Just feathers left - can coyotes climb 5" fences?

[elless]

I forgot to add we're also going to add coop house automatic door for double protection should something be able to bust through the fencing.

 

[elless]

Sorry that you all have lost chickens and pets to predators too

 

[shesaredroan]

You might try talking to your feed store folks. They can tell you more about your area than anybody. I lost all my chickens to coyotes 2 years ago and now have 1 full pyrenees and 2 pyr mixes. Haven't had a coyote on the place since. Thought I had my problems solved until the hawks showed up late this spring. Lost 5 young girls as they scratched about in their yard, there were 3 piles of feathers and 2 girls were totally gone, carrried off to be eaten. My hawk attacks usually occur around dawn or dusk, unless it's a young inexperienced hawk, they'll hunt at any time. My newly installed overhead netting has helped, so far. I have a friend on the other side of the county who loses chickens to owls, and that's always at night. Unfortunately everything loves chicken and it's always a challenge to protect them. Good luck, remember we are smarter then those chicken killing rascals, but they are hungrier.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Sorry you lost your chickens. It could be any of the three. Coons can strike in daylight. I've had it happen twice - so can fox. They can all climb a 5' fence with very little trouble. They all can leave piles of feathers behind. Sometimes coons will eat part of their catch right then and there and then leave part of the chicken/prey behind. At my farm - most of the time all three carry the 'catch' away.

Joni

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I'm thinking a raccoon. They can vary in sizes and strength, and not even a horse could jump over a 5-foot fence. Coyotes cannot climb, but 'coons can.

I'm sorry for your loss- I'd be devastated if I lost one of my chickens

 

[georgia7448]

Yes We had the same thing happen last night, but if you keep looking we found a few piles of feathers and then a couple more individual and then it went cold we kept walking because of what ever got a hold of our rooster didn't leave any blood so we had hopes and later on we walked under a bridge and found him he wedged him self between two rocks but luckily he survived i'd keep looking if i was you!!! you might find you'res too! good luck

 

[browning6]

How quick did you get out there? Coons are so strong a hen is childs-play for them and they will climb like nobodies buisness. If there is a vantage point to the coop from your house i would watch it tonight. Where it is spring all the female predators are feeding young and need lots of food. there is a great chance she comes back for another easy meal. sorry about your hen. I feel your pain three dogs came in last month and killed 10 of my 13 chickens. But the next day they came back and i shot one and wounded another. havent sen them since. it is no fun to loose livestock.