what takes heads off chickens? Warning Graphic info. no pics

[LearninMyFlock]

So we found a chicken mostly eaten with a bit of backbone and feathers still attached. Some innards and possibly the heart left. Found a chicken head. Found another chicken killed but not eaten, just decapitated, head still there Not mauled at all just beheaded. Some feathers from some other chickens left behind. No other chickens seemed to be hurt. What could have done this? Didn't know of any predators so allowed them to sleep in the trees. Didn't have issues last year. Now it's inside every night and a more secure build gonna be taking place!!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I always figure it makes not much difference which predator kills them. It will be back. Probably a coon or two, but it could be almost anything that climbs. Good luck with securing your coop and sorry for your loss!

 

[Lavendise]

My German Shepherd Dog has been known to remove heads in mere seconds. I imagine any other wild critter could do it also.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I agree with @CapricornFarm . I don't know a lot about predators but chances are it's smart enough to know that it might get an easy meal again. Are your birds free-ranged? If so, I would confine them to the coop until you find out what it is and can trap it. Good luck, so sorry about your loss!

 

[LearninMyFlock]

They were free range but not any more ! !!! I can't find any info on what removes heads. The one had the head laying right there with the whole chicken. The heads weren't eaten nor mauled! Really weird! I hope to find more info and stop this!!! Thanks to all for your replies! They all got put in overnight. ... now I'm hoping the evil critter doesn't get inside!!!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

They were free range but not any more ! !!! I can't find any info on what removes heads. The one had the head laying right there with the whole chicken. The heads weren't eaten nor mauled! Really weird! I hope to find more info and stop this!!! Thanks to all for your replies! They all got put in overnight. ... now I'm hoping the evil critter doesn't get inside!!!

I hope you figure out the issue! Whenever you can I'd check for holes under coop walls to see if any animal could get in

 

[chickengeorgeto]

So we found a chicken mostly eaten with a bit of backbone and feathers still attached. Some innards and possibly the heart left. Found a chicken head. Found another chicken killed but not eaten, just decapitated, head still there Not mauled at all just beheaded. Some feathers from some other chickens left behind. No other chickens seemed to be hurt. What could have done this? Didn't know of any predators so allowed them to sleep in the trees. Didn't have issues last year. Now it's inside every night and a more secure build gonna be taking place!!!

Raptor of some sort. Information needed about age and size of victim plus the distribution of lose feathers and time of day attack happened, but the head and neck is often the first part of the bird to come into contact with a predators' mouth so a beheaded chicken is not necessarily a good indicator of the species of predator.

For instance a great horned owl will often eat the head first then continue down the body.
While a K9 may grab the bird by its neck and shake for all it's worth also severing the head.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I always figure it makes not much difference which predator kills them. It will be back.

Youre right it will probably be back.
I see you point but I think it matters greatly what did it .
A lot easier to take care of a predator problem when you know what you're dealing with.
I had a similar issue with heads being removed and wasnt sure what was doing it. Most everyone said coons. I spent a week on coon defense and lost a few more birds. Turned out it was a great horned owl. Solved the problem but wasted a lot of time and effort and a few birds lives hunting the wrong thing.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

I always figure it makes not much difference which predator kills them. It will be back. Probably a coon or two, but it could be almost anything that climbs. Good luck with securing your coop and sorry for your loss!

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

So we found a chicken mostly eaten with a bit of backbone and feathers still attached. Some innards and possibly the heart left. Found a chicken head. Found another chicken killed but not eaten, just decapitated, head still there Not mauled at all just beheaded. Some feathers from some other chickens left behind. No other chickens seemed to be hurt. What could have done this? Didn't know of any predators so allowed them to sleep in the trees. Didn't have issues last year. Now it's inside every night and a more secure build gonna be taking place!!!

It is either a coon or a Weasel.