Backyard coyotes

[racheldixon]

We lost two of our sweet pullets yesterday to neighborhood coyotes. We believe a coyote jumped our back chain link fence (the rest of the perimeter is a 6 ft tall wooden fence). I didn't think a coyote could jump a fence, but the feathers on the grass / coyote peeking in proved me wrong! We love letting our chickens roam the yard during the day and don't want to keep them cooped up 24/7. Would it work to put an electric fence or barbed wire above our chain link, to prevent coyotes from jumping it?? Or is the only solution to keep them in the coop? Help! Thanks!!

 

[BlueBaby]

I've heard tell that a coyote can jump a 7 foot fence. You might have to add 2 lines of the electric. How high is your gate?

 

[racheldixon]

Wow! I had no idea they could jump that high. The wooden gate which surrounds 3/4 of the yard is 6 feet tall. The back chain link I would say is about 3.5-4 feet tall. That makes me think adding electric fence won't even stop them!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Put the electric fence about 2 or 3 feet away from your fence, about chest high to a coyote. They won't be able to get close anough to your fence to launch over it. In other words, block the launch zone.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Also remember they have to be grounded for the fence to be effective, so not sure electrilc fencing up high will be effective... I usually soak the ground under the fence real thoroughly. Someone also mentioned hanging from the elec fence at intervals little tabs of aluminum that had been dipped in bacon grease (chicken fat or peanut butter would also probably work). Once your predator sniffs or licks that, he won't come back for more - not even a bear, reportedly! I haven't personally tested this. But definitely will next time I get a predator!

 

[Willowspirit]

The way they get over fences is to jump as high as they can and then scramble the rest of the way. So as big blue hen says, electricity chest high and then along the top as well. Bait them in with yummies of the wire and that should take care of them.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry

Great post on using electricity to protect your flock.

 

[cmom]

Coyotes can jump. Several years ago I had a coyote jump over a 5' fence into a pen and kill several birds. When I noticed, it jumped back out and gave chase to some birds that had also gotten out. I grabbed my gun and got out in time to take a shot while it was chasing a bird through the back yard. I'm sure I hit it but I had #6 bird shot so I didn't kill it but it ran off. We have a lot of coyotes here too. Here nothing preys on the coyotes but they will prey on other predators such as bobcats and fox among others if they can catch them. I see them most every night on one of my game cameras. Last night we had rain but I still saw one behind some of the coops. I have since covered all of my pens and have electric wire around my coops and pens and they know it's there. Last night's visitor. We lost our power during the rain storm. I was nervous because I knew the electric wasn't working. I think I might get a solar backup. The power came back on around 9pm. I see the coyotes most every night behind these coops.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - sorry for the circumstances. A hot wire at the base of the fence about a foot off the ground, and a hot wire plus a ground wire at the top of the fence should deter coyotes. It works to deter cats, fox, and coyotes at a club to which I belong.

 

[cmom]

If you do put wire up, get a good fence charger of at least 1 joule. Anything less will give them a tickle. Mine will make my heart skip a few beats and I won't touch it unless by accident and I have 2 feet on the ground so they will get a good jolt with 4 feet on the ground. Good luck...