Sitting with a cup of coffee. (coffee lovers)

[ChickyChickens]

Wisdh i could do that!

 

[Bunnylady]

We have a red coyote that frequently crosses our property. She's just stunning. Had to build my coop like Fort Knox (Fort Chix?) as the adjacent vacant property has a coyote den or two. The coyotes here (at my property, at least) are desired as they keep the rampant rabbit population checked. Did see one coyote trotting down the street with a neighbor's chicken in its mouth. The neighbor hadn't secured the top of run netting well and the bird popped out. Bad judgment by owner and bird, winner winner chicken dinner for coyote who was at the right place at the right time.

Funny thing is that my dogs are totally nonplussed by the coyotes. They totally ignore the nightly serenades while all the neighborhood dogs work up into a frenzy of barking that lasts long after the feral yipping has stopped.

I have to wonder whether my dogs' howling may not be the reason that we haven't had coyotes on our property. We have heard them from points all around us; I have seen their tracks in places that are just off our property. To date, I haven't seen as much as a pawmark to indicate that one came on our place. The thought has occurred to me that howling is a territorial display, so maybe my dogs' howling, combined with their scent, tells the coyotes this place is taken so they steer clear?

 

[ocap]

I have to wonder whether my dogs' howling may not be the reason that we haven't had coyotes on our property. We have heard them from points all around us; I have seen their tracks in places that are just off our property. To date, I haven't seen as much as a pawmark to indicate that one came on our place. The thought has occurred to me that howling is a territorial display, so maybe my dogs' howling, combined with their scent, tells the coyotes this place is taken so they steer clear?

that howling and or barking is what my brother's livestock guard dogs are constantly doing. I think you are spot on with giving your dogs credit for keeping the property clear of predators.

 

[chickisoup]

So sorry you lost your favorite little girl

We have a lone wolf that crosses our field every year toward the end of summer and again in the very late winter. My guess is we are at the southern end of his range. As for the "officials"". They swore there were no cougars in Wisconsin until they finally admitted that they had returned. Whew! Here I thought all these years we were hallucinating the one that trotted up our driveway and across the potato fields every winter.

 

[chickisoup]

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Wolves, dogs and coyotes can interbreed; the resulting hybrids can have characteristics that make identification tough. We have "coyotes" around here that may hunt singly, or in a group, at almost any time of day or night. 

Sorry about your loss. It's always the favorite, isn't it?

Thank you.

Now that he knows you have a food supply he will be back. You should think about making a blind and waiting on him or he will wipe you out. So sorry!

Yep. Hubby is already talking about how to ambush it. The only problem is it takes a lot of time.

As for putting a top on, more work than we have time or $ for right now. We are just going to try vigilance and hopefully good aim.

 

[sunflour]

Good Morning fellow coffee lovers. I enjoyed that first cup of coffee this chilly morning on my way to work. NOAA said that it was 21 so that means that it was 19 at home. It was 14 yesterday and my F250 diesel would not start. That was a record breaker here in Middle GA. I charged my battery and put a drop light under the hood last night and Big Blue was rearing to go this morning. The chicks were nice and cozy in their warm coops. I went out Tuesday night just after dark to check the feed and to give them fresh water and the Mallards went for a swim and a bath when I put fresh water in their pool as cold as it was, crazy ducks. Have a warm and happy day.

Wow, we were only about 18 yesterday morning in Macon and I think you are south? But my water fount even with a 60 watt bulb to warm was frozen solid. So, last night took off the terra-cotta pot sitter below the fount and this am with temp about 20, it did not freeze…but the hens turned it over and all the water ran out…

. Guess we are gonna have to have a coop meeting and set some rules very soon..

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Yep! Been there!

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: The bird netting at home depot or tractor supply is not to bad on the pocket book. I am looking at getting some for a new are we are thinking about for the turkey.

 

[Alaskan]

of course, I live in fishing country... so you can always find used fishnet for free at the dump of the big fisherman supply store.

SO SORRY about your loss though!