Not directly chicken related, but chickens are on the menu here as well. We have had four cows mutilated or killed in our small neighborhood in the last half week or so. All have had their ears chewed/ripped off and muzzles torn up. The owner thought it was a panther (wouldn't be a first here) but I had the chance to looks at the tracks yesterday, definitely canine. That in itself is a relief, since I can shoot dogs or coyotes without legal repercussions. Another of the neighbors had three coyotes try to break into their coop last week (visual identification), so the first suspects are that pack. The thing is, none of the cows have been "eaten" and I was under the impression the coyotes also tended to hamstring large prey. Plus we also have LOTS of rabbits and other small much less dangerous prey for them (like chickens). I'm really thinking a pack of feral dogs, because the carcasses have not been consumed (dogs WILL kill for the "fun" of it), and the method of killing (just like a hog catch dog (mouth and ears). Lots of people have hog dogs out here, be easy for one to have joined a pack of feral dogs. If the carcass had been chewed on at all, I'd definitely put my money on the coyotes, but this just seems too out of character. Anybody see a confirmed coyote kill where they did this?
Thanks
Swamp
Thanks
Swamp