coyotes stalking my hens

[sourland]

@PirateGirl, I would be concerned that a coyote exhibiting that sort of behavior was rabid. Hopefully the neighbor's dog has received rabies shots. Such behavior as you have described is extreme even in habituated coyotes.

 

[aart]

today his barking a long time at one spot of the fence brought me to see him flush out a limping old coyote who had layed up in the hay about 3 feet outside the fence. he limped off, but a few hours later I saw movement in the hay and saw him creeping in, about 50 yards off, eyeing my hens

Wonders if this is the decoy 'yote.....and others of the pack are sneaking up from another side. At least secure your coop.

 

[PirateGirl]

@PirateGirl, I would be concerned that a coyote exhibiting that sort of behavior was rabid. Hopefully the neighbor's dog has received rabies shots. Such behavior as you have described is extreme even in habituated coyotes.

My husband and I actually talked about that. Our animals are up to date on vaccinations and we plan to keep them away from the neighbor dog as well to be safe. I feel the coyotes have gotten progressively bolder this past year and it is not safe. These are not the first instances, but the most extreme. There was a group of 3 that hung around for like a month at the beginning of summer and would stalk my chickens and went after another large neighborhood dog, black lab. It may be time to try to involve DOW. I think I will speak to my other neighbor this week, he is a local sheriff and should be able to offer some sound advice.

 

[TwistedSteel]

Maybe your sheriff neighbor shares your concern about the coyotes and the three of ya`ll can come up with a plan to lure the coyotes using a penned chicken to a nearby spot where it is safe to take a shot with a subsonic or suppressed 22lr. Or maybe some type of leghold trap. The paintball gun cranked up to about 320 fps will discourage him for only a little while unless you can hit him in the eye.

 

[llombardo]

I use my GSDs as deterrents along with an electric fence. The only difference is that my 3 GSDs do not bark at everything, so when they do bark I know I know something is out there for sure and I investigate. My older male keeps all Opposums and raccoons in the trees. They start to scoot down and he hits the fence hard and they scoot back up. I witness this almost nightly.

You know that your chickens are not secure, so why wouldn't you make them secure? It sounds like there are many coyotes and most like other predators.

 

[aart]

I use my GSDs as deterrents along with an electric fence. The only difference is that my 3 GSDs do not bark at everything, so when they do bark I know I know something is out there for sure and I investigate. My older male keeps all Opposums and raccoons in the trees. They start to scoot down and he hits the fence hard and they scoot back up. I witness this almost nightly.

Are they out there 24/7?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Praying for a good aim steady hands a clean shot.
And lots of dead coyotes!!!

 

[rod5591]

what kinds of electric fence would be good for raccoons, fox, coyotes, etc?

 

[llombardo]

Are they out there 24/7?

We are moving in that direction. I rotate them. At night from 9pm until 5:30am the older male GSD and older golden have access to go in and out. The GSD tends to just stay out there. He will come and get me if he spots something. Very rarely barks, in fact the other night was the first time I heard him barking and it was an oppossum. From 530 to 7am and 6-9 pm my female GSD is out there on her own. Today I came home later for lunch and she was out there from 3pm-6pm. In spring and fall when temps are good and it's not raining, she will be outside during the day while I'm at work. The yard itself is fully fenced 6 ft vinyl and all gates have locks on them. I will be putting up cameras so I can watch everything.

So we definetly have coverage during all dark times. The electric fence is on 24/7, so I rely on that right now during the day while it's cold. I will not leave my dogs out in the elements. I've even put up something similiar to those freezer strips on the back door, so that door is open for them to come in.

The male GSD has a nose on him like you wouldn't believe with exceptional hearing. On the rare occasion that he is in the house on the couch I've saw him fly off the couch to get out there. I don't hear what he hears but he is never wrong.

I also notice that if he is in the house and Prince the rooster sees or hears something he will crow until either the dog or me get out there...in those cases it's usually both of us.

We certainly work as a team.

 

[llombardo]

what kinds of electric fence would be good for raccoons, fox, coyotes, etc?

I think it depends on the size of the area you want to cover. Right now I have a 5 mile for a 25x25 area. It gives enough of a jolt to keep 80 pound dogs away completely. One shock was enough for every one of my dogs(even a very high prey drive persistent husky/greyhound). Once I saw him back off I was satisfied, nothing deters him. I set it up and tested it all of them. I would like to go slightly higher in voltage down the road