12 hens and 1 rooster lost in 2 days

[Chipper]

I learned my lesson last year when I lost 5 cockerels and 5 pullets to coyotes.All the chickens stay in the 6' chain link run now,unless I am out there with them.We just have to many predators to let them free range all the time.I can go outside any night of the week and listen to the coyotes howling away and the population seems to be getting bigger every year.

 

[Chickens-246]

Breed a bunch of rabbits and let them loose for coyote food, rabbits ARE natures food source, this is why they breed so fast.

In reality, your going to have to shoot the coyotes, the problem will just grow. Shotgun is the only way to go, they are a short range weapon, even a 22 can go over a mile. Warning shots will only scare them away temporarily.

I open free range myself and rarely have wild predator problems, I do have allot of wild rabbits.

 

[chickboss]

I agree, they are not "puppies." That said, comparing them to serial killers is IMO going to the other extreme. They are just critters, doing what any animal, including me, would do to feed itself and family given what set of tools they were born with. Of corse they are not sentimentle about your chickens, dogs, cats, ect. I'm not overly sentimentle about the cow I just bought from the store either. But just because you can relate to their needing to feed, live, breath, ect. does not mean that you are in anyway out of line in protecting your food source. They would protect thiers, and do. If I had one in my pen and I had a clear shoot, I would take it. At the very least I would run out there screaming with a stick or something...LOL, maybe a rolling pen... You protecting your space is no different than any animal keeping its territory free of competition as well. And coyotes are obviously not on any endangered list. Get some good electric fenceing like has been suggested, some better housing if you need, if nessecery follow some of the harsher advice given, and enjoy your chickens. Those coyotes can find food somewhere else.

 

[chickboss]

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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.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

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Do you hate cats or something????

Not to answer for Violet, but I'm not sure I understand your question. Coyotes killed 15 cats of hers over the last 20 years. I guess she likes cats if she had that many, right, LOL? They are bad for eating cats and some don't know that even coons will kill cats. I've had friends who lost cats to coyotes. And I think it's because cats often will turn to fight rather than climb a tree. I know they used to do that when they'd get into my chainlink backyard and my dog would dispatch them. They never just turned and jumped back over the fence the same way they got in.

Oh, ok I'll explain it better. Hypothetically speaking of course, let's say you lose that first cat to coyotes, then get another and that one gets eaten, then get another and that one gets eaten, my humble opinion is that it is time to stop getting cats (or restrict them to inside the house like I do) since all you are doing is feeding the local wildlife with the cats. A love for cats is not demonstrated by shrugging and going out and buying another feeder kitten fifteen times. (In my opinion, maybe others think this is how to properly treat cats?) I happen to live within a stone's throw from the poster.

 

[Chickens-246]

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.

Although the coyote has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not subsist on domestic animals. Food habit studies reveal that its principle diet is composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants.

Source: http://www.desertusa.com/june96/du_cycot.html

Wanted to add; There is drawbacks to shooting coyotes and other predators. The reason I have lots of rabbits is I shot a coyote and two foxes two seasons ago and the rabbits multiplied uncontrolled. They started to eat my trees two feet up (jackrabbits as well as cottontails).

 

[Ibicella]

I am going to be blunt and say that your soft heart is your first major problem here. Coyotes and their puppies are not and should not be your concern. They are wild predators destroying your family. You are seriously misplacing your perspective worrying about their puppies and failing your family of chickens that needs you. Your chickens are dying by being ripped to shreds and if you really care about them, then you NEED to take some responsibility and stop worrying about the coyotes. Your birds are depending on you to protect them, not the coyotes.

First of all, build a good strong coop and a run with hardwire cloth and some hot-wire. There are many plans here on this site for building Coop Knox to protect them. Second, stop free-ranging your flock unless you can stand present, and be certain to lock them up at night.

Third, let your husband to shoot to kill and keep out of his business while he does it.

Either that, or definitely give up on keeping animals because your home is now a free buffet to them and you're going to lose every single one you care about.

Again, sorry for being blunt, but your loss is something I feel too because I've been through it, and I don't want to see you or any more of your babies hurt.

 

[pringle]

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.

Although the coyote has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not subsist on domestic animals. Food habit studies reveal that its principle diet is composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants.

Source: http://www.desertusa.com/june96/du_cycot.html

Wanted to add; There is drawbacks to shooting coyotes and other predators. The reason I have lots of rabbits is I shot a coyote and two foxes two seasons ago and the rabbits multiplied uncontrolled. They started to eat my trees two feet up (jackrabbits as well as cottontails).

I would think this would be very hard.What rabbit still has enough wild instinct to survive in the wild?None really and I wouldent just do this for some stupid coyotes either shoot them or get a electrical fence.

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
Although the coyote has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not subsist on domestic animals. Food habit studies reveal that its principle diet is composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants.

Source: http://www.desertusa.com/june96/du_cycot.html

Wanted to add; There is drawbacks to shooting coyotes and other predators. The reason I have lots of rabbits is I shot a coyote and two foxes two seasons ago and the rabbits multiplied uncontrolled. They started to eat my trees two feet up (jackrabbits as well as cottontails).

I would think this would be very hard.What rabbit still has enough wild instinct to survive in the wild?None really and I wouldent just do this for some stupid coyotes either shoot them or get a electrical fence.

We had two rabbits escape our farm (lots of coyotes in that area). Saw them all the time for 2 years. What is the life span of a rabbit in the wild anyway? Kind of think it would be like truly free ranged chickens. The smart ones make it. Period. And then breed. LOL, I think if I was going to start a rabbit/coyote experiment I would import them from Chickens-246.

Chickens-246- They really eat your trees? Gosh dang, thoose sound like some serious rabbits. Maybe they're eating the coyotes to. LOL. A couple more generations, and you may need to watch them around your chickens.

 

[poultryfan73]

Well it probably wouldnt help but i think coyotes hunt in packs? If you kill the pack i think for awhile you wont have a problem? I never have coyote or fox problems so i dont know what to tell you.