What predator leaves just the chicken feet?

[lncrane08]

I have had two losses in last couple days. The first was when hens were free ranging. A silkie bantam went missing and a pile of feathers left. Today a juvenile silkie rooster was killed inside my (7ft wood) fenced off garden area. There was a big pile of feathers, and then a few smaller areas of feathers scattered throughout garden. And both his feet were left behind too. There were baby chicks and adult chickens in with him as well (6-10wk old and bantam silkies) and other juvenile hens. Thought a hawk got the one the other day because of scant evidence left but Wondering what got roo today? Find it odd whatever it was went for the him when there was smaller (and bigger) ones around and I have never had a hawk leave the feet before! Thanks so much.

 

[nuthatched]

How are your chickens secured at night? Were the legs chewed off? Coons will do that but where do you live to tell what predators?

 

[lncrane08]

How are your chickens secured at night? Were the legs chewed off? Coons will do that but where do you live to tell what predators?

That was where it selected the juvenile roo to kill and depluck (it’s feathers were everywhere and mostly it’s down not it’s top feather coat) and then left nothing but it’s feet. We live in southern Indiana There are raccoons, Fox, possums, hawks, eagles and coyotes. But I have never had a predator leave just the down feathers and the feet before.

 

[lncrane08]

That was where it selected the juvenile roo to kill and depluck (it’s feathers were everywhere and mostly it’s down not it’s top feather coat) and then left nothing but it’s feet. We live in southern Indiana There are raccoons, Fox, possums, hawks, eagles and coyotes. But I have never had a predator leave just the down feathers and the feet before.

Sorry it cut off my first part! Both killings happened during mid afternoon, not at night. One in middle of pasture (free range) and the other was inside my fenced off garden area.

 

[McChooky]

This predator indicator might help based on the clues. Sorry for your loss! http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php

 

[50-45-1]

my (7ft wood) fenced off garden area.

Please show us a picture of this set up or describe it on depth. Any gaps, holes, is it covered?, what about the coop where they sleep at night. Is it locked at night or left open?
Need these details before tying to guess your preditor.
It's something that ate the chicken in place instead of removing it to a safer location.
I had a ferel cat do this. Leaving behind only legs, wings and beak behind.

 

[McChooky]

Please show us a picture of this set up or describe it on depth. Any gaps, holes, is it covered?, what about the coop where they sleep at night. Is it locked at night or left open?
Need these details before tying to guess your preditor.
It's something that ate the chicken in place instead of removing it to a safer location.
I had a ferel cat do this. Leaving behind only legs, wings and beak behind.

Everything I've read says once a chickens been frightened it'll freeze up and can be eaten alive without putting up a fight. Whatever it was stuck around long enough to eat it which eliminates a few predators that carry them off. A cat couldn't eat the wattles,head and beak of a rooster.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. My suggestion would be to put up a camera if you have one. The predator has surely been lurking looking for opportunities and apparently found one. I don't free range anymore due to predators in the past. My land is mostly open pasture. Good luck...

 

[Muddy Creek Coop]

I have had two losses in last couple days. The first was when hens were free ranging. A silkie bantam went missing and a pile of feathers left. Today a juvenile silkie rooster was killed inside my (7ft wood) fenced off garden area. There was a big pile of feathers, and then a few smaller areas of feathers scattered throughout garden. And both his feet were left behind too. There were baby chicks and adult chickens in with him as well (6-10wk old and bantam silkies) and other juvenile hens. Thought a hawk got the one the other day because of scant evidence left but Wondering what got roo today? Find it odd whatever it was went for the him when there was smaller (and bigger) ones around and I have never had a hawk leave the feet before! Thanks so much.

Chicken hawk, I have one on video leaving just the feet of my barredrock