Predators

The last time we got hit by a predator was in November. A hawk killed our hen Tweetie. We thankfully made it through December and January with no predator losses. Sadly, our good luck ran out and we've lost two hens in the last four days.  Both were killed right around dusk. Both hens were killed along the edge of the forest at the side of the house. both were white chickens. However, they were killed by two different predators. 

The first hen was murdered three days ago. She was, without a doubt, killed by a bird of prey. most likely the same damn hawk that killed poor Tweetie back in November. The little shit has been hanging around here all winter. We are constantly chasing the darn thing away. 

The second hen was killed yesterday. We missed seeing the killer by mere minutes. When we went out to put the birds away, we heard the murderer running away through the forest. The hen's body was still steaming. The killer was definitely 4-legged and big enough to make noise as it ran away; we could hear tree branches snapping. I have never seen such a brutal kill before. The killer ate a lot, way more than normal . I've seen fox kills, not the same. I've seen coyote kills, not the same. I've seen hawk and eagle kills, not the same. So, what did it? I'm thinking a very hungry coon or feral cat, or even possibly a bobcat (though I think a bobcat would carry off the hen, like a fox or coyote do). It's been a hard winter here; winter started almost a month early. To eat the hen within the perimeter of the house like that, its ballsy and/or desperate. 

PIC OF THE DEAD BIRD FOLLOW - VERY GRAPHIC

If you a sensitive to graphic images, please do not scroll further! 

If anyone can identify what type of predator did this, please let me know. 

We are high alert around here. Praying whatever killed the poor sweet hen doesn't come back. We are upping our security and will be trying our hardest to defend the featherbabies and keep them safe! So many predators here, it's a constant battle!