Uh coyote's! Bad way to wake up.

[PortageGirl]

Coyotes EAT domestic dogs, they don't consider it canabalism... If you get a dog, it must be one that is prepared for wild predators which have been killing for a living. Putting a family pet out there that barks is likely a death sentance for it. (I'm thinking you're well aware of that but I needed to say it, sorry)

A full sized door or gate where the coyote got through might be good, or something very solid there. If the coyote is quick enough, electric may not work. If they can get through before it zaps em... just depends on their speed. Coyotes are smart though, so maybe they'll see the wires and know it means electricity.

It MAY hesitated to come back since it was trapped IN your yard for a while too... they're not terribly fond of that, if it could have been terrified enough at that moment with something scary enough, that might have been a deterent, but it seems pretty unfazed by loud noises already so I just don't know.

 

[Nikki28]

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.

Great tips thank you! Believe me I understand about people getting pets with no plans..or money. I have a ton of extra wire that I will run around the area I hadn't thought about doing that. The fence is buried an extra foot underground but added protection is best.

Lol on the beer and jar

all in the name of chickens!

PortageGirl: I'm not really going to get a dog. Thanks for being safe though

 

[babalubird]

There are people here in Texas that successfully pasture their poultry, mostly only during the day, deep in coyote country using guardian animals.

Personally I believe the best are livestock guardian dogs, breeds bred for centuries only for that purpose, like the Marramar, Akbash, Anatolian, Pyranese, etc., etc. It takes time to train, but these people seem to have very, very little predator loss to absolutely no predator loss. The dogs become very protective of their flocks and will even run off attackers from the sky as well as coyotes, raccoons, etc. They tend to warn, usually successfully, before actually attacking and killing another beast but will if they have to.

Others use donkeys or llamas which have a natural hatred of anything canine. However, I can't imagine these beasts going after anything that would not represent a threat to their own kind, such as hawks. Maybe? I don't know. The other disadvantage is, in spite of success many have had with these, I also read about only one donkey and one llama that used the chickens for toys. That scared me off them because both of these animals are much more independent in their thinking and therefore probably pretty hard to train out of something they regard as personal entertainment.

Connie