This morning my husband let the flock out of their coop and into their chainlinked yard where the two giant pekin ducks live.
We have an aviary in the chicken yard with 4 bantams and 2 male guineas (3 mos old).
We have 15 pullets and an old bantam rooster in the coop.
I have been waiting for the 15 pullets to start laying (16 wks old).
My husband came back inside and 20 minutes later I heard the old roo squawking like a hen had just laid an egg. The guineas started going nuts, the ducks started frantic quacking, the new bantam roo started a growling noise.
I ran out toward the coop and saw that the flock were all huddled near the yard fence stretching their necks looking in the same direction. I followed their gaze and saw movement in the creosote bushes.
I made out a dog shape. I hollered "Dog in the yard!" to my husband. He grabbed the shotgun.
It moved behind the coop and when it came back in sight I made out a coyote and relayed that message to hubby. Large healthy coyote for our area.
The whole yard exploded in noise. Our guineas and roosters went wild.
We did not get a shot at it
before it left our 5' chainlinked 2.5 acre yard.
Just a reminder to everyone to pay attention to your animals. Get to know their alarm calls and watch their body language. And grab your gun just in case.
This coyote will be back and we know he has been here before.
And yes, guinea fowl DO alarm to predators and roosters DO too.
We have an aviary in the chicken yard with 4 bantams and 2 male guineas (3 mos old).
We have 15 pullets and an old bantam rooster in the coop.
I have been waiting for the 15 pullets to start laying (16 wks old).
My husband came back inside and 20 minutes later I heard the old roo squawking like a hen had just laid an egg. The guineas started going nuts, the ducks started frantic quacking, the new bantam roo started a growling noise.
I ran out toward the coop and saw that the flock were all huddled near the yard fence stretching their necks looking in the same direction. I followed their gaze and saw movement in the creosote bushes.
I made out a dog shape. I hollered "Dog in the yard!" to my husband. He grabbed the shotgun.
It moved behind the coop and when it came back in sight I made out a coyote and relayed that message to hubby. Large healthy coyote for our area.
The whole yard exploded in noise. Our guineas and roosters went wild.
We did not get a shot at it
Just a reminder to everyone to pay attention to your animals. Get to know their alarm calls and watch their body language. And grab your gun just in case.
This coyote will be back and we know he has been here before.
And yes, guinea fowl DO alarm to predators and roosters DO too.
