The Worst!!!!!

My chickens have been free ranginging our property for several years now. We have lost a bird here and there to predation, but today I came home from work to find annihilation of most of my flock. I am just sick.
There are feathers, where individual killings must have taken place, all over my property. And I found one of my young Brahmas back in the woods, dead. The roosters were all killed in close proximity to the coop, around the barnyard. I am sure they put up a valliant fight.
I had lost a few birds over the last couple of days, and did see a coyote yesterday morning. My husband, who is usually home all day, is out of town. I have to go to work, but waited this morning to see if I saw the coyote. By 8:30, when I have to leave, I did not see it, so I let the chickens out. We have had some hawk attacks in broad daylight, but never have the coyotes been so bold. That one must have returned with a pack. I guess they realized the place was totally unprotected, and just had a free for all.
I wish now, I had left them cooped up, or at least left the barn open where they could have taken cover. Some of them were several years old and very much loved. I could just die of regret.....

 

Thank you all. It has been depressingly quiet around here. I miss hearing my roosters. And no one to greet me when I get home.
I did let them out when I got home today, but was afraid to leave the barnyard. But they will not be getting back out for any length of time, until my /DH gets back. He is travelling a lot this fall. :-(
I love having the chickens range all over our property, but free ranging has its disadvantages.
We've just got to get rid of those devil coyotes.......