coyote vs dog, can you tell?

[sugarjax06]

On Saturday morning we lost 10 of our chickens...3 were missing completely, 1 body had an eaten neck, another bodies abdomen was eaten some, the rest were just killed but untouched. We suspected a dog since it seems like a lot were killed for fun and they were all over the yard. Why didn't they run into the coop?? I didn't go out to the yard until about 9am so it could have happened right at dawn. We were left with a couple mommies and babies that are separated in an enclosure with a higher fence plus 2 broodies and 2 other chickens.

Monday morning when I came back from the store around 10:30am, one chicken was missing, one of my sweet broodies was completely eaten except a little feather pile. The other hen was out and about, untouched plus the broody was safe. My neighbor found a body in weeds as he was mowing the lawn.

Does this sound like a dog or coyote? We live in an area that has coyotes around but they would be coming into a very populated area during the morning hours. We've had the chickens free ranging with this same set up for over a year and haven't lost a single chicken. So sad that almost everyone is gone or dead. I don't want to get more chickens until we know what happened - too much money to replace everyone and then have them killed again

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I would guess a dog. Usually coyotes would take all their kills, not just a couple "snacks".

I am sorry for yout loss

 

[Judy]

Actually I would guess coyote, sounds very much like what happened here due to coyotes (seen by neighbor) a while back. Dogs kill but generally don't eat. I lost 5 but had 14 left, hiding. Possible that our dog ran/scared the coyote off.

Their tracks are quite different -- there was one good track and after I Googled I knew it was coyote, before talking to the neighbor (nothing he could have done.)

 

[MysticScorpio82]

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Good point. Thank you for posting your experience too, definately helps others (including myself) learn.

 

[sugarjax06]

Anyone else have a vote? My husband is going to talk to the neighbor tonight but if he knows that his dogs did it and hasn't said anything so far, I doubt he would be honest about it.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

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So sorry about your chickens. I vote dog, a coyote would run off with it's kill. My neighbor didn't believe it when she got the phone call about her dog killing and maiming over a 1/4 of my laying hens. When she came to get him, though, she couldn't deny all the blood and feathers plastered to his face. It's hard for a lot of dog owners to swallow the fact that their beloved pet terrorized and killed other animals. By the way, that dog did rip some of the birds open, one bite and shake was enough to open up the rib cage and abdomen. The rest had broken necks and hug puncture wounds on their backs and thighs.

My poor babies! All because she never checked the batteries in her dogs collar.

 

[sugarjax06]

Well it seems that the coyotes are the offenders here. Talked with neighbor and he said that his dogs didn't bring any home and there weren't any feathers in his yard but he a week ago his dogs went crazy outside and he came out and saw coyotes in his neighbors yard. He talked to animal control about it already but of course they aren't really going to be able to do anything about it.

I guess the surprising part to me was that they didn't just take a few or eat a few on site but killed a bunch. We think that they may have gone into the coop and scared them out? Or it was really early in the morning which means they are very brave to come up to houses like that! Guess it is back to closing them up tight at night and then making them wait on us to come out in the morning.

Thanks for your input!

 

[birdygirl123]

No I say Coyote...I have quite a few buddies that hunt Coyote. One use to raise goats and chickens.. . Coyotes would come in and kill .. eat some and leave them. Know for a fact it was Coyotes.. spotted them, he shot a few, and caught some in snares..

IMO dogs will kill more for sport then for food..

I might add that the friend of mine lived in a pretty congested area.. many houses all around him.. That was in Ohio..

Out at Ft. Irwin CA.. , I saw them come right into base housing in the middle of the day..

More Importantly, something is killing your chickens.. !.. YIKES.. I hope you find whatever it is!..

 

[birdygirl123]

HHAHAHA.. I think my fingers were going at the same time as yours!.. I do hope you get them!...

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[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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Good point. Thank you for posting your experience too, definately helps others (including myself) learn.

THIS IS A MYTH. I see it over and over. GENERALLY they probably won't eat much of them and do kill for sport, but I have seen and OWN a dog that will kill a chicken and sit down and eat the entire thing feathers and all...