Chickens and coyotes...

[greenmojo]

We had 7 chickens... today, we have none.

For the past year and half, we left the coop open and the chickens were free to come and go as they wanted. They'd run around the cows and horses for protection and jump into the pine trees when frightened.

Then 1 month ago, we counted only 5.

Then 2 weeks ago, we counted 3.

Then yesterday we saw 1.

Today, there are no chickens.

... I was working on the solar panel rack the day before yesterday and saw a good sized coyote chasing a chicken around one of the horses, the horse just stood there following the action with its head as the chicken and the coyote made tight circles around him. I jumped down, didn't have a rifle nearby, so I ran over to the circle circus, and the yote bolted off out through the sage. Apparently coming back last night for the last one.

I just find it odd that they've been running around for 18 months out there, why all of a sudden this month... I was completely surprised they made it the first 2 weeks (told the wife they wouldn't make it a week) we put them out there, and I am not surprised they ultimately became coyote bait, just strange to have made it that long in coyote country.

~Moses

 

[Rustyiron]

Now he's waiting for you to restock!

 

[greenmojo]

ha!

I bought a digital night vision optic last year that records the action... maybe this is what was meant to be.

~Moses

 

[TomSeller]

Once they find where the candy is hidden, there will be no candy left. No sense having chickens on the loose if you have coyotes, both for the chicken's sake and so as to not feed and encourage the yotes.

 

[greenmojo]

Once they find where the candy is hidden, there will be no candy left. No sense having chickens on the loose if you have coyotes, both for the chicken's sake and so as to not feed and encourage the yotes.

Exactly... just surprised they hadn't found the chicken store sooner. Boggles me.

~Moses

 

[bcp]

Maybe a breed closer to the wild ancestors would have better survival skills.

Red junglefowl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bruce

 

[RobertBrown]

Things are always changing in coyote world. Perhaps the pups are weaned and now depleting the rodent population, forcing mom to look elsewhere.
Perhaps the need to expand the range was facilitated by another pack of yotes moving or expanding, pushing your yote to take the chickens.
Maybe the rodent population took a hit from weather, disease, or other predators.
It's certain that your yote has recognized a new high protein food source so keeping chickens is going to be an uphill battle from here on.
If you want chickens, your going to have to kill the coyote.

 

[greenmojo]

Things are always changing in coyote world. Perhaps the pups are weaned and now depleting the rodent population, forcing mom to look elsewhere.
Perhaps the need to expand the range was facilitated by another pack of yotes moving or expanding, pushing your yote to take the chickens.
Maybe the rodent population took a hit from weather, disease, or other predators.
It's certain that your yote has recognized a new high protein food source so keeping chickens is going to be an uphill battle from here on.
If you want chickens, your going to have to kill the coyote.

All true;

I imagine he'll be back tonight and the night after looking for more... I'll toss the night vision optics on tomorrow and get you all a picture of him.

~Moses

 

[mddorange]

We had neighbor's dog come over and kill over 20 of our chickens so I shot him. They neighbor threaten to fight it out but I still had the rifle so he called the police. The police told him I was well within my rights to protect my chickens and that he was required to replace them. The police had me take pictures and give an estimate of the cost to replace the chickens. He also stated that barring a long drown out legal battle I would probably never see a cent but that they would keep it on file in case there were more incidents. The neighbor got another dog but he doesn't come around.

 

[greenmojo]

We had neighbor's dog come over and kill over 20 of our chickens so I shot him. They neighbor threaten to fight it out but I still had the rifle so he called the police. The police told him I was well within my rights to protect my chickens and that he was required to replace them. The police had me take pictures and give an estimate of the cost to replace the chickens. He also stated that barring a long drown out legal battle I would probably never see a cent but that they would keep it on file in case there were more incidents. The neighbor got another dog but he doesn't come around.

Fences and leashes make good neighbors.