Coyotes!

[sudolph]

I lost 6 of 15 today to a coyote, according to my renter who saw the culprit race over the fence when she raised the window shade. Funny thing though, 5 dead but only two with skin broken and I wouldn't even say partially eaten. The other three were just dead, one totally gone. Is that typical coyote MO? I thought only dogs killed like that. I mean, this was in the backyard of the house. However, we did have a visual ID.

I see the pee thing mentioned here, and some say it really works. Please assure me. My chickens run in a BIG back yard with a 6 foot stockade fence. I don't live at the place, college renters do, and this is a pretty populated area of 1 to 20 acre tracks - obviously, not populated enough. Dogs off leash outside the yard are not allowed.

I do have men who can pee, though, if that will help. Please advise.

Sudolph

 

[CarlaRiggs]

No, the urine thing doesn't work. I've purchased expensive coyote/wild cat urine at the gardening store. The smell is utterly disgusting to me, but apparently not to animals.
Don't waste your money.

Carla

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:
WHAT?! Coyote urine and cat urine are ONLY to keep things like bunny rabbits out of your garden.
Like ANY canine, you put down coyote urine and you're just inviting ANOTHER one to mark OVER it to reclaim HIS territory. If a strange dog marks on an already marked territory, the "owner" who did the original marking will simply mark on, or next to it. He is saying "HEY, THIS IS MINE. YOU STAY OUT!!" Thats why if a human pees on a spot its the same as telling the coyote this territory is already claimed.

 

[TeaLady]

I've heard it helps if the pee is from a meat-eater instead of a vegetarian. You want the pee to say, "a big carnivore lives here -- lots bigger than YOU."

 

[birdy_num_nums]

What would be a better fencing to put over the top other than chicken wire?

My setup will be: yard fenced with 5ft no-climb livestock fencing, chicken pen is 6ft chain-link dog run panels. I plan on wiring on chicken wire all along the bottom of the panels, digging it down (in PP I saw one foot down, then one foot out- will this be sufficient?) and out. I had planned on wiring lengths of chicken wire across the top to make a 'solid' ceiling of chicken wire to keep out hawks, owls, ravens, etc. I had hoped that might deter or at least discourage coyotes and bobcat? Sounds like chicken wire will be too whimpy? Suggestions for a stronger alternative that I'll still be able to suspend across (approx. 6ft) and wire to the panels?

So I can expect coyotes to be able to leap over my fence for the yard? And sounds like they would be able to dig under pretty handily, too? Ug, it almost sounds as if the fencing won't do much in the way of keeping anything other than rabbits out. I hope to at least slow threats down... or is even that wishing for too much?

*Is* there any proofing against bobcat? At this point I'm even worried about my coop itself (yet to be designed and built, but in the process as chicks are a few weeks old; still in their brooder but growing fast). Will stick frame construction and plywood walls keep out bobcat?

My plan also is to make as much of a fortress for my girls as the budget will allow, then make CERTAIN that they are locked up every single evening as soon as they go in to roost. If we have plans to leave the house we'll leave them in their coop (not let them out in the morning or scoot them in early before we leave). They'll be able to do their chicken thing in their pen on normal days. I'll let them out into the larger yard only with direct supervision, only with humans in the yard *with them*.

And what is the final verdict on the human urine? Does it keep away or help to keep away coyotes or not? Would it have much of an effect on bobcat? Does the urine have to be from a male? Does the urine have to be from an adult? (I'm thinking my children and I could all be out there peeing if it will help.)

 

[Miltonchix]

From what I can tell, peeing everywhere seems to work on most predators. DOES NOT work for cats or dogs. They are too accustomed to human smells.

My female German Shepherd marks her territory all the time. She just has to squat to do it.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

I can't believe human urine would work.... coyotes around my neck of the woods don't have one iota of fear for humans. They have been known to grab toddlers by the head while in the back yard and attempt to cart them up into the hills. And this with parents throwing lawn chairs and attacking the coyote itself. When I've been walking in the early morning, still dark, the coyotes will cross the street to avoid me. But they stand staring, sizing me up.

Very unpleasant feeling, let me tell you!
There are already lots of human smells in the yard, and on the chickens' set up; coyotes aren't afraid. Period.
As for the chicken wire, just purchase the stuff that is 18 or 19 gauge wire. It's heavy, and can't be torn into. If you'll be putting it on top, make sure that you have at least 2x2s along the top to support the wire. These should run perpendicular to the frame itself.
Your idea of digging down, then out with the wire is going to be a LOT of trouble.

But an excellent idea.

Carla

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:
Your local coyotes are probably too desensitised to human smells for human pee to work. If you have coyotes that are that unafraid of people you should NOT walk without some kind of protection. I know 2 people personnally who have been attacked by packs of coyotes. If they hadn't been armed (in one case) or had BIG dogs nearby both would have at the very least been mauled, at worst killed. These were adults too, not small kids. If they out number you, you're now prey. A .22 caliber weapon would just work to piss 'em off. .38 cal or bigger hand gun should do it.

 

[Heidina]

Almost afraid to write this, but we've been lucky so far. Our whole yard is fenced with chain link (which I have my hub pee the perimeter around the coop when he's out there), and the free range area with wood. And then there's the chicken fortress run where they go in at night, and then we lock them down in the coop when it starts to get dark (Don't let them out until around 6 or 6:30 so the rooster noise is also contained in the early hours). There is occasion when they stay in the run overnight, which is covered in small chicken wire.

I do feel that the human pee around the free range yard has helped to keep coyotes out, as we know they're around in the woods adjacent. Or, maybe it's the combo of St Franny and the pee!

 

[Mattake2]

Quote:
This is a very effective method for me too.