Help me sleep better: coyote protection

[RGEISENDORF]

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yes, while I was in the back yard with them - happened twice. I have shot at them, chased them, bought a dog... nothing helps. I free range but only when I am home. For me having them locked up kind of defeated the purpose of having chickens but i have paid the price. Its been better since the neighbor hayed his field removing the place for them to hide but I still see them in the field.

 

[fordmommy]

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If you don't mind, where did you get this? I think alot of people are going to want to know.

 

[fordmommy]

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And this might just be your answer!!!! I think you should look into this.

 

[dtimms]

Is there such a thing as portable electric fence? I will definitely look into it!

 

[dtimms]

What keeps the coyote from jumping over this portable fence any more than my chain link? It's about the same height, just electrified. How does it work?

Not cheap either! I just looked quickly, but it seems to come in large quantities for about $169.99.

 

[gypsy2621]

yes actually a electric sheep fence would work, its light weight and portable, the stakes it comes with are a little weaker than i would like but it is definately a great option, thanks for reminding me.

 

[daryl]

ok Its not all that likely that they will jump your fence, but it is possable,I would be more worried if you hear the howling at night. as a gerural rule coyote only hunt at night but in the winter when food is harder to find they would be more bold. but then you could see tracks in the snow. I would not go to def-con 1 just yet...

 

[dtimms]

No, I've never heard howling. I don't think there's a pack of them, sounds like actually just one was spotted but I guess they don't really travel alone? I know at my friend's farm cats left out at night have a tendency to disappear, but they've never gone in her barn and taken a chicken. Plus she lives on 70 acres in the middle of suburbia, whereas I'm in a neighborhood with no large open area very close by. I always assumed racoons would be a bigger problem for us, which is why I used the 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the run.

They did OK last night and I haven't gotten any update from the nosy neighbor yet...

 

[fordmommy]

You know. It doesn't sound like there is too much of a problem. And you don't have thousands of dollars invested in these chickens. Just a few right? I know that you can get close to them. But what if nothing ever happens and you've done this fence thing and HAVE alot of money in them....

I don't want to sound negitive...please don't take this the wrong way....What if you just wait and see what happens. Maybe nothing ever will or maybe some day you loose them all and THEN you upgrade. After all, I am in an area that is WAY more likeky to have an attack and I am not so worried. Maybe you're just over-reacting to your friends cat being gone, which can just be someone picked it up because they thought it was cute or abandoned or maybe just being a cat. And the puppy could have be the same or even an owl or a hawk or even an eagle.

I think you should sit back and really think hard about how likely an attack would be from coyotes. You do have a St. Benard right? They probably would think twice on jumping a fence with him in because of shear size. It probably won't be worth the time and effert to...find their way to your house...dealing with humans and other dogs..jumping your fence...attack the huge giant...and probably have to deal with humans...and THEN get a small meal AFTER finding a way to dig it out of the ground and through the coop hole. You see what I'm trying to say? Not very likely.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I have my three banties in a dog house turned banty coop/tractor. I like being able to move it every morning 8 ft (length of run) so they have fresh grass, bugs and new place to poo.

I attached 1/2" hardware cloth that aprons out a foot all around the run. I do lock them up in the house at night but still don't want anything digging under trying to get in.

I have a coyote that's been making visits to my pasture in the morning and late afternoon. My aussie has made herself the coyote look out watching the back fence line.

This morning the coyote was out there standing in the middle of the pasture at 7:00 am looking at the big girls run and then looking at a deer that was behind it 20 yards, all the while Missy was barking her high pitched coyote warning.

I ran out after it. Thinking I may need to get something like a pellet gun to get it moving along and not come back.

No signs of it trying to get in the dog kennel run or banty coop/tractor.

OP - If I were you, I'd apron out the hardware cloth so you can continue to use your tractor as a tractor.

I agree the coyote could leap your fence but unlikely with your big dog and his scent there. What is more likely though are coons or possum.

Sounds like you're doing your best to protect your birds as I am. I would feel guilty otherwise.