Help with a chicken killer

I'm an old trapper from years back but being forced back in service. Something is getting my chickens by the neck, pulling through the 2x4 cage and just eating the head. Lost three this way. I need best suggestions I can get on how to try and handle this. It's a small pen. 1 rooster and 3 hens. Maybe 3 ft by 6 ft rectangular pen. I've only got 2 double long-range 11/2 , 2 110 coni and 1 120 coni. Any help will be predicted. Terry.

Put an 3-4 strand electric fence around the outside.
In 37 years have not lost to predator even one pheasant, chicken, duck, or turkey.

Most likely a weasel.

Being pulled through the fence is most always a raccoon. What traps do you have access to?

Eating just head?

Dad always said a skunk would do that but I have no experience

Do you have access to a trail camera? If not maybe throw some dirt down along the sides of the fence and check for tracks.

Set the 2 leg hold traps along side the cage.

I will do this. I'm in Virginia and right now in the middle of a bad snow storm. Can I clear out an area of snow and still set them? I ai t got alot of experience in snow conditions.

If your problems are raccoons, I would wait till it warms up a bit again as they dont move much in the snow. Not saying they won't

I've seen this happen with coons before. Set along side your pen but make sure to stake far enough from your pen that they can't reach it once caught.

Skunk.I had the same problem until I shot it.

Thanks everybody. Caught a big boar last night. I would post a picture but don't know how.

I'd keep a few sets out there. Where there is one, there are typically more.

Yes you are right. I found sign that he had company last night. He tore up Jack. I'll have a time trying to freshen up the set.

Coon is my guess. Had a similar experience about 5 years ago and it turned out to be a huge boar coon.

That's it !!!! Give those coons the steel

Ever consider Claymors?

Unless you had a perfect pinch point he destroyed, just move up or sown the way.

Way to go.

Never forget : the Norway ( Brown ) rat that kills like mink and weasels do.
And then. . .there's the skunk