What killed my Silkie??

[Ebz5003]

I went out to coop/run this morning to find chickens' large feeder knocked over, huge pile of shavings dug thru outside of the run, and a gaping hole where something got in. Whatever it was killed my buff Silkie cockerel, Beaker. Took only head, apparently? And left all the other pullets/ chickens unharmed. What did this? I've attached picture of the Silkie (warning- graphic!), and a picture of the dried blood with predator's paw prints in it.

 

[Noraaaaa]

How big are the paw prints,

 

[Ebz5003]

How big are the paw prints,

They are 1.5in tall by 1.5in wide.....all three of them. I'm just now noticing a 5th toe pad on them, as well. Here are closer pics.

 

[Noraaaaa]

They are 1.5in tall by 1.5in wide.....all three of them. I'm just now noticing a 5th toe pad on them, as well. Here are closer pics.

I think you may be looking at a raccoon. I had some attacks a few years ago, and the only way that I have found to deter them is to trap and kill. Raccoon prints are usually different shapes, but they may not have been fully covered!

 

[SamLockwood]

Likely a raccoon. They're freakishly strong for their size and that's thoe sort of mess they tend to leave.

 

[Ebz5003]

I think you may be looking at a raccoon. I had some attacks a few years ago, and the only way that I have found to deter them is to trap and kill. Raccoon prints are usually different shapes, but they may not have been fully covered!

Could it also be a weasel/mink? The only way a raccoon could have gotten in is to pull out my coop doors which have two latches holding them closed and were still latched. Wondering how this is possible

I think you may be looking at a raccoon. I had some attacks a few years ago, and the only way that I have found to deter them is to trap and kill. Raccoon prints are usually different shapes, but they may not have been fully covered!

 

[Noraaaaa]

Could it also be a weasel/mink? The only way a raccoon could have gotten in is to pull out my coop doors which have two latches holding them closed and were still latched. Wondering how this is possible

It could be. Those would probably kill everything, though (I had a flock of about 10 birds get killed in 10 minutes by a mink about 2 years ago). The mink tends to kill all then come back and drag one by one to their home. This could be a mink if something scared it after it killed one. Raccoons have very strong arms and can open things sometimes. I have had them get into runs with a latch and into feed containers. Do you have a game camera? You could set out the silkie body and try and see what comes to get it. (not sure if that would work)

 

[aart]

and a gaping hole where something got in.

Got a pic of this hole?
Was the bird killed in the coop or the run?

 

[McChooky]

I went out to coop/run this morning to find chickens' large feeder knocked over, huge pile of shavings dug thru outside of the run, and a gaping hole where something got in. Whatever it was killed my buff Silkie cockerel, Beaker. Took only head, apparently? And left all the other pullets/ chickens unharmed. What did this? I've attached picture of the Silkie (warning- graphic!), and a picture of the dried blood with predator's paw prints in it.

Chicken wire can stretch and break when a predator chews the wires

 

[McChooky]

Could it also be a weasel/mink? The only way a raccoon could have gotten in is to pull out my coop doors which have two latches holding them closed and were still latched. Wondering how this is possible

Unless the doors have a snug fit and don't leave a big gap when pulled coons will get in.You need carabiners to secure your doors or a lock too. Coons are strong enough to pull loose boards off.I covered one side with metal so coons wouldn't try to pull the boards off