My poor Rooster...

[terrilhb]

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X3. I am so sorry for the loss of your birds. Please becareful.

 

[ellieroo]

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The above is the absolute truth the coyotes will even take on GSD and win.They declared war but it is one you can win

 

[sjmarshall87]

I guess the DH finally wins! I never cared to know how to use a firearm.. but for the safety of my family, dog, and birds... I don't see any other option! I guess I am going Coyote Hunting with the DH this evening.

 

[DazeGoneBy]

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Best advice ever. If you live in a house with guns, it is in your best interest to learn to shoot properly and handle a gun safely. The feeling of empowerment when you do is going to be awesome. You can take care of things, perhaps even backup your DH if ever needed rather than cowering in fear.

Let us know how the coyote hunt goes, and maybe consider keeping your dog inside until the pack is at least thinned and you have another dog to back this one up. Best of luck!

 

[skillswife]

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I learned to shoot after gophers were eating my flowers and I needed to protect them. I never had any desire to shoot or hunt until that time. Now I am an avid hunter, and love to shoot. LIke when the skunk last week came to try and snack on my chickens I just got the gun and took care of it. DH was out of town. Just make sure you learn proper safety, its very important!

 

[mstrrlm]

Yes VERY important to learn and PRACTICE safety but if you or DH are a lite sleeper I would leave dog outside. Dog will make a great early warning system AND will fight to protect itself and should be able to until you guys arrive on scene guns cocked and locked.

 

[JD4570]

I hope you get the critters. I don't know if there are any houses near by but a 12 gauge loaded with buckshot preferably with a long barrel , can wipe a whole pack out real quick, say three to five seconds. Just a thought.

 

[equinelyn]

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X100!!!

Coyotes will actually wait up at the edge of trees, and send a member of the pack down to lure your dog back up to the pack to kill.

This video is an example. And this owner thought the cyotee was playing with his dog, and thank goodnesss called his dog back or it would have been lunch!

 

[carolinasculpture]

I hope you all are still OK. We have had coyotes on our property on many occasions. We don't have a dog, but once one coyote found our electric fence, they all have steered clear of the chickens!

 

[sjmarshall87]

Oh yes. Since the attacks I leave the 100lb GSD out with the chickens all day and keep watchful eyes on the windows. The dog alerts me of everything. My chickens actually flock around the dog now. I watch the dog wander the yard and the chickens follow right after. Quite a funny sight!

In the evening everyone is counted upon "coop up" and locked in. The last few weeks we had not really worried too much about the locking up because of the heat and everyone was always counted and accounted for. They had been fine. I went to CT for a week about 2 weeks ago and that's when the bad luck struck.

DH must not have been counting

Well we have 27 now.. Still a decent enough number but I think the attacks have delayed my egg laying.. I had 2-3 days of eggs and now nothing

But being new to the chicken thing that might be normal. Anyone know?

I think they are only 23 or 24 wks old.. Got them the 2nd wk of April this year. I don't know what is considered "normal" with the first lay attempts. Im not going to worry too much about it right now. I think once October hits and I am still not getting eggs then I will worry. For now they stay locked till 10 am to encourage laying in the coop and lock up at 8 pm (lights out at 10).