heart broken... coyote... my final say

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

I have nothing to offer but empathy, we lost my oldest and first chicken to a bobcat yesterday afternoon. He grabbed her in broad daylight, right around the side of the porch from where my husband and I were standing.

I'm with you, I'm a firm believer in free ranging, but its still so hard to lose one. Good luck with your predator search!

 

[pearl287]

I was having a terrible problem with foxes taking down my roosters in broad daylight. My uncle an old time cattle farmer told me to get a donkey. Coyotes were getting all his young calves and that did the trick for him. I thought he was out of his mind, but it was the best thing I've ever done. He is the sweetest thing, but if anything steps foot in his area he is after it (including the cat or the neighbors dog).

I feel your pain

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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I have been following your thread... wow, the boldness of that attack!
Good Luck with your solution, also.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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With only an acre, this probably wouldn't work for us... but I've always wanted one and when we move off the grid and have more room, this will be another great reason to get one!

 

[bragabit]

The USDA has government trappers that are PAID to kill/trap coyotes, bears, cougars or others pests that are harming or killing livestock. All you have to do is make a phone call!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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GREAT! I will do this!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Have a call in to the USDA, but am getting a bit of the run-around finding the RIGHT department. People are nice enough, but no one seems to know WHO i need to talk to.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Pasturing your chickens isn't cruel. Horses, cows, all other forms of farm livestock are pastured (i.e. fenced/penned in) for their SAFETY. CAGING birds for their entire life is what is cruel. Keeping them in a pen where they can scratch the earth, feel the sun, eat bugs and plants, that also provides security from unmentionable predators that will always be lurking....there is NOTHING wrong with that. You should take every precaution against these predators. It isn't fair to you or your birds to continue to provide an easy meal to them. A guard dog is a great idea...but should not be a puppy.

I hope you find a solution to your problems. Sorry for your losses.

 

[jjthinkagain]

Please don't use antifreeze. Awful way to die and indiscriminate in its victims. While it migt be possible to keep a pet indoors there are all manner of other innocents that could happen by and be inadvertently killed.
JJ

 

[bragabit]

mmaddie's mom :

Have a call in to the USDA, but am getting a bit of the run-around finding the RIGHT department. People are nice enough, but no one seems to know WHO i need to talk to.

Let me see if I can help. What state are you in?? My FIL is a trapper and I can ask him for the number.​