What would do this.. [Pics added - VERY GRAPHIC]

[mrszlopez]

I found one of my free range White Rock Hens' feathers in about 5 different bloody piles this morning. No body, just feathers with meat & blood & her head. Whatever it was, took her back into the wood pile where the trail of feathers led into. What predator would do this ? We live in NJ.

Update: I found her body.. there wasnt a single piece of meat left on it. i found it exactly the way it is in the pics. it was basically a bloody skeleton. it was on top of a large log not to far from where we found her head & the feathers.. We still dont know what did this. We were thinking maybe a hawk, but after finding the body- i highly doubt it. Im thinking maybe a fox or racoon... you be the judge


The pile of feathers by the wood pile

The Carcass

 

[chickensioux]

Fox, raccoon, skunk, bobcat, coyote....sorry for your loss.

 

[mrszlopez]

Thank you. Im just wondering what it is because i have a feeling it is still in that woodpile.

 

[siriradha]

I'm so sorry! My guess would be a raccoon, just because they so frequently go for the head first. I once took a duck to the emergency vet at midnight because a raccoon grabbed her by the head. I got smarter and started locking everybody up at night after that.

 

[Boyd]

Sorry for your loss kiddo. I know we've had our differences in the past, but now you know why I advocate trapping and giving dirt naps vs. relocation.

I hope for you and your fam that you'll not have to go through this anymore.

 

[mrszlopez]

thank you very much Boyd. I really appreciate it. I have a few pics but they are very very graphic. im surprised whatever it was only took one of them.. im just so worried about my girls now i dont see how im going to sleep at night

 

[Cetawin]

I would be looking for a fox or a larger critter...coons will normally go for the head and crop...they do not normally destroy the entire bird in that fashion. Good luck with and sorry you lost your girl.

 

[mrszlopez]

thank you. I plan to put a humane trap out & see what i find. I went back out this morning to find the carcass gone..

 

[mrszlopez]

thank you. I plan to put a humane trap out & see what i find. I went back out this morning to find the carcass gone..

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
The Hav-A-Harts are decent traps. Somebody here started a thread on how to make livetraps more foil proof. Thats pretty much all I use. The only time the leg hold traps are used are out in the field where I don't have to worry about trapping friendlies.

PS, use gloves after you get an animal in your traps because coon's can carry worms, and other critters can carry distemper, rabies etc. Not something you want to accidentally introduce to your farm.