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You might consider an electric fence mechanism.. They are not very expensive. Perhaps a security light also with an alarm? Personally I'd educate them with lead but that's not always an option. Judgment Day will be interesting - and all paths lead there.
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My mother in law's coop is lined with cattle panels. Is there a way to secure a drop door to allow access IN but block the exit? Then you may kill the culprits? She has about 50 pet hens and guineas ... always brown eggs and funny round ones. Get a DALEK to exterminate them.... LOL
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Not a pleasant sight to wake up to , Niles, don't blame you for being angry. The poor chickens.  Good luck in getting those darn coyotes and stinky skunks. 
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How terrible!! Since you found only feathers and no blood etc. neither in the coop nor in the pasture, is it possible that the culprits were two- legged?? It would be strange for dogs or coyotes not to leave 'parts' , I think.
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You might consider an electric fence mechanism.. They are not very expensive. Perhaps a security light also with an alarm? Personally I'd educate them with lead but that's not always an option.
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My mother in law's coop is lined with cattle panels. Is there a way to secure a drop door to allow access IN but block the exit? Then you may kill the culprits? She has about 50 pet hens and guineas ... always brown eggs and funny round ones. Get a DALEK to exterminate them.... LOL
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Not a pleasant sight to wake up to , Niles, don't blame you for being angry. The poor chickens. Good luck in getting those darn coyotes and stinky skunks.
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How terrible!! Since you found only feathers and no blood etc. neither in the coop nor in the pasture, is it possible that the culprits were two- legged?? It would be strange for dogs or coyotes not to leave 'parts' , I think. Dogs will leave whole chickens and maybe eat a part of them, coyotes grab and run in fear of getting caught. Dogs have less fear of humans, coyotes are cowards and only seem to attack small animals and children. Though I knew someone who was attacked by a coyote and the reason she did was because she had pups near by. I walked out one bright sunny day and there was a coyote 20 feet from the coop. We just looked at each other, both of us stopped dead in our tracks. I wasn't sure if it was going to come at me, or not, so I yelled at it and it ran away. Believe me, I was glad it didn't take the challenge, I had no way to defend myself.
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I'm sorry for the loss of your chickens and stinky skunks attempting to take up residence under your house, I'd be upset and angry too. You mention the possibility of getting a donkey to chase away unwanted 'visitors' and/or alerting their presence with its loud brays as a possible practical solution - interesting. I just read llamas are naturally aggressive towards dogs and coyotes too, attempting to chase, kick, paw and kill them - too aggressive an alternative? I wish you every success in your endeavour/s to protect your next batch of chickens and keeping skunks at bay Nile.
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I'm sorry for the loss of your chickens and stinky skunks attempting to take up residence under your house, I'd be upset and angry too. You mention the possibility of getting a donkey to chase away unwanted 'visitors' and/or alerting their presence with its loud brays as a possible practical solution - interesting. I just read llamas are naturally aggressive towards dogs and coyotes too, attempting to chase, kick, paw and kill them - too aggressive an alternative? I wish you every success in your endeavour/s to protect your next batch of chickens and keeping skunks at bay Nile. I heard llamas hate dogs and coyotes as much as donkeys, but I know nothing of how to take care of a llama, a donkey doesn't cost much and will eat what I feed the horses. Donkeys are smart and stubborn, kind of cute. You know, I'm going to check into a llama and weigh the pros and cons on both animals... that is if I decide to get more chickens. I've been pricing baby chicks and they have almost doubled since the last time I purchased any. I'm thinking, is it worth it anymore, maybe I'm getting too old for all this extra work?
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So much aggravation!!!!! I hope you put the coyotes out of your misery for good. I am surprised they broke into the coop, I always looked at them as more creatures of opportunity. Did some lingering scent from your previous under house guests invite the new one in? Maybe there is a spray that will deter future visitors, once you get rid of this one. Haven't you heard you are supposed to slow down and enjoy your "old age"???? Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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So much aggravation!!!!! I hope you put the coyotes out of your misery for good. I am surprised they broke into the coop, I always looked at them as more creatures of opportunity. Did some lingering scent from your previous under house guests invite the new one in? Maybe there is a spray that will deter future visitors, once you get rid of this one. Haven't you heard you are supposed to slow down and enjoy your "old age"???? The coyotes in winter have a harder time finding food and I've heard them yipping for the past month out here. Now that my birds are all gone, I didn't hear them last night, and haven't heard any yet tonight. Maybe they've moved on, maybe not? So my birds were a food source and they took the opportunity to help themselves to somewhat of an easy meal. My birds are an enjoyment for me, it's the predators that are causing me to have to work harder. Snakes, bobcats, skunks, raccoons, stray dogs, neighbors dogs and coyotes all love the taste of chicken! Oh, and once in awhile hawks and fox get them too. I'm still debating on whether I'm going to get anymore birds, it's iffy at the moment. Maybe it is a smell attracting the skunks, I think I'll invest in a bottle of bobcat pee and spray it around the house, but if that smells really bad, maybe not, LOL. Yes, I know we're supposed to slow down and maybe I will just do that and stick with gardening.
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2/19/2022 7:25 pm |
Hi Nile. Before you get a donkey I would suggest that you get more information. Donkeys are very sensitive and protective but do not do well alone. You can go to the auction and buy a bonded pair. However, they can be easily startled by small animals. I was surprised when my three were afraid of a white Siamese cat that has taken up residence here. Even though I feed him he remains wild. You will find several groups on FB that deal with care of donkeys. A lone donkey can be horribly injured or killed by a pack of dogs or coyotes. Are you sure you don't have a lion or bobcat that is the problem?
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2/19/2022 7:36 pm |
One bit of advice, a llama is very protective but will jump a 6 foot fence and guard any animals within a two mile radius. I have had personal experience with this . Wonderful and dedicated but take their job way too serious ! You would need 6-8 ft elk fencing.
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2/19/2022 7:41 pm |
What kind of trap do you have for the coyotes .
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Hi Nile. Before you get a donkey I would suggest that you get more information. Donkeys are very sensitive and protective but do not do well alone. You can go to the auction and buy a bonded pair. However, they can be easily startled by small animals. I was surprised when my three were afraid of a white Siamese cat that has taken up residence here. Even though I feed him he remains wild. You will find several groups on FB that deal with care of donkeys. A lone donkey can be horribly injured or killed by a pack of dogs or coyotes. Are you sure you don't have a lion or bobcat that is the problem? I already figured out that a llama wouldn't work out after reading about donkey verses llama as guard animals. I use legs traps for coyotes.
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