I am in NH and need some Yankee know how. All the state animal lady said was to get the electric fence working--but, can't a coyote jump the so-called poultry protector ($350.00 or so)? I have noticed traps on ebay, but don't want to harm myself setting it up. Also, I've read that certain poisons are cruel. Are there any somewhat nice poisons, deterrnts, or traps....nice, but effective. Progressive but not PC
Here is some 'southern know how'; get your shotgun / rifle and bust that coyote... Its a non cruel way as it won't feel a thing. Trapping it and letting it loose for someone else to deal with isn't helping the matter.
Only other alternative I see is to build your Coop/Run like Fort Knox. Hardware cloth is very expensive in my opinion. I kinda chuckle when I see these "PETA" comments. We all love animals. That said, when that coon tore the head and neck out of my chickens body, I doubt her last minutes were very humane. It is said that all animals go to heaven. Why is it so hard for us to send them to heaven sooner?
The bad thing with poison is so much unlike a rifle. The bullet hits the guilty party. Poison is a 'I hope the right one gets this', deal. I poison a possum once but I knew she would only go in the nest. Nobody did other than her. And it worked. She was dead in the nest when I found her. But you asked for northern know how. We do things different here in Georgia.
`If your coop is fenced on your property.... If you have a perimeter fence,get a good watch dog. I have Great Pyrenees & have had other livestock guardian breeds that are much easier to fence in than it is to fence predators out. But if you go the route of livestock guardian breed dog,you must have enough room for them to have exercise also. There are some of these dogs that show up on occasion in rescues & dog pounds that are just looking for a job. Save a dog's life & rescue a young one that will bond to your property .Beware as some rescues charge more than a pup from a reputable breeder. Others are very reasonable priced. They don't need to be trained to guard. Guarding their property & animals is instinctive & if they are happy,they will guard your property & animals with their life once they are bonded to you & their new home !
I built my pen "like Fort Knox" with one side flush with the outside of the dog's pen. The other three sides are surrounded by the dogs. The dogs will protect against snakes, raccoons, possums, skunks ect. from three sides. It is up to me to protect the chickens against the dogs... I have a shotgun for the fourth side. I can tell by the way the dogs bark if something is heckling them or the chickens...
Let me recommend the .17 HRM. Relatively quiet, rarely richochets, sudden death at close range on racoon/fox size bad guys. Maybe a little light for coyote, tho'. Bill
