Coyote killing my flock & need help (in NJ) UPDATE

[woodmort]

Quote:
.22 might be a bit light for an Eastern coyote and leg hold traps are illegal in most eastern states.

 

[CT_Todd]

there's a trend in what everyone is saying and it comes down to 2 things that you need to defend whats yours from the predators...

A gun and a livestock dog...bigger the better...Feeding the dog, just think of it as the price you pay for peace of mind....

I am new to the whole chicken thing, but live in a pretty rural area of CT (Hebron) and my 2 acres back up to woods so I am builidng a very large run and as secure as possible and do no intend to let them free range for that reason...Good luck.

 

[jjthink]

You want to get rid of them ? You can shoot, poison, trap, and kill every one you see and a new one will simply take its place. In response to low numbers, they simply breed more. The answer in my opinion is to keep your birds cooped, make sure there is nothing for the coyotes to eat, like pet food and mice and rats, put in electric fence, rescue a " livestock dog " such as a Great Pyrenees that can handle itself and has an instinct to guard, not eat, and generally accept varmits as a "cost of doing business." I spend more money to build sturdier pens, but in the long run save money by losing less poultry. .

Ditto the above.
Predator proofing is the only long term solution. Unfortunate, because it would be nice to free range, but chickens are just too high on the wanted list for hungry carnivores. A great big run that includes shady areas takes away a lot of the worry and still provides interest for the birds. There is the initial expense but there won't be the losses or the need for constant vigil or the need to kill again and again and again.

JJ​

 

[mrszlopez]

i agree that the only solution is to completely predator proof everything. im still going to report, & i dont think i could live with myself for killing one. so i will leave it up to the fish & game dept. whatever they decide to do is what will stick.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
.22 might be a bit light for an Eastern coyote and leg hold traps are illegal in most eastern states.

coil spring traps ( leg hold is a misnomer) are not legal in Jersey about all jersey has left is snares and live traps most trappers up that way use snares. Predator proofing is only half the battle, trapping and shooting on a regular basis is the other half exclusion only goes so far try weasel/snake proofing a pen/run after an area has been trapped properly and pest's dispatched it has been my experience it remains predator free for approximately 6-10 months this happens on a regular basis here where I solve predator problems for folks.
( a lot of work can be done on pens and runs in 1/2 year)

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
.22 might be a bit light for an Eastern coyote and leg hold traps are illegal in most eastern states.

So what's a good gun to buy that doesn't cost a fortune. I don't want to spend much because I don't hunt, so I doubt that I'd have any other use for it other than coyotes and other predators.
BTW, the coyotes that I see are usually down by the creek about 350 feet from the house.

 

[nnbreeder]

Get a 12 gauge pump shotgun it can be used for both home protection and predator control. But you will need to go out and practice with it as you would a rifle or pistol.

 

[aprophet]

company call NEF has a line of single shots that will not break the bank you are limited to a ingle shot but with a little practice that is all you need you may have to google New England Firearms try googling H&R too
I use .22 rimfire on yotes I am usually close to them if you are past 50 yards I would use a minimum of .22 magnum, .22 hornet would be better .222 , .223 .243 would be even better

 

[Debbi]

You can also try your local Pawn Shop. There are usually lots of good condition rifles, shotguns, and handguns to be had there for a fraction of their original cost. Every gun I own came from a pawn, except for my handgun.

 

[33yardbirds]

Quote:
.22 might be a bit light for an Eastern coyote and leg hold traps are illegal in most eastern states.

So what's a good gun to buy that doesn't cost a fortune. I don't want to spend much because I don't hunt, so I doubt that I'd have any other use for it other than coyotes and other predators.
BTW, the coyotes that I see are usually down by the creek about 350 feet from the house.

Right now I am using my daughters Remington 870 pump in .20 gauge with a fully rifled slug barrel. With a Sabot copper hollow point and a 4x scope 150 yards is a gimme. Sturdy Firearm at a resonable price. Also have a Remington 11-87 Auto .12 gauge set up the same but do to a rebuilt shoulder I have to use the .20 guage