Yesterday afternoon in broad daylight a coyote grabbed one of my RIR hens while they were free ranging. DH was using the trimmer not 100 yards away! He paused to do something and heard the hens making noise. When he turned around there was a coyote by the coop staring at him, and a pile of red feathers in the lawn.
He waved his arms and yelled at it and it ran away. We've had the chickens for 2 years now, and this is our first run-in with a predator. We spend a lot of time outside and have a dog, so I think though we are surrounded by wooded areas, our property has been a no-entry zone (until yesterday!)
Now I'm worried that they know where the free grub is, and they'll be back. I'm keeping my six remaining girls in the coop for the time being, but I'm wondering, will I ever be able to free range them again? I've read that coyotes are usually nocturnal, and we are vigilant about getting the hens in before dusk. This was about 4 in the afternoon though. During breeding season do they hunt during the day? Chances are there are more pack members around, so even if we bait and shoot one, more will be back, no?
I know that free ranging always comes with a risk. We work hard to minimize that risk, but obviously sometimes these things happen despite our precautions. I strongly believe in free ranging... in giving my ladies a good chicken life, so if at all possible I would like to let them out to free range again. So how much time do I have to let pass for these particular coyotes to move on (if ever)?
Kelli
Now I'm worried that they know where the free grub is, and they'll be back. I'm keeping my six remaining girls in the coop for the time being, but I'm wondering, will I ever be able to free range them again? I've read that coyotes are usually nocturnal, and we are vigilant about getting the hens in before dusk. This was about 4 in the afternoon though. During breeding season do they hunt during the day? Chances are there are more pack members around, so even if we bait and shoot one, more will be back, no?
I know that free ranging always comes with a risk. We work hard to minimize that risk, but obviously sometimes these things happen despite our precautions. I strongly believe in free ranging... in giving my ladies a good chicken life, so if at all possible I would like to let them out to free range again. So how much time do I have to let pass for these particular coyotes to move on (if ever)?
Kelli