Silkie vs coyote?

[filmcmahon]

hey everyone! my family and i have a flock of 6- three columbian rocks, 2 barred rocks, and a blue smooth silkie. we originally did have three silkies, but one was a rooster and bothered our neighbours- which sucks because he was a beautiful cuckoo smooth! anyways we lost our black frizzle to mericks a few months ago. Martlet, our blue smooth is pals with one of the colombians that isn’t really growing and is her bantam size. we have 1 acre of property and from my yard to four houses down, the backyards are all “attached” without fences. we have had scrawny little coyotes run through our neighbours yard and then out through the back of ours during past winters when food is scarce. we put a fence at the back to prevent our back neighbours dog from getting to our hens, who are 22 weeks. the flock has lots of tree and bush cover but i fear that if while they are free ranging a coyote appears, Martlet will not be able to get away. she doesn’t even run when the next door neighbours chihuahua comes to visit the flock. does anyone have any suggestions on how to be precautions of coyotes? like i said there is a back fence now but four doors down i know there was a den last year. i think the other 5 hens will be able to run away.
thanks!

 

[filmcmahon]

hey everyone! my family and i have a flock of 6- three columbian rocks, 2 barred rocks, and a blue smooth silkie. we originally did have three silkies, but one was a rooster and bothered our neighbours- which sucks because he was a beautiful cuckoo smooth! anyways we lost our black frizzle to mericks a few months ago. Martlet, our blue smooth is pals with one of the colombians that isn’t really growing and is her bantam size. we have 1 acre of property and from my yard to four houses down, the backyards are all “attached” without fences. we have had scrawny little coyotes run through our neighbours yard and then out through the back of ours during past winters when food is scarce. we put a fence at the back to prevent our back neighbours dog from getting to our hens, who are 22 weeks. the flock has lots of tree and bush cover but i fear that if while they are free ranging a coyote appears, Martlet will not be able to get away. she doesn’t even run when the next door neighbours chihuahua comes to visit the flock. does anyone have any suggestions on how to be precautions of coyotes? like i said there is a back fence now but four doors down i know there was a den last year. i think the other 5 hens will be able to run away.
thanks!

SHE ALSO DOESNT FOLLOW THE GROUP WHEN THEY MOVE TO A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE YARD RIGHT AWAY. she takes at least 5 extra minutes to get where they are.

 

[50-45-1]

none of your chickens are safe from the coyotes. they hunt to live, they are good at it. no chicken stands much of a chance. or from any other chicken killing critter that can enter your back yard.
i would say that if you want to avoid heartbreak you build a run for your chickens with a cover to keep even the hawks and owls out.
consider electric barrier of some kind against neighborhood dogs.
i see to many heartbreaking stories on this site to not tell you this.
Welcome to Back Yard Chickens, Glad you joined.

 

[filmcmahon]

none of your chickens are safe from the coyotes. they hunt to live, they are good at it. no chicken stands much of a chance. or from any other chicken killing critter that can enter your back yard.
i would say that if you want to avoid heartbreak you build a run for your chickens with a cover to keep even the hawks and owls out.
consider electric barrier of some kind against neighborhood dogs.
i see to many heartbreaking stories on this site to not tell you this.
Welcome to Back Yard Chickens, Glad you joined.

they have a run that they spend the day in but when they go out into the yard when i get home from school or on weekends i was just wondering if there was anything i could do to be extra precautious. thanks for replying!

 

[TwistedSteel]

Good fences and lots of practice with a side arm you are comfortable with carrying when you are doing chores or just supervising your flock.

 

[Ginmary]

Time for a "hair cut" If you do not have show chickens, you should cut the feathers around the silkie's eyes (carefully!) so they can see better. It makes a big difference. She doesn't stay with the flock because she most likely doesn't see where they went. Although, my silkies tend to be more loners than the other breeds.

In either case, as mentioned, your other chickens will not be able to escape a cayote. Cayotes are experienced hunters who can outrun any chicken.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Looks like a beautiful parkland. Lucky birds until a predator comes along. Is there any way you can put up electric fencing in part of that area? I know it is unattractive but could save you some serious heartbreak. When we have pets it’s our responsibility to care for them properly and keep them safe.

 

[filmcmahon]

Looks like a beautiful parkland. Lucky birds until a predator comes along. Is there any way you can put up electric fencing in part of that area? I know it is unattractive but could save you some serious heartbreak. When we have pets it’s our responsibility to care for them properly and keep them safe.

thanks! i think we will just keep them in the run this winter (which is the only time we have coyotes) as the gals don’t like walking in snow anyways. we will make sure everything is safe when spring comes!! thanks so much

 

[cmom]

Good idea. We have a lot of coyotes. Here nothing preys on coyotes but they will prey on other predators such as bobcat and fox if they can catch them. If you are seeing a skinny one, I'm sure it has noticed your flock and just waiting for an opportunity. I have several game cameras on my property and most nights when they roam, I usually see a predator, most often a coyote on at least one of the cameras. Good luck and have fun with your flock.