Coyotes?

[jenaree]

We came home after 2 nights away from home and our 4 chickens were gone. All that was left was one ripped up body and a leg, which of course my 6 year old found. We are hesitant to replace the chickens until we can deal with the predator, which we are pretty sure is a coyote based on the hair we found in the chicken wire. We have had a live trap out baited with various things (liver, a muskrat we trapped and killed from our pond and last night we used a chicken body that showed up in our yard. (We determined it was from our neighbor who has been losing chickens lately too). The trap was dragged to the wood line near the coop and the chicken body was eaten out of it from the back of the cage. We apparently have a Wiley Coyote that we are dealing with. Any experience with coyotes and tips about the best way to deal with them?

 

[1stACT]

I am dealing with the very same predator. I look forward to seeing what other people do regarding catching them!

 

[scottygvsu]

Coyotes are tough to trap. If you don't have any foothold traps or fur trapping experience, I'd find someone who does. You may get a pup in a cage trap but you'll never get a mature coyote in one. If you're the diy type, get a few #2 double coil spring foothold traps with swivels on the chains. Make some rebar stakes for the traps to hold them in place. You'll have to boil the traps to get the scent off of them before you put them ut.

 

[scottygvsu]

Whoops!! To finish my post, I'd get another muskrat and put it in the coop or run with only one way in. Make the access too easy to pass up. Set your traps around the carcass in a way that the coyote has to step on a trap to get to it. Cover the traps with dirt or grass being sure not to foul the pan. Your coyote knows there's any easy meal at your place and shouldn't be too bashful about coming back for seconds. remember though that they are not dumb and you must camouflage your sets. I hope you catch the culprit and can get to work rebuilding your flock!

 

[Howard E]

Can you post a picture of your coop?

There may be a way to rig the coop itself as the live trap you need to catch this guy.