How to deal with coyotes?

[euphoniumism]

Okay, so recently I've been seeing coyote tracks in the dirt on my property. How do I deal with this?
I don't think I can get a gun. I have a border collie puppy but he's not old enough to take on a coyote yet. When he's full grown I'd probably allow it though, 'cause he was the biggest of his litter, 1/3 bigger than the other puppies, and he already doesn't like other dogs on our property even if it's a big GSD or pit bull. But right now he's still just a puppy. I also recently rescued a rooster and decided to keep him, as another alarm in case something happens, because I usually just tell my dogs to hush when they start freaking out when I'm trying to sleep.
What else can I do? I don't want to lose any more chickens. I'm too attached to them.

edited by staff

 

[Brookliner]

Security is your best defense against any predator. Make sure your coop is locked and secure. This means hardware cloth not chicken wire. Does your flock free range? Is your run secure? Read through the predator section of BYC.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Your rooster is very handsome, too. Very secure coop and pen; think Ft. Knox security. Electric fencing is good too. Your puppy may be large enough as an adult to scare coyotes, but I'd worry about him taking on more than he can handle. be careful not to encourage foolhardy behavior on his part; some big dog might be offended and really hurt him. I've had many problems with possums, raccoon, and hawks; once with a fox, and my own dogs. Never had a coyote take any chickens, at least not yet. Mary

 

[euphoniumism]

Thanks! I think my roo is pretty cute.
I have a 6ft wooden fence around my entire yard, and in my yard I have a coop/run fenced with hardware cloth. I let the hens free range in the yard since I have the 6ft fence. I didn't want to do electric fencing because my cats climb on anything and everything trying to watch over the property during the day.
And I've taught the pup the command "leave it" so if he messes with some animal he shouldn't and I say leave it he has to walk away. I had to teach him this because he wants to chase my cats and chickens, and growl at the neighboring dogs. He usually comes over to me and gives me this face like "but why?"
I'm more planning on him chasing it out of the yard.. he doesn't leave the yard. Even if he's chasing a rabbit he knows better than to leave the yard.

 

[txredchick]

1 border collie can not defeat a pack of coyotes. Where there is 1, they're more.

I have a large one (85 lbs) , and while he hangs between the goat pasture & chicken run --- he has 4 other large dogs to help keep predators at bey, Where I live, can't free range - but they have a huge Fort Knox run/coop set up. Too many predators, & many animals lost - so I have no issue using my gun ( live on a large tx ranch ).

 

[NEChickenNoob]

Coyotes.....the bane of the modern farmer or homesteader.

Option one: Trap them. You can hire a guy to do this as doing it by yourself is extremely difficult to do with a live trap. Foot traps would not do in your situation.

Option two: Shoot them. Coyotes are smart. You kill one, even sometimes maybe two (doubt you'll ever get to two), they will remember to stay out of your property until the rest of their menu gets scarce.

Option three: Get some LGDs like Pyrenees and such. Need a pair to effectively deal with a pack of coyotes. They will kill them for you.

By all means, do not let your dog out of your sight when there are coyotes about. They have been know to lure a dog out to an area to be attacked. If you want to hunt them and your near open areas, get some greyhounds and learn how to chase hunt them. I have a good friend from the midwest who tells some impressive tails of packs of greyhounds chasing down those evil little coyotes. I found this on youtube and seems to be what he describes:

(WARNING - Graphic and satisfying for those of us who despise Coyotes)

 

[centrarchid]

Very seldom will you be dealing with an actual pack but more than one dog on your side is advised. Situation of hunt depicted in videos is not realistic for most keepers of poultry. You as a poultry keeper need to concentrate on keeping birds in relatively tight where you can monitor them and at least set up a boundary the coyotes will potentially respect. The coyotes may be able to clear fences with ease but make operating on your side risky with low probability of reward. Keep birds locked up when not foraging and consider the multiple dog route on your side of fence. I have a day job making shooting impractical but trapping can be used. I have dogs and we whip the coyotes easily. Foxes much more of a challenge but coyotes can actually help you deal with those if latter relatively abundant.

 

[euphoniumism]

I was looking into getting some LGD pups but wanted to finish raising my border collie puppy. I don't want to have to deal with so many puppies at once.. and I don't know anyone that could give me a grown LGD that loves chickens. So.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I live in an area where there are bears, mountain lions, bob cats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pine martens, owls and hawks. My chickens have a large, very secure run and coop but they only are allowed to free range while my Anatolian Shepherd Dog is out on guard duty. He is young and has needed to be teathered while the chickens are out, but as he has turned the corner on 2 1/2 and moving towards 3-years-old, he is very good at staying near while I'm outside and the chickens are forraging.

In the 3+ years I've had chickens I've lost one to a bobcat while they were out forraging (hence the purchase of an Anatolian) and just a week or so I had a midnight break in by a raccoon into my meat bird grow-out pen, which I have since reinforced. The Anatolian Shepherd Rescue Network sometimes has mature livestock guardian dogs available for rescue and adoption, but be informed about the breed before you consider getting one. They are very smart, very independent thinkers and require an owner who knows how to deal with a high level of guarding and dominance behavior.