12 hens and 1 rooster lost in 2 days

[yelim]

We have coyotes in all the lower 48. They will kill and eat anything they can.

 

[Chickens-246]

These are a couple of the worst trees that the rabbits ate, before I started to hunt them. The first tree has never recovered (I have it fenced) and it's been two years. The second tries to recover, but it's still getting eaten. I would put fencing around it but it's a hawk hiding spot for the chickens. Jackrabbits are the worst offenders, some are really huge, I think they are called Antelope Jackrabbits.

When these trees were being eaten like this I would see 4-5 jackrabbits hanging out in my yard. I lived trapped the cottontails and relocated them. I never could trap a jackrabbit so I would night hunt them.

This winter the rabbits are under control because the predators are back, I saw a coyote in my yard one night. As long as they are night time hunting, I refuse to shoot them, since my crew is locked up at night.

I have neighbors that will kill every snake they see, unless it's a ratter around my house, they are free to roam. They are great rodent control.

My main point to all this is a certain amount of predators is a good thing, they keep nature balanced.

 

[rcentner]

I am very sorry about your loss, I too, lost 2 roos and 5 hens last monday to a fox and I am still crying about it.

Our solution here is a fence. We have coyotes, bear, fox and hawks. I took a chance last monday and let them out to free range because our fence was under construction and couldn't bear to leave them in the coop on a nice day. Lesson learned here, knowing about these predators I let them out and paid for it. It's unfortunate, but in places like here it is essential, for personal sanity, to keep them in a covered, secure, fenced runs. The bear made a visit last fall and did some damage, but all the chooks were safe and at that time the DEC officer suggested electric fence and we are planning to do this soon. Unless you are prepared to deal with such losses, free ranging is not the answer. Some people can do it and have safe birds, but some of us live in dangerous territory that was not meant for chickens. Again, sorry for your losses and consider fencing and reducing free ranging to time that you can physically be with them.

 

[babyblue]

Quote:
I agree and will add that allowing them to become so bold is not only your birds problem, but endangering the human children in your area and every single bit of livestock around.

 

[Britney]

Unless you have a couple of Livestock Guardian Dogs who are large enough to deter them, you will have to shoot them. There isn't much else you can do once they find the Chicken Buffet and keep coming back.

What breed dog does that?​

 

[speckledhen]

Great Pyrennes, Meremma, Anatolian, etc

 

[Britney]

Great Pyrennes, Meremma, Anatolian, etc

We are actually looking for a new dog. Not to hijack this thread but here are my requirements for a dog that would work for us. LOL

Large breed, but won't use our swimming pool. One that wont shed that much.
We have to go to the animal shelter because I love puppies but do not have the time to go through all of that cute little puppy stuff if you know what I mean. I want a friendly dog that is not considered an aggressive breed. I love Rotts but not sure. Color is not an issue for us. I just want a big cuddly pooch that I can walk and play ball with. Any suggestions? If this question starts hijacking the thread you can pm me​

 

[jjthink]

The OP hasn't surfaced since her initial post almost 40 posts ago - may want to make sure she is returning before spending much more time commenting in this thread. I hope no other birds suffer the same fate as the unlucky 13.
JJ

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Get a big dog to scare them off or borrow a big dog for a few days to mark around your property..heard that works really well

My boxer keeps everything out of our yard. Never a problem yet. Good luck to you!

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Really? I would have never thought of this. That is a really interesting idea, esspecially in areas where the coyotes are feeling a real push in terms of territory.

Except providing a nonnatural food source for the coyotes will only mean more coyotes, right? Nature limits predators naturally when prey is limited, and allows predator numbers to increase when prey is more plentiful.