Coyotes....Hawks...AAAARRRRG!!!

[Land of Lost Toys]

This past week every time I say, "I'm going outside to let the chickens range while I (fill in the blank) so I can keep an eye on them, I see a Hawk sitting in the tree near the chicken coop and run. He takes off when he sees me, but it's really ticking me off because I know I can't let them range when I'm not out there.

Today, on my relaxing Sunday morning, we have breakfast with eggs from the STORE because my chickens have given us none...they've already been named, BBQ, Sandwich, Paprikash, and Fried because if they don't lay eggs that's what they'll be.

Anyhow, I just get ready to say, "I'm going to go outside to let the chickens out and read the paper while they are out" when I look outside and see the biggest coyote I have ever seen! HUGE....this thing had to be close to 60 pounds... It was the size of a german shepard!

Hubby got the gun and tried to get it...but no luck. The only times I've ever actually seen the coyotes seems to be between 9-10am...today was 9:15am.

I think I'll take the gun with me and go out with the chickens to read the paper...as a matter of fact, I think I'll ALWAYS carry the gun with me...just in case.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I know what you mean. I have 4 acres but don't free range without me out watching because I too have red tail, coyote and occasionally bald eagles.

There's lots of preditors out there that want chicken dinner.

How old are your girls? Did they lay in the past and recently stopped laying?

Could they be laying where your not finding the eggs?

 

[Land of Lost Toys]

Haven't layed yet....just 19 weeks old. We keep looking though...every day...all day long. Getting excited.

 

[cgmccary]

Oh mine don't start laying until about 24 weeks and late summer hatches' pullets don't begin to lay until 30-34 weeks (which I like better because they develop more fully & mature better). Those pullets of mine that get to grow first become the best layers.

I have plenty of Red Tails & Cooper's hawks and NEITHER bother my chickens. I also have a pair of Barred Owls, and they leave the chickens alone as well.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I'm having the same problem... hawks and coyotes.

How to manage with them is hard... any thoughts?

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Livestock Guardian Dogs. Look into English Shepherds or Maremmas, those are my 2 favorites. Most of mine have been rescues, they have the instinct to do the work, you just need to bond them to the stock.

 

[Sappy]

Quote:
Hawks - A buddy of mine is a Falconer. If you can find a falconer, or Falconry club in your area, those guys can trap and relocate raptors for you. Sometimes, in fact, they'll be eager to do so if there's a guy who needs a new bird and it's during the season where they can trap and keep a raptor to hunt with. (I'm not sure what season they're allowed to do that but I think it's fall/winter).

Coyotes - Savage makes a dandy .223 bolt action, complete with a decent scope already mounted on it, for just under 500 bucks. I broke in my barrel when it was brand new by shooting once, cleaning til the patches are clean... repeat 10 times. Then shoot 5 and clean til the patches come out clean another 10 times. My rifle can shoot a 1" group at 200 yards with me handling it, therefore IT is capable of better than that. Very impressive for 500 bucks. They also have a great trigger, and are built tough.

There are several websites on the net now that have wav/mp3 files for predator calls. You can download mp3s of guys with calls making the sounds of wounded cottontails, coyotes pups, etc. Set yourself up with an mp3 player and your rifle in a secluded spot where you have your chickens, or nearby, and play some of those predator calls to call them in. There's a guy in California who has a great website for coyote hunting, www.varmintal.com

I know not everyone chooses to shoot predators and such, but if you live in some rural areas, they really do get overpopulated and cause problems. Likewise, feral dogs can be a big problem too. Only one way to solve that.

 

[skeeter9]

We have tons of Red Tail and Cooper's hawks around here and they never bother my birds, but the coyotes are a real problem. We don't have our 2 huge dogs anymore, so the coyotes are getting bolder by the day. At night huge packs of them come right up near our yard and start their howling, yipping, etc. Not a pleasant sound!! I'm liking the recorded prey sounds idea!!!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
What's up with all the yipping anyway? I have 45 acres of woods next to me that the coyotes hang out in.

Occasionally, they will come to my pasture and carry on with the howling and yipping.

Does the yipping mean they got something to eat or what?

 

[Redwood Forest Bantams]

Quote:
I am a falconer, and it is illegal for a falconer to trap outside of the designated trapping season (different for each state). True that in many cases there maybe a falconer looking for a bold bird that isnt afraid of humans as is the case with many of the juvenille Cooper's that hang out looking for an easy banty meal.