I can’t sleep cause coyotes keep trying to get my chickens! It’s 4:00am! What do I do?!

[DaGoober]

As I am writing this I’m trying to hear outside cause of coyotes, they keep trying to get my 4week old chicks and rooster. I keep going outside with a gun and flashlight with my dad cause we keep hearing howls, I even saw one of the bastards moving in the darkness but he already saw me and ran away. They killed 2 Rhode Island reds a few weeks ago who were about 2 months old. I don’t know what to do cause I need to sleep but I don’t want my chickens to get hurt!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Sounds like some hot wire around the perimeter of your birds setup might do the trick.

 

[DaGoober]

I know I’m just up right now and I don’t have any cool supplies or stuff like that, I can’t hear anything anymore Are they quiet when they attack?

 

[MrsOrea]

As I am writing this I’m trying to hear outside cause of coyotes, they keep trying to get my 4week old chicks and rooster. I keep going outside with a gun and flashlight with my dad cause we keep hearing howls, I even saw one of the bastards moving in the darkness but he already saw me and ran away. They killed 2 Rhode Island reds a few weeks ago who were about 2 months old. I don’t know what to do cause I need to sleep but I don’t want my chickens to get hurt!

Predator proof your coop and add motion detecting flood lights and cameras that alert you and optionally sound a siren when there is movement outside the coop. For tonight, you may have to hang in there until morning and sleep after you can get your chickens to a safe place until you predator proof your coop. If you post a picture of the coop, we can possibly determine where the weak points are.

 

[Matejka]

4 week old chicks-bring them in the house or garage-and put them back in brooder/old box. Secure coop.

 

[DaGoober]

Thank you! I’ll try to stay awake I can’t sleep anyways, but what sound would I hear from the coyotes if they try to break in my dog kennel for he chicks? I have more chicken wire around as well for extra protection, and a smaller coop inside. I just don’t know what to hear.

 

[DaGoober]

My dad won’t let me and says I’m getting too worried I think I’m gonna be sitting in the living room with my back door wide open.

 

[mowin]

For the time being, bring them in the garage or shed.

Long term... research, research, research. A predator proof coop and run is a lot of work, but worth it.

I've got fox, coon, yotes around my coop/run often. I sleep like a baby. From spring to early winter, I don't even close the poop door.

 

[cmom]

I have electric wires around my coops and pens. The predators know they are there. Nothing has penetrated with the electric wires. If a predator can find a way to get your birds they will. They are always lurking looking for opportunities. I don't close my pop doors either, but as I said nothing has gotten past the hot wires. I have heard predators test them and once they do they don't test them again. I also have game cameras on my property and was surprised at the predators that roam here, especially at night. Good luck...
A chick/grow-out coop. The predators know the electric wires are there. I do have heavy duty netting covering the pens and concrete under the gates.