Coyote - Chicken Predators - How To Protect Your Chickens From Coyotes

COYOTE (Canis latrans)

General Information
Coyotes are most active at night and during the early morning and late evening hours. In areas where they are not disturbed by human activities, and during the cooler times of the year, they may be active throughout the day. Urban coyotes are becoming very tolerant of human activities. Young coyotes tend to be more active during daylight hours than adults.

Description
Coyotes are medium sized animals belonging to the dog family. Most adults weigh between 22 to 25 pounds on the average, with males being the larger sex. With large erect ears, slender muzzle, and bushy tail they resemble a small collie dog. In the hotter drier regions , coyotes are tan-brown in color with streaks of gray. In the more mountainous or humid areas, the color is darker with less brown. In the winter the coats become quite dense, especially in the colder areas. The voice of the coyote is quite distinctive, consisting of various howls, high-pitched yaps, and occasional dog like barks.

photo by Gina K. Thornburg

Range
The coyote is found throughout North America from eastern Alaska to New England and south through Mexico to Panama. It originally ranged primarily in the northwest corner of the US, but it has adapted readily to the changes caused by human occupation and, in the past 200 years, has been steadily extending its range. Sightings now commonly occur in Florida, New England and eastern Canada.

Methods of Kill
Poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, are easy prey, and any passing coyote bold enough to approach an area where they are ranging will help itself. Removing problem coyotes will only make space for other coyotes to move into the area. To stop poultry killing, predators would have to be trapped or snared close to the house. The best precaution is to house the poultry at night where predators can't get to them and build a high, predator-proof pen for the fowl during the day.

Coyotes are tenacious and opportunistic predators that can easily wreak havoc on your poultry farm. These nocturnal hunters will hunt for food whenever they are hungry or if the opportunity presents itself. A chicken buffet that is laid out for their easy access and convenience will attract not just a lone killer, but a pack of merciless coyotes.

Check for Coyotes

Coyotes can be found in almost every corner of Northern America. These predators kill chickens by going for the jugular area. Their modus operandi includes dragging a chicken away from the coop and eating it another location. However, coyotes who are in dire need of food will not hesitate to stay, hunt, and kill other chickens. Check for signs of struggle around your chicken coop as well as paw prints to verify if it is indeed coyotes that are harming your chooks.

Process of Elimination

Make sure to read your state’s specific regulations before bringing out the big guns. If you are not allowed to shoot or kill a coyote, you can scare them off by letting off a few rounds of shots until they go away.

You can always call your nearest Animal Control center so they can assist you. Set traps, but make sure that they do not harm your chickens or young children. A great way to get rid of a coyote problem is to install motion sensor cameras and electric fences around your chicken coops. These equipments will teach coyotes not to go near your property, and will enable you to see how these predators kill.

Preventive Measures

Coyotes love fresh meat so if you are also breeding other animals like rabbits and geese, make sure that they are properly fenced at night. Coyotes will never say no to the chance of munching on any kind of carcass. Keep coyotes away by regularly checking the health conditions of your chickens and their surroundings. Remove sick, dying, and deceased animals away from the flock as coyotes will grab anything that they can easily chew. Trash bins should also be sealed at night and every time you are not there. The smell of food, whether fresh or rotting, is a signal to the coyotes that there is food aplenty.

Canine companions are also great deterrents against coyotes. Get two to three pooches with guard dog temperaments to warn you of coyotes and scare away these cunning predators.