Mutt Farm
Songster
Ditto that. Coyotes are skilled stealth killers. Please don't beat yourself up. You can't predict the first attack. I'm so sorry you lost 2 hens.Don't be so hard on yourself, I have a neighbor who keeps his in tractors, the coyotes have ripped open his pens and ate most of his meat birds. You'll have to keep them locked up now because they will keep coming back unfortunately. They got a bunch of my favorite birds a few years ago, my husband was finally able to get a shot at them, thankfully we haven't seen them since, but I know it's just hit and miss, sorry, they seem to take the good ones.
Ditto dat too. Out here, we have packs of brazen coyotes and singles. I hear them screaming most every night. They hop fences and kill dogs and cats in subdivisions. My neighbors learned too late. 1 missing chicken, a few days passed, a few more, then the pack came in and killed the entire flock plus 8 turkeys and his chihuahua. They absolutely will case, then snatch a snack in broad daylight.I'm so sorry for your loss.
Yes, that coyote does look skinny and hungry. It will keep returning until it is unable to get anymore dinner at your place. Have you considered electric poultry fencing? That would give them room to roam and keep them safe. I find it is very effective against most predators, with the exception of the airborne ones.
ETA - From what I understand, coyotes will case their prey at night, and return during the day for the kill.
^^^X3 on electric fence. And a burro! Those buggars will stomp the dickens out of a predator. Geese? as an alarm? Coyote will be back. Hope he doesn't need to die from lead poisoning, but it is what it is to protect your flock. Best of luck, please keep us posted.Electric fencing is a very important part of chicken and poultry keeping in my opinion. I hope that coyote gets a couple of shocks and is on his way! Also, donkeys and llamas can help protect animals from predators, especially canines!