I was sitting here looking though today's threads when I had a panicked sister get me to scare off the coyotes! Thankfully we had put up flood lights last weekend. Not so fortunate that they still hadn't been adjusted to focus properly on the coop and adjacent field. Tonight I was able to scare them off with lots of banging and the unadjusted lights flashing on. I spent the last half hour hanging out outside with some scared babies. Midnight snacks always make me feel better (thankfully I had a few worms stored away for the morning treats). Then trying to adjust the light to the best of my ability... I think the location I chose wasn't the best but it still worked. This time. Any suggestions on things to scare off Coyotes minus weapons? Will bells on the fencing work as a startle and deterrent? Any other tips would be welcome!
yikes... trouble is that now they know where there are chickens... minus a .17(+) -I'd recommend a Llama, or a reaaally snotty pony (I had a brilliant shetland that LOVED to mow over strange dogs, foxes and coyotes... she was a treasure!). -Coyotes will gang up on a dog, so unless you plan to get one of those big nasty sheep herd watchdogs, it might not be the right answer either Or... -get a live trap, and relocate them yourself -hire a professional trapper who can use rubber leg traps and safely relocate them without harming them -put up a tall game fence that is buried and has electric 'hot' wire at a couple of height intervals starting quite low... Good Luck!!
Are they locked in the coop at night? If not they should be. In order to keep the coyotes out we had to put up strands of electric fence, we have not had losses since (they ate a lamb and six chickens in one night), but they still come to the fence and watch and wait for weakness remembering there is food here. We thought about getting a livestock guardian dog but opted for a donkey instead, he is the best animal we have ever gotten. When the dogs are going crazy in the middle of the night (very distinct bark when it's the coyotes at the fence) donkey starts pacing the fence, waiting for them to make a move, he is amazing and fearless. That is not an option for everybody so your best defense is locking up chickens and electric fence around the coop so they can't dig in. I am sure you already know this but chicken wire will not keep them out, it needs to be hardware cloth for the run/coop.
