The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

Sorry you keep getting all the snow SCG. Hopefully the fox is smart and will move on to something easier to get to.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm about to leave for work but I'm glad it hasn't come back, so far. I promised BF that I'd be silent as the grave this morning (I woke him up yesterday morning by accident - he's working the night shift this week) and I would have a difficult time justifying shooting a firearm off the porch.

I do have to say, though, that I shot some rats with a 22 handgun this past summer around 0400. I was in the driveway, which is right next to the bedroom window. He didn't hear a peep.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I checked all the tracks in the field next to the house when we had all the snow the other day. It looked like there had been a parade. About 70% were deer, 30% were coyote.

The disturbing thing about the coyotes is that they are out and about during the day. I saw one about 3 in the afternoon then another about 10AM and for some reason I hadn't let the chickens out yet that day.
One day around 8 AM two trotted right through the front yard. There's only about 50' between the house and a heavily trafficked road and they didn't seem wary at all.

 

[chickadoodles]

I checked all the tracks in the field next to the house when we had all the snow the other day. It looked like there had been a parade. About 70% were deer, 30% were coyote.

The disturbing thing about the coyotes is that they are out and about during the day. I saw one about 3 in the afternoon then another about 10AM and for some reason I hadn't let the chickens out yet that day.
One day around 8 AM two trotted right through the front yard. There's only about 50' between the house and a heavily trafficked road and they didn't seem wary at all.

My pitbull barks all night to keep the coyotes away... Good for that but not for sleep

We really don't have a predator problem because our dogs won't let them on our place.

 

[kingfrodo]

I checked all the tracks in the field next to the house when we had all the snow the other day. It looked like there had been a parade. About 70% were deer, 30% were coyote.

The disturbing thing about the coyotes is that they are out and about during the day. I saw one about 3 in the afternoon then another about 10AM and for some reason I hadn't let the chickens out yet that day.
One day around 8 AM two trotted right through the front yard. There's only about 50' between the house and a heavily trafficked road and they didn't seem wary at all.

we have a coyote that walks his (we and neighbors think its a male) perimeter of the farm across from us and cuts through our property at 11am every day. We think he's just walking his territory. I am ready with gun if he even goes near the coop but so far it's like he's just cutting through the yard on a mission. He never hangs out just quickly cuts through. it's safer for him that way.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Where I saw the last one roaming was right through the area that one of the flocks free ranges.

I used to see them at night but before the last few months, I had only seen one during the day.

 

[chickadoodles]

Where I saw the last one roaming was right through the area that one of the flocks free ranges.

I used to see them at night but before the last few months, I had only seen one during the day.

I looked up French drains last night with DH and he said that is what we need around the house! lol
But he's thinking about it. That is a start!

 

[drumstick diva]

SCG maybe if you put the fox head by the chicken coop, it will warn the others AWAY. Unless of course they band together and decide to extract revenge.


Years ago I saw a coyote trotting down our street as confidently as any dog. I yelled "Go Away - Get outta here!!" as fiercely as I could. Didn't even turn his head. I think I need more fire power like an air horn or woofers and tweeters if they still have those things.

Can you use a crossbow or something so you won't wake up BF?

 

[Cynthia12]

Man! Coyotes, foxes.. deer. Not worried about the deer, but still, you all are living in wooded area for sure. I am in the city. Three years ago, we are putting up the Christmas tree, look out our big front window where the tree is, and there goes a fox, on the sidewalk. Then, there goes me to check on my chickens! What in the world was he doing in a neighborhood? We are just down from the canyon, but quite a ways. It was a pretty one, red, nice fluffy tail with the white tip on it's tail. SCG this would have been a great tail to add to your collection.
I can't imagine what you all have to do to keep your birds and animals safe. I worry enough about the hawks.
Just saw a beautiful Bald Eagle yesterday, but we were driving, and it was in the next city. Don't see those very often in the valley.
I've had hawks scoop down right in front of me while I'm out there with my small flock. Cooper Hawks. They are a brazen little bird. Have had a big hawk get stuck on top of the chicken wire I have going across the top of the run once..years ago. I thought those guys could see better than that. My birds didn't go out for a few days. Watched the sky for those days. Have neighbors with chickens, one will call me if she sees a hawk circling, in go my birds.
The only four footed creature I have to worry about is cats. So far no dogs can get into our back yard, but those cats. Had a feral cat get one of my Heritage RIR pullets.

 

[ronott1]

Man! Coyotes, foxes.. deer. Not worried about the deer, but still, you all are living in wooded area for sure. I am in the city. Three years ago, we are putting up the Christmas tree, look out our big front window where the tree is, and there goes a fox, on the sidewalk. Then, there goes me to check on my chickens! What in the world was he doing in a neighborhood? We are just down from the canyon, but quite a ways. It was a pretty one, red, nice fluffy tail with the white tip on it's tail. SCG this would have been a great tail to add to your collection.
I can't imagine what you all have to do to keep your birds and animals safe. I worry enough about the hawks.
Just saw a beautiful Bald Eagle yesterday, but we were driving, and it was in the next city. Don't see those very often in the valley.
I've had hawks scoop down right in front of me while I'm out there with my small flock. Cooper Hawks. They are a brazen little bird. Have had a big hawk get stuck on top of the chicken wire I have going across the top of the run once..years ago. I thought those guys could see better than that. My birds didn't go out for a few days. Watched the sky for those days. Have neighbors with chickens, one will call me if she sees a hawk circling, in go my birds.
The only four footed creature I have to worry about is cats. So far no dogs can get into our back yard, but those cats. Had a feral cat get one of my Heritage RIR pullets.

Animals follow streams and or green ways. There is a Green way in Davis, California that goes through the middle of down. Quite a while ago, a Mt. Lion was spotted in the middle of town. That part of Town also has a huge Raccoon problem. I sold some older hens to a couple that left the lid open on their coop on a very hot day. They next morning three of their 4 hens were dead.