Arizona Chickens

[Arizona Son]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire.

I cant believe this keeps happening to you! I really think you need to install a game camera to photograph whatever it is, so at least you will know what you are up against. Trust me, I hate coyotes with every fiber of my soul. They have cost me more chickens than I even want to think about. But from the damage you describe, I'm not 100% convinced it was a coyote. There are sooooo many different types of predatory animals in AZ and since your property backs up to a wash and is in the vicinity of Saguaro National Park, you literally have a wildlife corridor in your backyard. I am available if you want any predator proofing construction advice or merely a shoulder for sympathy. You may want to take a few weeks off of even thinking about it, I know it is a lot to deal with all at once.

 

[FeatherPugs]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire.

This is why I am afraid to put the "littles" out to their grow-up pen. I'm leaving them in the brooder as long as possible AND the idea of an electric fence for night time or when you are away is a very good idea. We just might look at that concept!! We have the materials as we had an errant dog that would jump the fence - this kept the dog from jumping and only took a couple times of being zapped.

 

[MagicChicken]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire. Are you sure it's a coyote? It could be the work of a small pack of dogs - larger ones to move the heavy stuff and smaller ones to go through the small hole. A 6' fence is nothing to some of the dogs I know.

Are you sure it's a coyote and not a pack of dogs? I know a lot of dogs that can easily scale a 6' fence.

Sounds like electric fencing is the way to go if you are going to keep chickens alive. Reinforcing the hardware cloth with welded wire fencing might help too. Don't blame yourself. There is no way this is your fault.

A wildlife camera would also be helpful. If it turns out to be dogs and the dogs belong to someone in your neighborhood, a wildlife camera would help document the culprits so you could maybe get reimbursed for the damage. Whatever it is knows there's fine dining at your place. It will probably be back.

I am so sorry!

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Pora hasn't been very worthwhile for me.  I have gotten 8 different electricians from them to do some work in my back yard all but 2 have flaked out.  Some just don't show, some won't return calls, or give promised quotes.  Of the 2 that actually gave quotes there customer service is still lacking enough to not want to use them.

thank you, very informative. I only use the people my mother recommends.

She always demands service and reasonable rates. She had been condo president for some 10 or more years. Kept dues down. After she retired in 2010 the dues have nearly doubled. They had a water line break and no water for 2 weeks, then people had sand in their water, with water heaters, & faucets. Mothers Plumber, Singletary, he came out ASAP and fixed it right away. {He spelt the $60.00 bass service minimum part of the bill with all the condo members reducing the the total bill. Mother still had keys to all the condo's so he could check every empty condo (no charge if ok) no one as of yet been reimbursed for the sand in water line}. The plumber the new president hired was a buddy, turned out nether bonded or insured, but was license.

He hired a different roofer, he did charge less the Oldfather, but at first rain, 11 out of 30 condo's has water damage. They did eventually come out to fix it after law suit was threatened. The next rain only a few leaked. My mother for one had to put in a new ceiling. They did fill a law suit, still in court 3 years. Headless to say after a few more expensive disasters he was impeached/resigned in office about year.

Wish this was the forum to rant on this guy, I have as personal problem............. He dose not like strong capable women. Enough said.....

 

[OScarlet]

It has worked well so far for us. I noticed how easy it was to break the welds on the hardware cloth when I was cutting it to install and knowing that my 40lb dog was able to break out of a heavy gauge welded wire crate TWICE I knew that the hardware cloth was not going to stop a truly determined predator. I talked to DH and we decided that instead of buying (double the price) better quality wire we would invest in an electric wire system instead and my DH being a belt and braces man bought a heavy duty one. Our main coop is sat on cemented cinder blocks and patio stones with wire underneath across the whole area. We kicked all the blocks as hard as we could once the cement was set. One moved so we liquid nailed it to its neighbours and the patio stone it sits on. Now it won't move. Our travel coop has an open bottom but we put wire aprons around and pegged it down with a lot of long steel tent pegs. We tucked a treat under the apron to see if our dogs could dislodge the apron and they couldn't. Then we wired the whole lot and grounded it to the wire aprons of the travel coop so if something touches the live wire and is standing on the apron they get shocked. I water the ground about once a week to make sure it stays well grounded as our yard dries out easily.

When we are completely finished we plan to wire the fence to our yard too to make it harder for the raccoon biker gang to get in the yard in the first place.

Oh and our dogs won't go near the chickens at night now. One got shocked twice, the other once and they are staying well away. So I am confident it is working. DS (17) touched it by accident and said while it wasn't painful as such, it wasn't pleasant and has no desire to do that again. DS#2 learned from his brother's mistake.

 

[pipemum]

Thanks, OScarlet. I do think something like an electric fence will have to be the way to go. Wiring the top of my fence sounds like a good plan.

Thanks all, for the condolences.

AZSon, do game cameras come with alarms? Like, if something sets it off, can it "ding" a setting on my phone or something? My house wifi easily reaches out to the chicken coop areas. If alerted, I could be up out of bed and out the back door in about 30 seconds. Ha, and I would love to check out the new arrows I bought my husband for his mini-crossbow.

 

[MandyFitch]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire.

 

[notinoz2007]

aww, pipemum thats sad news, especially since you just went through this! very sorry for your losses. keeping chickens is a constant learning experience, and lots of losses to help us learn

in not so devastating news, i myself have to go through a loss - albeit voluntary (kind of). i have to rehome 2 of my babies. they are both 7 month old barnyard mix roosters. dad is brahma. mom of black is an ee, mom of white might be an aloha. They were both hand raised by my daughter and are extremely gentle and oh so pretty. they just started crowing a few weeks ago - and are attempting to become head of the coop - but their dad isnt thrilled with that idea, therefore they must go. Free to a good home, or for a good dinner just dont tell me what you plan to do with them... pm if interested. we are in mesa.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

An oops!

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Mama Mary, I have reason to believe is taking good care of her chicks........... What do you think? Are they hungry? Or not? Or is that a grouth?

To night, also, mama moved into the main coop. Normally it is quite, every one has their place. Mama first what end to roost, so she kicked every one off. 2 of the chicks made it up their. Then she settled for the nesting area on top. She kept calling them, two just couldn't figure out how to get to mama. Finally all is well.