Dead rooster with no head

[nursedonna]

What would kill my rooster and only take his head? We found his body under some bushes.
I live in south east Georgia and read that weasels will do that, but not sure we have them here.

 

[Compost King]

Raccoons did that to an entire flock of bantams... just ate all the heads. They only attack at night unless rabid.

 

[nursedonna]

We definitely have Raccoons. Maybe that is what got him.

 

[50-45-1]

Owls like only the head.
Was it day time, and do they free range?

 

[NJ_Tara]

I’m in New Jersey and lost two of my young silkies to some predator today. I am heart broken and feel terribly responsible for letting them in their open topped run unattended. One was missing completely with just some feathers left behind. I assumed hawk. But the second was left in the run without a head. Reading this, was it more likely an owl. I am so petrified of losing the others. It was terrible.

 

[Rick M]

When one of mine got killed a few days ago, it was a hawk. It had completely cleaned the head and neck area, I'm assuming it was a juvenile hawk and was scared off before it could eat more. My neighbor actually seen the hawk standing on top of the hen. I heard several more hawks screaming in the woods behind our house this afternoon.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I’m in New Jersey and lost two of my young silkies to some predator today. I am heart broken and feel terribly responsible for letting them in their open topped run unattended. One was missing completely with just some feathers left behind. I assumed hawk. But the second was left in the run without a head. Reading this, was it more likely an owl. I am so petrified of losing the others. It was terrible.

Probably raccoons since two were killed in one night.
We’re they killed during the day or night?
I’m in New Jersey unfortunately and we have a ton of raccoons, foxes etc.. I have an open top run and have never lost a bird to an owl and I have ducks and chickens that sleep outside all night.

 

[NJ_Tara]

It happened in the middle of the afternoon! I’m sick over it.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I enclose the tops of all my runs with welded wire. Sooner or later your luck will run out if you have an open topped run. Sorry for your loss, OP.

 

[roosterhavoc]

It happened in the middle of the afternoon! I’m sick over it.

Raccoons will come during the day regardless of what people say. I’ve caught at least 5 after 9 am.
What part of the state do you live in? Rural or suburb? If you don’t have an electric fence and you have a missing bird it could also be a fox.