Rooster with no head... Name that predator

[RossAcres]

That's how a raccoon ate most of its kills at our property. An owl also could be possible. I've heard they eat the heads

He was inside a barn so probably not an owl unless one just walked in I think a raccoon is the most probable. If only I could catch it. I have four live traps with sardines and one dog proof trap (everyone says they're the best for raccoons) but so far I've only caught baby possums.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

He was inside a barn so probably not an owl unless one just walked in I think a raccoon is the most probable. If only I could catch it. I have four live traps with sardines and one dog proof trap (everyone says they're the best for raccoons) but so far I've only caught baby possums.

Did you see my post about the paw traps?

 

[RossAcres]

Did you see my post about the paw traps?

Just saw it. I have one dog proof trap, which I think is the same thing as your paw trap. It's a tube with a trigger, and when the raccoon reaches in the tube, the trap closes on their arm and traps them.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just saw it. I have one dog proof trap, which I think is the same thing as your paw trap. It's a tube with a trigger, and when the raccoon reaches in the tube, the trap closes on their arm and traps them.

Yep. Stuff some marshmallow in there and odds are if it's a raccoon, they'll get stuck

 

[RossAcres]

Yep. Stuff some marshmallow in there and odds are if it's a raccoon, they'll get stuck

That's what I've done and nothing yet

 

[McChooky]

You might have a mink or weasel

 

[Kazzandra]

Lost more chickens to possums than anything else. And they always eat the head and the upper organs only-- they might try to take the corpses with them, though, too, but usually can't get them out the run. They will come in as early as 20m after dusk so I have to promptly get in there. They can't seem to succeed if everyone is perched, though.

Very odd everyone always talks about possums eating eggs. Never once in my experience. But I have lost dozens of chickens to Possums-- caught them on camera-- they reach out, snap the necks, it's over. Maybe it's an NC problem.

 

[NeedMoreChickems]

Lost more chickens to possums than anything else. And they always eat the head and the upper organs only-- they might try to take the corpses with them, though, too, but usually can't get them out the run. They will come in as early as 20m after dusk so I have to promptly get in there. They can't seem to succeed if everyone is perched, though.

Very odd everyone always talks about possums eating eggs. Never once in my experience. But I have lost dozens of chickens to Possums-- caught them on camera-- they reach out, snap the necks, it's over. Maybe it's an NC problem.

I'm currently dealing with coon/possum. Lost 2 stags in 3 days. First was a 2 month old pulled it thru the wire and ate everything except a leg, wings, and the guts. Put my trap out with the remnants of him and a couple eggs and it filled up the trap with dirt so it couldn't latch and got the eggs, got a 1 year old last night the way you described, only head and top organs gone. I'll be hunting tonight to see what it is.

 

[NeedMoreChickems]

I'm currently dealing with coon/possum. Lost 2 stags in 3 days. First was a 2 month old pulled it thru the wire and ate everything except a leg, wings, and the guts. Put my trap out with the remnants of him and a couple eggs and it filled up the trap with dirt so it couldn't latch and got the eggs, got a 1 year old last night the way you described, only head and top organs gone. I'll be hunting tonight to see what it is.

It ended up being a coon. Clamp trap and peanut butter with an egg on top for the win.

 

[McChooky]

View attachment 3981490It ended up being a coon. Clamp trap and peanut butter with an egg on top for the win.

View attachment 3981490It ended up being a coon. Clamp trap and peanut butter with an egg on top for the win.

Glad you finally caught the culprit!