**Update**they're gone**They're not all in the coop tonight!

[noodleroo]

In thinking more about it, I really think the coyotes came close because of the mowing on the neighboring property. We have a predator control fence but it has flaws. We are on a back bay so we have two fences that go out into the water, one through marsh. Another place they could get in is a place that our bull kept squishing the fence to step over it; they could jump that easily and it is on the side where the mowing was done. I'm still hopeful that some are just scattered from being chased and I haven't been out there yet today. We will be dispatching the coyotes in one of several ways, but I will be there in the evenings to make sure they make it into the coop at dark. I'll update on the progress later.

 

[EE lover:)]

omigosh im sorry...

 

[Amyh]

I know I'll probably get flamed, but I think it's wrong to kill the coyotes. It is in their nature to hunt for easy prey and when we free range our chickens, they make for easy prey. The coyotes are a part of the environment because they are filling a hole that wolves and other predator animals left because of humans killing them... As you said, they were probably after the mice in the neighboring field and they serve the purpose of killing those mice instead of them swarming your home when the fields are hogbushed.

Predator animals are needed in our environment to serve that purpose... killing smaller animals that can be nuisances. Without predators the environment is unbalanced and humans have to use artificial means to get rid of the pests... such as pesticides...

I also let my chickens free range. I use them as tick and flea control and eventually for organic eggs... because I don't want to deal with pesticides on my dogs, cats, in my yard and in my food. I have them in a half an acre fenced area that is protected by my dogs. Coyotes can't get in... although other animals I'm sure could... we will have to accept that as part of our losses.

A foolish person thinks that killing a link in the food chain makes for a better food chain!

 

[Critter Crazed]

Amy, not a good place at all for that right now...

I'm so sorry noodle

I hope your babies are just scattered and at least a few will come home to you safe, soon.

 

[noodleroo]

Amyh; I understand your feelings. If we didn't have livestock out there, I'd just enjoy them for their singing and let them be. Or if it were just one. But we have cows just about to drop calves and I've seen, in person, what a pack of coyotes can do to a calf and even a full grown whitetail deer. Between the chickens and the cows, the coyotes have got to go. We do what we can to keep our animals safe and realize that there are predators around and we can live with them one at a time; bobcats, coyotes, all four poisonous snakes in Texas (really), coons, fox, hawks and I'm sure I've missed some. If it is a pack of coyotes, we've got to get rid of them.

 

[BackToMyRoots]

Edited to include the most important part: I'm sorry for your loss! I can't believe I forgot this part, because I sure was thinking it.

I'm not sure about the coyote question. All I know is that when I was young we and our neighbors successfully shot and poisoned almost every coyote for a ten-mile radius. A year after the last pack was broken up, we were all overrun by jackrabbits, ground squirrels, field mice, etc. The following year we could hardly go outside for all the rattlesnakes (one bit our Great Dane), and then the mountain lions and hawks went crazy. The worst is that most of us still lost our remaining free-range fowl, so it was all for nothing. Now my parents and the other old-timers tell the newcomers to lock up the fowl, get a good dog, and leave the coyotes alone! A side benefit was being able to socialize with the ranger, who was no longer the enemy.

 

[Amyh]

I am truly sorry about the chickens being killed, I just wanted to express my feelings on killing predators because I think many on this board are "chicken" for fear of getting flamed...

Many cattle farmers in my area of the South East use donkeys and mules to protect their cows from coyotes. From what I hear, they are wonderful at protecting a herd!

 

[noodleroo]

Quote:
I would love to do this, but DH doesn't want to. This is a small piece of property, just 52 acres and we have a much bigger adjoining property leased for cattle. Most of the time, the predator wire keeps the coyotes out. I think they were close, saw the chickens and that was that. I really am not sure exactly where they got in but they just are not going to be allowed to stay or come back.

I agree that coyotes serve a purpose and are part of a balance that is important. They are all around the 52 acres. I don't believe that there would have been a pack that close to any structures had the pasture not been mowed.

And for the record, I don't mind at all when people disagree with my opinions. When I'm right every time, I'll let you all know. Until then, a friendly difference of opinion just helps everybody learn. Be nice though...

 

[noodleroo]

I made sure the chickens were safely in their coop tonight; beautiful sunset by the way- lots of pinks. No sign of the missing birds. I could hear coyotes way on the other side of the ranch next to us; not a concern for tonight. I guess my chickens are gone.

Thank you all for your support. I appreciate your kind thoughts and even opinions that differ with mine. I guess it kinda feels like family...

 

[tuesdays chicks]

Quote:
I would love to do this, but DH doesn't want to. This is a small piece of property, just 52 acres and we have a much bigger adjoining property leased for cattle. Most of the time, the predator wire keeps the coyotes out. I think they were close, saw the chickens and that was that. I really am not sure exactly where they got in but they just are not going to be allowed to stay or come back.

I agree that coyotes serve a purpose and are part of a balance that is important. They are all around the 52 acres. I don't believe that there would have been a pack that close to any structures had the pasture not been mowed.

And for the record, I don't mind at all when people disagree with my opinions. When I'm right every time, I'll let you all know. Until then, a friendly difference of opinion just helps everybody learn. Be nice though...

sorry had to giggle at your small piece of property I guess in texas it might be. for most of us true byc people we're looking at less then an acre as our back yard.