The Fricken Chicken story!

[Mmanist]

Maybe you could take some of those plants and put them right by the coop. It seems to work for me. I have not had a single attempt on my coop in 4 years.
I also have some garden netting set up around the coop. So, any predator would have to get through the netting before trying to get into the coop. I don't know if that would work for you, since I don't know how much land you would have to cover.
I can get a picture for you if you want though.

We have the fence, post, and gates to do our yard. But it has been a challenge to actually get the time to get it done. Once the yard is fenced in. I will leave my chickens come in the yard with my dogs during the day. My dogs don't bother them. Shelby will occasionally take chase, if I'm yelling at them to go somewhere, other than my porch. But other than that, they walk right pass the dogs, and even hang out on the porch beside them. The chicken know the dogs are safe.

 

[Mmanist]

Wow, it's beautiful. I would be careful with foot traps though. You could get any animal in there, including animals you want around.

Yes I know, I would check it multiple times a day if needed. Because I would worry about people pets. Or even my own. I know they have large dog sized live traps, but is a coyote going to even step foot in that.

 

[HappyClucker7]

The problem with foot traps is that you can't control what goes in there. Sure, you might get a coyote, or a raccoon. Or, you could get a turkey, a pheasant, a deer, or some other type of harmless wildlife.
Once they're in the trap, they're as good as dead. The trap breaks the leg, and if the leg is broken, the animal won't be able to survive in the wild anymore.
If you get someone's pet, and their leg is broken, or worse, the animal is killed, then you have a huge problem on your hands. You'll have to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills, and if the animal is killed, you'll have to either replace it, or you may even get sued.
Plus, what if your chickens stumble into the traps while they're free ranging?
I would seriously stay clear of foot traps if I were you.

 

[Mmanist]

Yes, I understand all the risk with foot traps. Trust me, I rather not have to kill any animal. But when I get something like a coyote coming into my yard and attacking animal 30 yrds from my house. It is concerning, when I have 2 small young children outside with me. Right now, my chickens are lucky to even be out of the coop. I won't let any of my cats outside, and no free ranging flock until further notice. At least not until I get the coyote problem under control. I'm going to beg my husband to get the fence up. 3 large dogs running around during the day should help deter them away.

 

[BY Bob]

Take a few nights of my week. Place some eggs in the yard, sit on my back deck with an AR and wait... But these have been happening at all hours of the day. So for now, my flock will staying their run area during the day. I also rotate dogs on their runner too.
Shelby, my great protector, Falkor has to have someone watch his back too!
View attachment 2246282

A well trained dog is a good solution as long as they are trustworthy. I would also consider the AR as well.

 

[Mmanist]

All 3 dogs 100% trust worthy. AR %100 trust worthy also, but I will not take a shot unless I'm certain of it.

 

[BY Bob]

Best I can do for now, is not let my flock free range. They have a secure coop they go in at night, I do head count and lock them up till morning. My run was only made to keep my chickens in, not to keep predators out. I'm a stay at home mother, so I leave them free range when I'm home. I went back to where the feathers are and seen large dog like prints. So I can assume my predator is a coyote. I live in a county like suburb. My neighbors are my family, brother, parents and grandparents. Behind my house is thick woods, with 150+ft cliffsides, with a stream that runs through it all. I've been through all my woods, millions of times. It is heavy with coyote, racoons and hawks! It's beautiful back there. But it causes problems with the predators coming into my yard. The coyote do not fear people. They have come through and attacked a flock of wild turkey while I was right there. I've been thinking heavily on foot traps, for down in the woods. Not very often do people leave their dogs run loose up here. Very rarely do I ever see dogs down there to begin with. But I have well wore paths from coyotes right into my yard. The attacks are getting closer to my house each time too.

Here are a couple pictures from my woods.
View attachment 2246430View attachment 2246416View attachment 2246433View attachment 2246436

Dangerous but beautiful.

 

[Mmanist]

Dangerous but beautiful.

It is, those cliffsides are less than 500 yards from my house. My parents are even close to them.

 

[BY Bob]

but I will not take a shot unless I'm certain of it.

Exactly. That is the only way to use it.

 

[Mmanist]

I am not sure if the high humidity and heat gave my first batch of eggs a problem. But none had any development and half had detached air cells. So I gave Rori 3 more, 2 of cooper, and 1 Blondie on the 13th. One of coopers had hair line crack today so I chucked it. 2 still developing well. Nice healthy veins! Look forward to the 3rd! As long as all goes well! If all fails this round. I will break rori of her broody self. No more eggs this year.