Coyote/wolf issue...possible fencing ideas?

[rottlady]

took dog out to pee and there was a Red Fox. About 100 feet from the chicken tractor. Brought dog in and went back out with gun,to see what it was up to and it was mousing. It ran a little bit away but as soon as out of direct line of sight went back to mousing, caught a vole and ran back to the woods with it
HAD my chickens been loose/free ranging Fox lunch would have been different I suspect

 

[centrarchid]

I am seeing a Red Fox very regularly even with dogs. Fox is getting small rodents and bunnies. When it gets in where chickens see it they produce alarm and dogs run in after it. Fox will not respect dogs until they almost catch which will happen at some point. If it commits to chasing a chicken then dogs are likely to catch from behind.

 

[tlouiselle]

Thank you guys. I know that nothing is 100%. We are securing the runs this weekend. I am going to put electric around them as well. I have expensive silkies that stay in their run at all times since we moved here. They are not happy with me at all right now lol. They are used to freedom from where we used to live. Everyone gets locked in the houses at night but I want to feel comfortable with their runs during the day too. I still want to put fencing along the property line to help deter though. We need to protect our little dogs (they have a small fenced off portion in the yard but a coyote can jump it no problem). I am going to figure out a safe plan to let the egg laying chickens (I am down to 1 mature egg layer that is non silkie. She is an escape artist and in a playpen in the house until the runs are completed) out for some "playtime" as well for when I am there with them to keep watch.

As far as coyote vs. wolves here...we are most likely dealing with large coyotes. Wolves are protected. Coyotes are fair game. People have seen black bear here but they are rare. They claim that the panthers are extinct here...but they are in other states, I don't doubt that they can travel. Mankind can't keep tabs on Mother Nature at all times. The wolves are supposedly collared and far east of us...however I know someone who is certain she saw one west of us. She spoke with a ranger who has also seen them west of us. We ordered a trail camera to see what we are really dealing with so we know the safest option.

We are also getting a larger dog. I have always wanted a doberman and am on the hunt for one. As far as running off coyotes...I don't know how well one would do.

Chickens have definately made me stronger. I hate to kill anything. But im choosing my fur/feathered babies over these predators. As long as they don't suffer, I have no problem with removing them.