What predator leaves the head and a few feathers?

[Chicklova]

Just found Lucy next to the coop with her whole body missing except her head and a few feathers where the attack took place. The coop is inside a huge fenced-in (not covered) area which was not disturbed. I did find a few more feathers outside, behind the coop trailing into the woods but no feathers in between. I'm hoping someone out here might know what predator just leaves the head.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Maybe a cat, or dog.

 

[cmom]

I have found birds headless in the past but never just the head. If you have a game camera, put it up because most likely whatever it is has been lurking looking for an opportunity and will be back since it made a kill and then you will know what you're dealing with. If it was inside your pen, I would guess it could be most any predator, a cat, fox, coyote maybe a bobcat. You never know. An owl usually only takes the head and leaves no feathers behind. Good luck...

 

[Blueeyesliz]

Just found Lucy next to the coop with her whole body missing except her head and a few feathers where the attack took place. The coop is inside a huge fenced-in (not covered) area which was not disturbed. I did find a few more feathers outside, behind the coop trailing into the woods but no feathers in between. I'm hoping someone out here might know what predator just leaves the head.

A friggin Raccoon I put up these Seansor lights get a great detail at night when they come on who’s at the pen and yes one year raccoons, on year hen hawk came back next day finish the job and was in the pen was it’s last meal when my husband found him there. I have a chicken wire top to bottom now and sensor lights to see any visitors they no longer leave at night with any meal!

 

[Lionel king]

Just found Lucy next to the coop with her whole body missing except her head and a few feathers where the attack took place. The coop is inside a huge fenced-in (not covered) area which was not disturbed. I did find a few more feathers outside, behind the coop trailing into the woods but no feathers in between. I'm hoping someone out here might know what predator just leaves the head.

Did you get to find out what was taking the hens as I have had almost exactly the same problem ……….2 chooks in 2 nights

 

[BDutch]

Did you get to find out what was taking the hens as I have had almost exactly the same problem ……….2 chooks in 2 nights

Sorry for your losses. Make if safe asap , because the predator might return the next night.

The people on this old topic haven’t been around for quite a while. If you click on the avatar pic, you find info about the member.

Foxes don’t kill one every night. They kill them all if they have the chance. Maybe it depends on where you live. (Australia?) It seems it strange that a predator leaves a head. I only know feral cats can leave wings and heads of birds they catch.

 

[dennisma1]

Just found Lucy next to the coop with her whole body missing except her head and a few feathers where the attack took place. The coop is inside a huge fenced-in (not covered) area which was not disturbed. I did find a few more feathers outside, behind the coop trailing into the woods but no feathers in between. I'm hoping someone out here might know what predator just leaves the head.

 

[dennisma1]

I had a coyote do this. I heard commotion and saw him book it over fence with hen. . I chased him with a shovel. All I got back was a head and a foot. Coyotes are excellent fence hoppers.