Coyote not scared of humans

[blinkk]

I got chickens for the first time last summer and have enjoyed their company. As I'm sure is true with many of you- they're more than just farm animals. They're part of our family.

A coyote has been running around the orchard. He got one chicken two weeks ago, so we kept the chickens inside their run since. They were raised free rangers, so they hate being in such a small place for so long.

Today I was moving things from the house to the garage, so I let them free range because I was outside with them moving things back and forth. I was watching them but one hen disappeared around the corner of the house. I didn't think much of it because they like to wander, and I was RIGHT THERE. A moment later, the rest of the flock ran around under the carport acting strange. I went around the back of the house and low and behold there's the coyote with a chicken in its mouth. I ran towards it waving my arm, trying to scare it away. It just stared at me and continued eating the bird. This coyote is totally desensitized to humans.

Eventually I got about 50 feet away, so it picked up the carcass and casually trotted away. I followed it, throwing rocks trying to scare it, but it didn't appear phased. It was calmly trotting away. There was no fear in that animal.

I practice Bojutsu (japanese martial art with a stick) so I grabbed my Bo staff off the front porch and RAN at the coyote because that's predator speak for "You better get out of my territory." The coyote didn't appear scared or frightened. It calmly trotted/walked into the woods to find a safe place to eat its kill. If it could talk it would have said, "Hey bro, calm down, I'll just move off to the side here..."

I'm totally devastated. This coyote is not frightened of humans and it ate my chicken right in front of me. It was hanging out on the other side of the house while I was moving my things. We even have a dog (who was inside at the time) but still- don't dog odors repel coyotes?

Has anyone ever dealt with this aggressive of a coyote? I got close to it and it didn't even blink.

 

[Grog]

SHOOT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! dont wait dont even try to live with it kill it right away

If you dont have a gun try a bow or even a spear if you can get close enough

 

[Northie]

That is odd, I would advise dealing with it from a safe distance or getting someone to do it for you. You should have been able to put a bear on the run with that kind of aggression. Either it's totally use to making a living off of raiding people's stuff or it's sick.

 

[nbenevento]

Yeah, something is off about this one. It needs put down as soon as possible for your chickens safety and yours.

 

[appps]

Can you also ask for help from whatever agency covers this sort of animal.?
Being that brave it could be chicken today small child tomorrow.

 

[4 the Birds]

Coyotes are pretty much afraid of adult humans. A lone coyote will run but I would not mess with a large hungry pack. Of course it will be more bold if a meal is close by. We use to have coyotes come up on our back deck frequently and one even tangled with our big tomcat. The cat is tougher than nails and got away. It did need some reconstructive surgery to its arm but it is fine today. They were a huge pest and noisy howling at night. We now have the farm perimeter fenced and own a dog pack (7 dogs). The coyotes have moved on. Last Summer we had a coyote get on the property and it was in a PANIC! It got back out and it is a good thing that the dogs were not in the area at the time. If they would have cornered it then it would not have been pretty.

 

[centrarchid]

Urban coyotes and foxes generally have no reason to fear humans.

 

[blinkk]

This is my first flock, and I've never dealt with a predator before. My landlord has a gun and he'll help us take care of it. He said next time I see the coyote don't approach it, just call him. I wish it hadn't cost 2 of our chicken's lives.

 

[centrarchid]

This is my first flock, and I've never dealt with a predator before. My landlord has a gun and he'll help us take care of it. He said next time I see the coyote don't approach it, just call him. I wish it hadn't cost 2 of our chicken's lives.

Keeping poultry free-range involves losses as part of the game. Try to be proactive making it so birds have some type of protection. Go after coyote specifically is reactionary where you usually loose a bird or two before problem fixed; be assured there will be more coyotes, foxes and dogs. Consider something like electrified poultry netting. Coyotes can visit all day but are not likely to be able to get at birds unless they jump up and over and that does not seem to be a regular event.

 

[blinkk]

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

Coyote came back today for more good eats. My husband was outside on the porch when he saw the coyote, so he quietly slipped inside and grabbed his bow. He only had his practice arrows, but at least he hit the coyote in the butt (good aim, honey!) Coyote ran away with nothing but a bruise.

I hope this doesn't turn into a coyote saga...