coyote killing free range hens

[sirrahm]

Interesting... I have 11 assorted chickens two being cocks and I had 4 ducks.. 3 females and one drake. Well two weeks ago the ducks took a walk down the creek, they have a regular routine and route, at the edge of a subdivision but that evening only the three females came back.. I'm thinking the male lost the fight with local coyotes that have a den at the edge of the neighbors pasture. They hate to be couped up all day long and fail to lay very well when I feel I have to do it. Ducks and Chickens are all together and the male duck was the head of the group. I've been reading about non lethal means like rubber bullets or bean bag rounds. I'm a big advocate for the natural balance of things but these guys are eating the woods out of all the small criters. Rabbits none left and squirrels where we used to have a zillion of them I think we're down to maybe two jumping the trees. Now my duck, and I'm anticipating them back for more. So I empathize with your predicament. We even had a coyowolf last year. Large as a wolf but colored as a coyowolf. Ranger said it was a mixed breed. If you find something that will keep them away do post ok? As far as dogs go my pits don't intimidate them in the least. I wonder if anyone's had any luck with the small red lights that appear as eyes at night. Maybe a recording of a lion?

 

[sirrahm]

I also wanted to mention that my neighbor has a donkey and he does protect his goats but those coyotes are there every other night tormenting the hell out of that donkey.. I think they are just playing with him.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Preds like coyotes, foxes, or bobcats are ambush killers. They like to lay in wait, while peeking over the soybeans and let their food come to them instead of chasing it all over Hades and the better half of Georgia. Right behind an electric fence, the best defense is a wide open area that denies predators ambush or stalking cover thus giving your chickens a head start. Of course it also helps if people keep an athletic chicken breed that can get out of its own way when confronted with a predator.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... I've been reading about non lethal means like rubber bullets or bean bag rounds. I'm a big advocate for the natural balance of things but these guys are eating the woods out of all the small criters. Rabbits none left and squirrels where we used to have a zillion of them I think we're down to maybe two jumping the trees. Now my duck, and I'm anticipating them back for more.....

For what its worth you may have better luck controlling coyotes if you'll buy a large wolf pack and turn them loose in the neighborhood.

The following video is not for those with a weak stomach but the video graphically demonstrates how that sensitive lady, Mother Nature maintains her delicate balance when it comes to uninvited dinner guest like coyotes raiding the larder or helping themselves.

Because I can neither bite as hard nor run as fast or as far as a wolf or even a coyote can, I think that I will be saving the bean bags for making chili.

 

[fordguy]

doesn't work. Only thing that works: gun. Kill the coyote or don't complain. You owe it to your flock.

 

[bobbi-j]

OP, it appears that you don't have a run. That could be a helpful thing for you. Build a run attached to your coop. Make it secure enough you feel comfortable leaving the pop door open at night so that when your chickens get up in the morning, they can get out into the run and scratch around until you get out there to let them free range. Make it big enough that when the coyotes decide to come visit in the middle of the day, you can lock your remaining chickens into the run for a few days/weeks/months or however long it takes to discourage the coyotes, hawks, or other predators and they move on. Also, you can keep them locked in the coop/run if you have to be gone for any length of time.

 

[centrarchid]

Electrified poultry netting can define a larger run for chickens. Wildlife simply needs a little more appropriate cover. Also consider the wildlife is also dispersing to better breeding habitat. My rabbits are doing so after being abundant all winter.

 

[shailey]

I also wanted to mention that my neighbor has a donkey and he does protect his goats but those coyotes are there every other night tormenting the hell out of that donkey.. I think they are just playing with him.

i lost 4 of my ducks, they went out on there little walk around the farm, and never came back, we have a feeling someone stole them, as there was a lady feeding them breed to get them closer to her

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Coyotes are tricksters. Just when you think they have moved on, there they are. I have seen them attack and try to take down a Saint Bernard. And they actually killed my neighbors Rottweiler. They usually hunt in packs, so sometimes you see only the scout. Occasionally, a rogue coyote will come around. Like the one youngster that attacked my rooster, while I was gardening. I was able to chase him off and my rooster survived the attack. They are like rats, you will never eliminate them entirely. I live with them here in the foothills of Southern California. Get a siren, and turn it on, wait a moment...you will hear them start to yip, yap, and howl. They just can't resist that siren! I free range my girls and roo, 2-3 hours a day. But only when I can sit outside and watch them. Right now, we are electrifying the perimeter fence, due to a pair of bobcats. People that come to visit me say, "wow, you are so lucky", "you live in a Shangri-La". I laugh, and say, "Yeah, most of the time it is Shangri-La...then nature reminds me that everything eats something". Sometimes dinner is your beloved pet. Seal off the coop with a hardware cloth covered run, line the ground around the run with more hardware cloth, cover with dirt, so they can't dig in. Don't entirely trust your dogs to protect against these sneaky predators. They basically only fear man, and that's only if they are not rabid.

 

[jakeopatty]

Hi, I'm a chicken farmer and my hens go missing with no trace of feather's what so ever. Can someone help me found out how to stop this!? How can I stop Coyotes if that's what this is!