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

[mmaddie's mom]

Tonight I am heartbroken... I lost my Main Roo, Miracle, about 3 weeks ago and since have lost his favorite wife, Goldie, and their offspring Smudge (just born early spring).
Miracle's son, Yellow Roo, took over for his dad and at first wasn't doing very well leading the flock... but in the last week the hens and pullets had finaly accepted him as the new Main Roo... he was calling them for treats and they were listening to him... he had everyone in the pen before sundown and things were looking really good... he had finally proven himself. Last Friday I sold my extra roos at the sale barn and only kept Yellow Roo and one little golden bird that I think is a roo... boy my timing stinks because tonight I came home to all my hens and babies in the pen but no Yellow Roo to be seen... walked the yard and found what was left of him spread across the side yard. I have never lost so many birds so quickly... I am in shock. Just like his dad he gave his life so that his girls could have enough time to get to safety.
All birds were lost in the afternoon when I was not at home. I am a firm believer in free-range... they are meant to be free. I am sure it is a coyote. My question is this... is there ANY way to rid myself of this predator? I have never seen him. I have a barn cat that I don't want to hurt. What do I do next? I am at a loss. I'm not sure that there is a solution, but thanks for listening to my rant.
diana

 

[ninjascrub69]

if you've never seen it, set a live trap. thats the only thing i can think to do.

 

[panner123]

Get a good dog. Not all dogs are chicken killers. Even the one that I never trust bu herself with the chickens, proved herself today. I came home to a yard full of chickens, I DIDN'T CLOSE THE GATE THIS MORNING. But there laid the dog with the chickens all around her. The only other way is a good electric fence. But if you see the predator, let Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson talk to it.

 

[belknap89]

I can feel your pain. Tonight just 1 hour ago I was just getting ready to go and close up the hen house for the night when I heard a loud commotion. I ran down to the coop closing the little door first and reached in the front door and yanked the light on. My speckled bamtam and her three 2-week old babies were missing. One red sex link also missing. Then I saw the raccoon inside a laying bin. Still no carcasses! he was trying to get out thru the little door that I closed. I backed out and yelled at him, then went to get a flashlight and bat. The other 8 adults were still huddled on their roosts. When I came back with the light and bat the raccoon was gone and I still found no signs of carcass. I have heard that they are known to drag bodies and I'm pretty sure that at least one baby didn't escape alive. I just hope that some did get out to hide in the hedgerow until morning.

 

[MissJenny]

Like panner123, my first thought is to get a dog. My two dogs are great with my chickens. They are not babies -- they are older and have been able to see the chicks since they were babies but only got to be in the same area with them since the babies were nearly full grown. At this point I can leave them alone together for extended periods of time with complete confidence that the dogs both think of the chickens as part of their pack.

If you don't already have a dog, I would seek out a larger breed (anything knee-high or larger) that is in the four to six year age range. Steer clear of collies (border collies, shelties, regular collies) or sporting breeds.

Just having a dog there will deter most coyotes, which are solitary animals -- wolves are pack animals, coyotes hunt alone. The point is, your dog would be one on one with a lone coyote, not a pack.

It's something to consider.

In addition, I am so sorry for your losses -- this has been devastating for you. Big hugs.

Jenny

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Quote:
So, so sorry... hope you find all of your babies in the morning. Please let us know.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Quote:
Generally speaking, coyotes wont go into a live trap. Our dogs are the best deterent that we have.

I'm doing battle with a demon coon right now and the dratted thing is winning.

Good luck!!

 

[belknap89]

ok mmaddie's mom, I'll give you an update in the morning. I usually let them run free in this hot weather with normally no problems during the day. Figures he got in when it was dark for just 1 hour.

 

[badwolf7914]

Quote:
I had the same issue yesterday after the commotion yesterday. I found 1 dead hen some hiding in the coop, and one wet running scared. The rest were missing. No feathers or anything. One showed up 30 min later, one showed up that afternoon, and the last one missing showed up this morning waiting at the gate.

 

[spottedtail]

Ideally, we want chickens to be able to free range without risk from predators.
But in reality, that's impossible. Losses will come someday.
So if these free range losses are truly unacceptable, the hens will require protection in a secure run.
In a secure run or coop, you can defend against all comers (except human).

I think it's basically a choice between free ranging hens often meeting a violent death, or protected hens enjoying security and a long life.

Sorry about your losses.

spot