Hi... I'm new to this

[AprilOnion]

Not sure if I'm in the correct post for newbies, but I've been resourcing Backyard Chickens for over a year, and have not become a member. I am honored to be among you all, and was prompted to join only because when I googled "what do coyotes do with their prey" and the first site to come up was backyard chickens, I was comforted with the posts and moved to join the conversation. This was a sign to join! I am mourning the missing of my beloved 4 yr old cat, I believe from coyotes. I have not found any body or evidence, but have been searching and calling her name night and day.

My family (me, my husband and 3 boys, twins age 9 and 11 yr old) have 14 hens. We just lost one 2 weeks ago to a coyote. I did not witness it, but a neighbor about half a mile down the road witnessed a coyote catching his chicken, while free ranging, about the same day my chicken went missing. Ours was a beautiful black australorp. Otherwise, we have had good luck. I have taken 3 of our chickens to the vet when I first started and was beyond my means of a solution. I have since learned, and have taken any questions or sick hens to our local 4H, FFA gal who really knows her stuff, and is much cheaper!

I mourn for my cat. And thank you for your site. I don't otherwise do any postings or the like at all... not even on facebook. We love our animals!

 

[drumstick diva]

So sorry to hear your cat is missing, and your loss to a coyote. We have them out here (live near forest preserve) and people sometimes find a rabbit missing from its hutch.

Once predators are successful they will keep coming back. You may want to check out the predators threads and see what you can do to deter them, and beef up your security.

 

[LRH97]

First of all, you are most welcome here! Don't be afraid to ask questions. We're all here to help each other and are very happy to have you. Very sorry to hear about your cat and hen. Hopefully the coyotes have moved along and won't be sticking around. But, like drumstick diva said, once a predator finds an easy source of food, they find it very tempting to pay you another "visit". I've had this problem especially with foxes (also known as crafty, devious, chicken killing machines). Checking out the predator threads will be wise. Best of luck to you!

 

[marjwhamond]

Ok. I've given up after several months if trying to find the little blue box on the new members site so I can start a new thread. Grrrrr
Maybe you can help
I'm using mobile site

 

[N F C]

Not sure if I'm in the correct post for newbies, but I've been resourcing Backyard Chickens for over a year, and have not become a member. I am honored to be among you all, and was prompted to join only because when I googled "what do coyotes do with their prey" and the first site to come up was backyard chickens, I was comforted with the posts and moved to join the conversation. This was a sign to join! I am mourning the missing of my beloved 4 yr old cat, I believe from coyotes. I have not found any body or evidence, but have been searching and calling her name night and day.

My family (me, my husband and 3 boys, twins age 9 and 11 yr old) have 14 hens. We just lost one 2 weeks ago to a coyote. I did not witness it, but a neighbor about half a mile down the road witnessed a coyote catching his chicken, while free ranging, about the same day my chicken went missing. Ours was a beautiful black australorp. Otherwise, we have had good luck. I have taken 3 of our chickens to the vet when I first started and was beyond my means of a solution. I have since learned, and have taken any questions or sick hens to our local 4H, FFA gal who really knows her stuff, and is much cheaper!

I mourn for my cat. And thank you for your site. I don't otherwise do any postings or the like at all... not even on facebook. We love our animals!

Welcome to BYC. I'm sorry to hear of your lost cat and hen, that's always upsetting. There is some excellent info on various predators in the Learning Center you may wish to check out, here's a link to get you there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

Good luck to you.

Ok. I've given up after several months if trying to find the little blue box on the new members site so I can start a new thread. Grrrrr
Maybe you can help
I'm using mobile site

Hi, the "Start a new thread" box is on the upper left side of each screen (right next to "Post a reply"). I don't use mobile so maybe that's different?

 

[sunflour]

Not sure if I'm in the correct post for newbies, but I've been resourcing Backyard Chickens for over a year, and have not become a member. I am honored to be among you all, and was prompted to join only because when I googled "what do coyotes do with their prey" and the first site to come up was backyard chickens, I was comforted with the posts and moved to join the conversation. This was a sign to join! I am mourning the missing of my beloved 4 yr old cat, I believe from coyotes. I have not found any body or evidence, but have been searching and calling her name night and day.

My family (me, my husband and 3 boys, twins age 9 and 11 yr old) have 14 hens. We just lost one 2 weeks ago to a coyote. I did not witness it, but a neighbor about half a mile down the road witnessed a coyote catching his chicken, while free ranging, about the same day my chicken went missing. Ours was a beautiful black australorp. Otherwise, we have had good luck. I have taken 3 of our chickens to the vet when I first started and was beyond my means of a solution. I have since learned, and have taken any questions or sick hens to our local 4H, FFA gal who really knows her stuff, and is much cheaper!

I mourn for my cat. And thank you for your site. I don't otherwise do any postings or the like at all... not even on facebook. We love our animals!

Welcome, so glad you decided to join us. It seems most google searches on poultry lead here, that's how most of us find the site and decided to join in. I don't do the Facebook thing either, but love BYC and hope you will as well.

So sorry about your losses. Several years ago I lost an aging precious calico cat who was very outdoor savvy, never knew what got her but am sure it was a fox or coyote. Likely the same culprit is responsible for both losses. You really should investigate predator protection as the OP have advised. I assume your flock free ranges, and loss to predators is an expected risk. Threads about the issue is why my gals live in confinement.

Wishing you better luck with the rest of your flock and pets.

Ok. I've given up after several months if trying to find the little blue box on the new members site so I can start a new thread. Grrrrr
Maybe you can help
I'm using mobile site

I don't use mobile but you should investigate " Forum Information and FAQs". Heres the on on mobile threads : https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16183/mobile-feedback

Hope this helps, you really do need to be able to start your own threads.

 

[AHenNamedPepper]

So sorry for your loss but we are glad to have you here at BYC!!!!

 

[karl69]

Good morning im new here. I just started raising chickens (not completely chicken stupid grew up on farm,we didn't have them other farmers did) we bout 6 chic's from our local tractor supply back in March. we got 3 pullets ( Delaware's I think) and straight run RIR and got lucky one cockel and 2 hens so their about 14-16 weeks old. After reading a lot I think I want to get a couple brown Leghorn's . I'd like to have some layers now, eggs are getting real expensive
I want some eggs I'm get inpatient.
Oh and we built a coop from old patters I got from work all we paid for was a couple 2x4s and wire, looks pretty good I think. Let's see if I can get a couple pic up here

 

[karl69]

Hi I'm a new here, I've found lots of answers her figured it was time I joined. We got started back in March with 6 chic's we got from tractor supply we have 3 RIR one is a rooster and 3 pullets(Delaware hens I think). We built a coop from pallets I got from work, I'm ready for some eggs . im inpatient I'd like to get a couple older layers now. Would that cause stress and conflict in my coop?

 

[karl69]

Sorry for the double post, trying to figure it out!