I think we have a coyote problem!!

[shelleyd2008]

This morning I went out to feed the kids, and saw my black silkies babies hiding under an eave (sp?) out of the rain. Their mama was no where to be found.
I had 2 jap hens setting on eggs, 1 BTW and 1 BTB. The BTW was out with the rest of the kids, and the BTB was no where to be found. 5 or 6 of the eggs in their nest were broken.
A few days ago, we had a GP/GR pup dumped on us. He is also missing.

Last night, a young beagle that sleeps on the porch was throwing a fit. I opened the door to tell him to hush, and heard all the other dogs barking (we have 9 total). 3 of the dogs are loose, the beagle, a beagle mix, and the GP pup. I thought it was odd that ALL the dogs were barking, there are a couple that bark if the wind blows the wrong way, but normally they are pretty quiet at night.

So, since the pup is gone, along with the birds, I am assuming it was coyotes. How in the world can I fix this?? I know they'll just keep coming back? HELP!!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Basicly 3 things you can do. Take the food source away, good fences, and something in a .223 caliber.

Steve in NC

 

[shelleyd2008]

The only guns dad has are shotguns, and I'm not too sure I could fire one. I was thinking of moving either my GSD closer to the pen that keeps getting hit, or my dad's pit bull.

Would having a big dog closer keep the coyotes at bay, or would they just kill the dog?

 

[ducks4you]

If they are coyotes, they probably stay away from any large dogs. (Did you say that you had a German Shephard?--wasn't sure...)

If, they are "cur-dogs", that is, half dog-half coyote, they won't be afraid of you or any dogs.

Do you hear them howling? Then, they are coyotes. We Hear them, off and on, all year round, but there is too much light where my chickens live, too much dog smell ALL over the yard, and I think that they don't want to mess with the horses. Also, they would

I've been told that if you pay them (high school boys with guns), they will come...and solve your problem. Put up a bounty and post it. ESPECIALLY in THIS economy.

 

[blbgp]

Do you hear howling? Can you bring the dogs inside and put the chickens in their coop at night?

 

[warmfuzzies]

We have coyotes all over the place and have never had them come up to the house. We attribute that to our dog. It will work, as long as they arent too hungry, and as long as they still respect humans.

If you live in a urban area, or highly populated area in the country, where not to many people shoot at coyotes, they tend to see humans as a food factory. I would try to get a chance to shoot at them. Even if you use a shotgun and they are too far away to hit, they will know you are not the best place to get a meal.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Well, stupid me, we don't have a coop. The chickens that are gone were nesting in a tractor, I think the silkie was nesting beside the tractor. We have never had predator problems, so we don't worry about it too much. I am planning on improving my set-up, but I don't have the funds right now.

I have a GSD, and my dad has a pit bull. My GSD can't be trusted around the chickens, but dad said he'll probably turn his pit loose at night. His beagle mix is usually a pretty good predator deterent, but our mower is down, so the weeds/grass is pretty high in that area. All we have is a push mower, so we keep it cut around the house. The tractors are 'by' the house, but in the yard a bit. I'm going to wait till the chickens go to roost, put them in a cage, and move the tractors to the other side of the yard. At least they won't be sitting ducks then.

I haven't heard any howling, but with 10 dogs (forgot about the one that's now in the house), it's hard to hear anything, especially if coyotes are howling. That's about the only way to tell, all the dogs start barking. I should have known when I went out there last night. All the dogs were barking, and I thought nothing of it.

I'll sit out there tonight, just so I can see if I see whatever it was. I'm not sure if dad has any guns other than shotguns, I'm sure I can't fire those. If not, I'll ask a neighbor if they have something with less kick that I can borrow.

I'm kind of worried about having the dogs closer, especially if it is coyotes. Dad had a dog killed a few years ago by them, and another that was pretty messed up from them. I'm thinking if a dog is tied, the coyotes won't care, and either attack the dog or just bypass it. Maybe we'll turn the pit loose at night, he won't bother the birds......Dad says his beagle mix has more backbone if the pit is loose as well, but she (the beagle mix) is pretty good. It's just that the darn weeds are so high, the predators can get to within 5'-6' of the cage, then disappear.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Our closest neighbor is about 3/4 mile away, and we are surrounded on 3 sides by government preservation land. I'm thinking it's due to the grass/weeds being so high, they can come right into the yard almost, undetected.

 

[onthespot]

maybe you could rig some hotwire at least around your tractor if you can't build a coop. That is probably your best, cheapest fix for now... so sorry you lost your beagle and your birds.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

I f your dad has a 20 g. shotgun I am pretty sure you could handle that. I have a Winchester 20 g. pump and use it all the time. It has very little kick...doesn't bother me at all even with just a light shirt on and firing more than one round, and I am old (lol) and only 5'2" tall and female.

With no coop you can expect to lose some more if you do not put them up somewhere else at night. Predators have found their food source and I wouldn't be surprised to find racoons coming in also. Be careful..racoons have attacked and killed small dogs and one even killed one of my old cats last month. I did get revenge on that one.

I hear coyotes all the time here but they have never ventured close to the house, maybe because I also have horses. But racoons......

..... a continuous battle.