will spend with them!

I don't mind that at all! I'm trying to turn them into lap chickens lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

My money is on a hawk.

 

[LegbarMama]

I just can't believe they didn't take the chicken to another location and my rooster didn't chase it off