Rooster attacked by Coyote-lives to tell the tale

[mphkim]

So yesterday morning, April 28, 2020 6:30 am, I leapt out of bed to blood curdling sounds from chicken and neighbor. So thank GOD stay at home in CA has all my neighbors home. Anyway she announced that there was a coyote in the yard. (This was my first ever encounter with coyote and chickens in four years owning chickens) Got Rooster who was wobbly and bleeding. His injuries were two puncture wounds on his back and one by his butt. Lost all tail feathers. Had to take him to vet for antibiotics. So went to ER vet as my regular vet is retiring and only in once a week. He was cleaned, sutured (he was put under for that) given pain and antibiotic shot to the tune of $620.00. He's showing bruising now. Is separated from hen he protected who did not have any loss other than tail feathers. Vet seemed to think he will make it and Eugene has to come in week to have sutures removed. So here are my questions:
1. How many days will coyote return to scene of the crime? What preventions can be taken?
2. Need a new chicken vet as mine is retiring. I will in San Fernando Valley of southern CA
3. How to deal with the GUILT AND SADNESS I feel for Rooster's attack as I let them out "born free" in the yard as I have done in past and was not outside supervising them.
4. I have two chickens. Need two more hens- how to get hens during New Castle quarantine which for LAC has been year and half.

 

[MischickenNY]

Well coyotes are food about knowing where food is! I haven’t had experience with coyotes getting chickens but I do have experience with coyotes and just about everything else. They are smart and if they have easy access will try again.

 

[Sixandahalfacres]

Can you lock them up at night? We have lots of coyotes here and in my experience they like to hunt early mornings between 5-7am... occasionally they skulk around during the day but we have two dogs who chase them off (but will bark all night at them if we keep them out, so that’s why the chickens are locked up at night). Your rooster did good though - the coyote left with just a mouthful of feathers. Unfortunately that means he will be back...