Uh coyote's! Bad way to wake up.

[Nikki28]

my chickens are okay

It's 5:25 am here in AZ and I woke up to hear my neighbors dogs barking there heads off and then the sound of an air horn. We have a guy a few houses down that collects cats and just lets them walk in and out of his house all the time so coyotes are a big issue here.
At first I thought they were just at his place again until I heard something fall in the car port.

The chickens area is 14' x 14' and completely fenced in overtop and all around the only open area at all is the 2' area over the gate which is in the carport. The chickens were just put outside last Sunday and a coyote has already figured out how to get in. He went past all the barking dogs and air horns and and a motion sensitive fog light and when I went out he just stared at me then trotted across my property back to the cover of bushes.

So....what now? The 2' area over the gate is so we can walk in and out easily and I would like to not cover it . It would do no good to lock them in there coop because it is a make shift one anyway and a coyote could get through it if it wanted to. So until theres is done... I'm really tired so I'm sorry if the post doesnt make sense. For the rest of the dark time before sunrise I put boxes and my motorcycle guarding the entrance to the area.

So does anyone have any tips on warding off coyotes? Other than big barking dogs airhorns and fog lights because those do not work apparently.

thanks - Nikki



Edited to say: We are almost done with their actual coop we just got behind in the building process.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I'm sure you are frustrated right now, and you're probably not going to like my advice.

You need a real coop, or your chickens are going to be coyote dinner. Coyotes are smart, and they'll figure out how to get in.

One thing you can do "for the time being" is sprinkle human urine around the yard and around your coop. I have heard that sometimes deters predators.

Do you need some help coming up with inexpensive plans for coop building or ideas for where to find cheap building materials? So many BYCers have come up with wonderful ideas. Let us know how we can help you.

 

[Comet Mum]

I'd get some electric fencing NOW and then build a better coop and include electric fencing in the new design as well.

 

[Nikki28]

Oh no we are building one (sorry should have included that

) It should be done by next weekend and does have a locking door to it. I didnt think that the coyotes would have figured out the one opening to the area in such a short amount of time. I know they are smart but he would have had to of taken a good deal of chances to get through the carport I figured that alone would make them think about it in time for us to finnish the coop.

I would never get offended at a helpful comment like that

Edited to say: What they are in now is a little coop 2 1/2'x4' that they went into in my green room after they left the brooder. It's sturdy but def not coyote proof. The one we are making is 5' x 3' and very sturdy (and heavy) with a latch door which unless they grow opposable thumbs shouldnt be an issue.....I think, I hope

I think there is a hunting place where you can by urine (mountain lion or something) I don't know. If the human urine works I'll have to tack that on to my mans honey do list.

 

[Nikki28]

Quote:
Not a bad idea. Do you use electric fencing?

 

[Comet Mum]

Quote:
Not a bad idea. Do you use electric fencing?

Yes, last year, we used electric fencing around my vegetable gardens for deer and rabbits and had no munching. This fall we got chickens and as soon as the weather dries out here we are putting up two strands around the coop and run. We are having weather interruptions in our construction but the experience last year with my garden sold this city girl on the benefits of electricity!

 

[Fredster]

A big barking dog IN with the chickens would be a pretty good deterrent, I'd think.

 

[Nikki28]

I'll look into it thanks comet mum!

 

[Nikki28]

Quote:
hmmmm new pet?

The neighbors big barking dogs are 30 feet away in a fenced in yard and out all night which is why I thought that would be a good place to put the chicken area.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
Once you've been around BYC for a while, you'll notice that there are a few people who buy animals, but don't make any plans about how to house them or take care of them properly. Then they run into trouble. I'm glad you're not one of them!

Your new coop sounds really cool and very safe, and I'm sure your chickens will love it!

Make sure the run is secure and that things can't dig under it, because coyotes will dig. One thing some people do is bury wire mesh about 2 feet all around the outside of the run to discourage predators. Some people even cover that mesh with cement. Also, make sure to close the pophole door every night just in case something should break into your run.

Buy your husband a 12-pack of beer and hand him an old jar. Ha ha ha.