Help! Something just killed 7 layers!!! (Picture that might be considered graphic)

[Crosskelly9]

My husband just found all these hens dead in our pasture. We have had hawks regularly killing and eating our chickens. They seem to attack once very couple of weeks. This attack took place in broad daylight. I’m including the pic because you can see the damage if you zoom in. We’ve had fox in the past, but they usually shake the hen, breaking the neck and then carrying them off. Only if you catch them during the attack will they leave the hen behind. If you have any clue as to what might have done this, please share. Thanks.

 

[BlueBaby]

Probably dog's.

 

[SilverBirds]

It looks like a dog. Whatever it was it killed for sport, not food. A hawk would not have killed that many birds in one go. I'm sorry for your losses

 

[50-45-1]

Dog....chickens are all slobbery and played with until dead.
Dogs kill for fun ,not food, that's why they were killed and left.
So sorry this happened.
Do you have more chickens?
If so, these dogs will return.
Get a couple game cameras at once and put them up pointed at the chicken area.
Confine what chickens you have.
If you had footage of dogs doing this carnage, it could be turned over to the police, and once dog owners were identified. You would be entitled to reimbursement.
I just saw a Judge Judy where she gave the chicken owner $100.00 per dead bird. They had video.

 

[50-45-1]

That's a heartbreaking picture.
So sorry!

 

[Geena]

So sorry. Are they wet from rain, wet grass, or slobber?
Could be foxes, mink or dogs. Unfortunately it's very difficult to pasture raise chickens unless you have a predator control plan in place. This will most likely continue happening.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would think weasle they kill for sport.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

My condolences on your losses. While fox may carry off birds sometimes, I had one that would kill multiple birds (chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl) and simply leave their carcasses. My guess would be canid (either dog or fox).

 

[Geena]

My condolences on your losses. While fox may carry off birds sometimes, I had one that would kill multiple birds (chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl) and simply leave their carcasses. My guess would be canid (either dog or fox).

Yep, I see it erroneously posted on here a lot that foxes only grab one and go. When in truth they will often kill as many as they can. Being smart little critters it most likely depends on what they think they can get away with at the time.

OP, did your husband find them in that arrangement? I remember reading somewhere that weasels will line up the dead bodies like that.

 

[Crosskelly9]

Yep, I see it erroneously posted on here a lot that foxes only grab one and go. When in truth they will often kill as many as they can. Being smart little critters it most likely depends on what they think they can get away with at the time.

OP, did your husband find them in that arrangement? I remember reading somewhere that weasels will line up the dead bodies like that.

No, they were scattered in our field. My husband lined them up.