I live pretty rural, 45 miles from a grocery store, more than a mile to my closest neighbor and not another neighbor for more than 3 miles. The predators of all kind have found my chickens. While they may not have eaten domesticated chicken, they are close enough to wild turkeys, and prairie chickens to not confuse any predators that I have had.
Last spring, the coyotes were very thick, and they will get them in the day time. However, my DH put some yearlings in close the the buildings, and yearling cattle are like teen agers, always on the go, just snoopy, and running around, and the coyotes moved on. I think they didn't like all that commotion. Predators move in and out of an area in my experience.
I let mine free range a lot, but I also have fort knox. When I get hit, I leave the rest in lock up for quite a while. I do have good cover, I do have a rooster, I am working on more camouflage feather pattern, but I do get hit.
Build your fort knox, do be aware, that regardless, you will more than likely loose some birds. Personally it works best for me to enjoy the flock, but to know, that birds come and go in this flock.
MRs K
Last spring, the coyotes were very thick, and they will get them in the day time. However, my DH put some yearlings in close the the buildings, and yearling cattle are like teen agers, always on the go, just snoopy, and running around, and the coyotes moved on. I think they didn't like all that commotion. Predators move in and out of an area in my experience.
I let mine free range a lot, but I also have fort knox. When I get hit, I leave the rest in lock up for quite a while. I do have good cover, I do have a rooster, I am working on more camouflage feather pattern, but I do get hit.
Build your fort knox, do be aware, that regardless, you will more than likely loose some birds. Personally it works best for me to enjoy the flock, but to know, that birds come and go in this flock.
MRs K