What took my hens?????!!!!!!

[Trish1974]

I was really hoping the manner of the kill would help shed some light. One bird at a time and they were completely gone. No traces other than feather piles. My girl today must have gotten free and run away and been attacked in multiple places around the run because there were several piles of feathers found. And one pile inside the run indicating it started inside. The one I lost a week ago I found only one pile of feathers outside the run, but the one I lost today was much faster and feistier. Also, my two smaller birds were the victims. I have 6 larger girls in there that are still intact. Now under lockdown until I get some answers and fix some problems!!

This post makes me lean more towards fox...

 

[Duckstail]

Was the feathers kind of in the circle? Thats how birds of prey eat

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

The trail camera should answer the question. Keep us updated. I'm guessing possum.

 

[jaimedes]

Was the feathers kind of in the circle? Thats how birds of prey eat

They were in a round sort of circle but not hollow in the center like a bullseye. Which was would hawks do it? Solid circular pattern or hollowed out like a bullseye? Our first thought was hawk since it seems it came through the top with some weight and only the smaller girls have been victims. But I’m open to all thoughts

 

[jaimedes]

The trail camera should answer the question. Keep us updated. I'm guessing possum.

A possum will kill and take away an adult hen? We do have those in the area, but we’ve also seen fox in our yard in the past. Not recently. We are in a suburban area with developments on two sides of our acreage.

 

[Sofia Salazar]

I’m very sorry about your lost I don’t think it was a fox. A fox would have made a lot more damage. About a month ago, a fox killed five out eight hens i had. They were large English breed. They would kill them and burry or hide whatever they can’t finish for later. I hate them with passion. The fox keeps coming back almost every day but I don’t let them out alone anymore

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

A possum will kill and take away an adult hen? We do have those in the area, but we’ve also seen fox in our yard in the past. Not recently. We are in a suburban area with developments on two sides of our acreage.

Possums are ravenous predators, and yes they will take an adult hen. They are relentless once they find a food source. I would set a live catch trap baited with a can of sardines. If it is a possum or a raccoon you will probably catch it the first night. Once you have caught it, I would suggest dispatching it. Relocating is just passing the problem off to someone else, and if you don't take them far enough they will find their way back.

 

[Duckstail]

They were in a round sort of circle but not hollow in the center like a bullseye. Which was would hawks do it? Solid circular pattern or hollowed out like a bullseye? Our first thought was hawk since it seems it came through the top with some weight and only the smaller girls have been victims. But I’m open to all thoughts

The specifics as far as Bulls eye or not bull's-eyes really doesn't matter because each bird is somewhat different but if it is in a circular pattern it is most likely a bird of prey! A lot of fluffy feathers?

 

[Duckstail]

Also what time ish did this happen? Racoons and roxes prefer night early morninv hunting. As where a hawk hunts during the day

 

[AnimalGeek23]

It’s probably either a raccoon or a fox. Coons are super smart with this kinda stuff. They could easily get your poor hens. But a fox is more of a better hunter, and the way that your hens’ feathers were left in the run would probably be the fox’s hunting skills. Either way, I suggest you try to lock the run and coop securely and add a more secure roof. Hope this helps!