I lost all of my chicken flock between 3 and 5 am this morning (close to 30). I saw them on my security footage once I went outside and all I saw were feathers everywhere and no chicken to be seen. I have been warned they will return as they have found a food source. I have obtained a predator control permit so I can shoot them if need be. However, my concern is that if they come back and I kill one or more, will the rest of the pack come? My ducks are ok but I am very concerned they will be their next target. I have a dog but we have been sick and he usually barks at an armadillo that has taken up residence here and he wasnt barking more than usual so I just went back to sleep. I will not make that mistake again. I am glad he did not confront them as he probably would have been killed. Any tips? Thanks yall!!
Hi, I lost my entire chicken flock early this morning to a pair of coyotes. I have been warned they will be back. Any tips? TY!
- Thread starter saryahj
- Start date
Sorry to hear this 
Only suggestion I have is to build well fortified run area. If coyotes cant get access, they move on to other areas.
I know hunger is a determined driving force.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and
Only suggestion I have is to build well fortified run area. If coyotes cant get access, they move on to other areas.
I know hunger is a determined driving force.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and
- Thread starter
- #3
Hi and sorry for the loss of your flock!
What a horrible thing to wake up to!
O dont know in what part of the world you are writting from but here in northern michigan I would quickly loose every chicken I had if I did not secure them every night in a locked coop.
My coop is secure against all local preditors except a bear. A determined bear could probably figure out a way in by smashing his way in.
Your dog may have known he was outnumbered and laid low. A smart dog will do that to preserve his life. The more brave and ignorant one run out into the fray and get torn to pieces. Coyote can be part of packs numbering over 6 or 10. A single dog is no match.
And killing all the preditors is also unlikely as its enormously hard and counter productive as nature needs preditors to keep prey populations in check. You know a red fox diet is mostly rodents? This is benificial to everyone. Just ask anyone with rat and mice infestation. A direct result of all the areas preditors being eradicated or removed.
I suggest a secure coop at night when most predation takes place. And by the way chickens have no night vision. So they are sitting ducks, easy pickings to anything. Most just freeze in place and they have no defences.
And Electric fencing may be a good option during the day.
How are your ducks safe is my question?
Good Luck!
What a horrible thing to wake up to!
O dont know in what part of the world you are writting from but here in northern michigan I would quickly loose every chicken I had if I did not secure them every night in a locked coop.
My coop is secure against all local preditors except a bear. A determined bear could probably figure out a way in by smashing his way in.
Your dog may have known he was outnumbered and laid low. A smart dog will do that to preserve his life. The more brave and ignorant one run out into the fray and get torn to pieces. Coyote can be part of packs numbering over 6 or 10. A single dog is no match.
And killing all the preditors is also unlikely as its enormously hard and counter productive as nature needs preditors to keep prey populations in check. You know a red fox diet is mostly rodents? This is benificial to everyone. Just ask anyone with rat and mice infestation. A direct result of all the areas preditors being eradicated or removed.
I suggest a secure coop at night when most predation takes place. And by the way chickens have no night vision. So they are sitting ducks, easy pickings to anything. Most just freeze in place and they have no defences.
And Electric fencing may be a good option during the day.
How are your ducks safe is my question?
Good Luck!
- Thread starter
- #5
HI! Thanks for the tips! I am in northern Arkansas. I noticed on my camera that my one rooster saw the carnage and did as you said, froze in place I'm guessing hoping they wouldn't get him? Their pen is normally locked up top but it was a mistake, a humongous mistake cause we have been sick and I had some that would not go in the coops, they would sleep in the dog house and some on the woodpile for well over a month so I came in after locking the ducks pen and I was feeling so awful, was like well they've been fine for a long time and Midnight has never had issues chasing away predators. It is a very hard lesson in complacency and I will not allow this to happen again. I would not want to kill them all, or any if possible. I hate killing things. but if my other animals are at risk, I would fire a warning shot and go from there. my ducks are in their own secured, locked coop and I put large rocks and cinder blocks in front of the door. we have not had hardly any rain so the ground which is already very hard from being mostly clay, is cracked and almost drought conditions. I'm praying they will not be able to get to them if they do come back. yes, that's what I was explaining to my husband that he knew he was outnumbered and was being smart. if something would have happened to my midnight, I would be devastated.
I agree. That is why I suggested making a secure run area.
- Thread starter
- #7
Yes. Absolutely. My husband asked me if I'm ready to start over and I told him no. We must ensure this will never happen again. My main priority as far as the animals go, is to protect our ducks and rebuild a safer, much more fortified area and to not get complacent. I love having them free range so I am thinking for the new living quarters getting one of those electric automated door thingys that open at dawn and close after they are in. Incase there is ever an emergency and we are not home for some reason or another. What do you think of those? Thanks again!
I know what you mean about being sick. And letting things slide.
About 25 years ago we had purchased 6 Gosling's. Beautiful healthy birds with great personality. They were half grown an becoming a giant pain every night to get to go into the coop. One night I got off work at 11pm, and it was a torrential storm with the rain coming down sideways in buckets. I was out with a flashlight scurrying around the yard trying to corral these geese into the coop door. Soaking wet and dead tired I finally got exasperated. these guys actually love this weather and preferred it to inside. So I gave up and said "ok, have it your way" and left them out, secured the coop and went to bed. The rain pelted the roof all night, and I didn't hear a thing. Next day, no geese, no feathers, no body parts. Just gone, all of them.
Gave up on geese after that. I need critters with just a little bit of sence. Cooperate and Work with me here!
I have guineas also and every so often one or two decide that they like sleeping 30 feet up in the maple tree. Well I cant do anything about that. Except pick up there headless body within a few days after the owl catches on to what's happening.
The smart ones that go into the coop get to live. I'm hoping that the smart live ones who get to reproduce, pass the "smart" gene to their offspring!
Sorry for the long post, but you are not alone when it comes to failure. Most of us here have learned all our lessons the hard way.
About 25 years ago we had purchased 6 Gosling's. Beautiful healthy birds with great personality. They were half grown an becoming a giant pain every night to get to go into the coop. One night I got off work at 11pm, and it was a torrential storm with the rain coming down sideways in buckets. I was out with a flashlight scurrying around the yard trying to corral these geese into the coop door. Soaking wet and dead tired I finally got exasperated. these guys actually love this weather and preferred it to inside. So I gave up and said "ok, have it your way" and left them out, secured the coop and went to bed. The rain pelted the roof all night, and I didn't hear a thing. Next day, no geese, no feathers, no body parts. Just gone, all of them.
Gave up on geese after that. I need critters with just a little bit of sence. Cooperate and Work with me here!
I have guineas also and every so often one or two decide that they like sleeping 30 feet up in the maple tree. Well I cant do anything about that. Except pick up there headless body within a few days after the owl catches on to what's happening.
The smart ones that go into the coop get to live. I'm hoping that the smart live ones who get to reproduce, pass the "smart" gene to their offspring!
Sorry for the long post, but you are not alone when it comes to failure. Most of us here have learned all our lessons the hard way.
- Thread starter
- #9
I am sorry that happened. These things are quite unfortunate and definitely a learning experience. It is crazy because I was expecting them to come back, but I was not expecting them to come back so early. It is only 11 pm here. I fired a warning shot but I am sure they will be back and in that instant I must shoot to kill. They gave no care for my flock. There are two of them so it is not an entire pack thank God. I am curious if you know, or anyone else reading this knows, but will they come back with more if I kill one of them like a vengeance thing? Probably a silly question, but one I need to know the answer to. Thanks!!
They return because of hunger,,,, not vengeance.
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