What could kill and eat 30 chickens in 1 night and not leave a single body.

[th_roster]

Do you have pine trees on your property?

 

[EggWalrus]

Can we get back to discussing chickens and end the cat fights and pissing match. You both could be right depending on where the damn coyotes are located.

 

[EggWalrus]

Do you have pine trees on your property?

Yep. It was covered in pines from 25 years of no maintenance and everything just growing wild. Pine, Privet, Wisteria and Kudzu. It was one helluva mess before I got a bulldozer after it. I'm still trying to get the wisteria and kudzu under control. Those two are just about bullet proof and refuse to die!

 

[th_roster]

No they are not. Coyotes do not have packs, excluding Eastern Coyotes. On top of that there is not "only one" female per pack. Coyote packs that exist operate like wolf packs, and wolf packs definitely do not only have one female per pack. Your link says nothing about only one female.
Coyotes mate for life and a pair is the "alphas" of the pack. If the pack (which is really just a familial unit) stays together, any dominant pups are driven out. Usually males, which may mate with the alpha female... or the subordinate females. Females are the ones that stay. I have no idea where you heard your information, but please, do some research! I can get you some great links if you wish

I will tell you a story, If i had of seen it on video i wouldn't believe it. My neighbor let has male dog out to do is business. A pack of coyotes left a female coyote next to his garage to draw his dog over to check her out. when he got close enough they killed and ate him. how about that for intelligence.

 

[th_roster]

I will tell you a story, If i had of seen it on video i wouldn't believe it. My neighbor let has male dog out to do is business. A pack of coyotes left a female coyote next to his garage to draw his dog over to check her out. when he got close enough they killed and ate him. how about that for intelligence.

What is you definition of a pack?

 

[Sunshine Flock]

This is an article primarily on Eastern coyotes, it does include Western as well. Also, a simple search on either will bring up several sites, including Wikipedia that's all pretty say the same things.
http://www.coyotesmarts.org/coyotes101/
I am very sorry for your loss. I am certainly not an expert in predators, but coyotes live in close proximity to us. We have come across many dens in the rock crevices and small caves along our creek. So we pay attention to their habits and know when to expect them through our property.
I hope thing go well for you and your wife.
Please accept my apologies if my comments have upset or made matters more confusing. It certainly isn't my intention. Best of luck to you both.

I found all of these comments to be incredibly insightful and interesting!

(Edited to change "If found" to "I found" ... chicken in my lap made me do that!)

 

[Welshies]

I will tell you a story, If i had of seen it on video i wouldn't believe it. My neighbor let has male dog out to do is business. A pack of coyotes left a female coyote next to his garage to draw his dog over to check her out. when he got close enough they killed and ate him. how about that for intelligence.

Coyotes are very smart. They'll do that!

 

[th_roster]

During bad weather chickens are like Turkeys. In the day time they will scratch under logs and trees and pines, any where they can find ground. Then at night they will roost in pines to stay save. Chickens can't stand snow! If you have a brood hen she will find the thickest under brush she can to keep the chicks save. If you think they are there look under brush and down logs in the day time, with a good flash light go and look in the trees on your property on lower limbs about 8-9 feet off the ground, they will sit next to where the limb meets to tree. if you have pine trees with lower branches look there 1st. All the same rules apply 8-9 feet off the ground where the limb meets the tree.

 

[th_roster]

Security is one of those things that you can never really have, every year i make improvements and keep trying. about three years ago I bought 50 Australorp, I though they where safe. I went to the barn and checked ever night at 2 am, set the alarm and everything. Then one night i went to check and a raccoon was having chick mac nuggets. With a metal trash can top and a pitchfork i fought off a 40-45 lbs. raccoon.
I lost 30 chicks that night. I also, after a lot of reading learned that raccoons can unwind chicken wire. I replaced the wire with 1*2 welded wire. I also have my brooders hanging from the rafters in the barn.
I also suggest, if you are going to free-range to buy a type that is good at living out doors, and fending on there own.

 

[th_roster]

When the the moon is full some breads of chickens are more mobile and robust. Light affects them a lot. but most people here know that. at any rate I was just asking a question that the original poster may want to consider.