Coyotes killing everything, ever heard of this method to kill the predator?

[janjan1]

Im at wits end. I have two flocks, both have roosters. One flock is free ranging at the barn (with 6 horses) and one smaller group( was 6, now 2) is in a 30 X 30 good fence pen with a really nice coop. (these use to be out during the day to free range also, but not anymore) I use to have about 25-30 at the barn but that number has been GREATLY reduced to 10 by coyotes coming into the barn and grabbing chickens off their roosts and while unawares. Feathers and body parts can be seen at various places in my paddocks after each attack. These attacks are not only happening at night, but at dusk and during the days too. My yard guy has seen what looks to be a female with about 4 smaller coyotes, so I know where there is one, there is more. My husband made me buy a LARGE have a heart trap with a live well (for a live chicken as bait) that is double caed for its safety. I have not caught anything. Nothing. When I was buying the cage at the local Tractor Supply, there was a couple good ole country guys who asked me what I was attempting to catch. I explained the issues....in detail. They told me right off, little lady, you aint gonna catch a yote with that thing. You are wasting your cash & time, but if you want to catch a yote we will tell you exactly how, but it may not be pretty. Well it aint pretty to pick up my torn up babies either so I eagerly asked them how to get rid of them. Having said that, I dont believe in being a tree hugger or party to PETA when my chickens are torn apart while alive. Now I ask you guys, have you heard of fishing for coyotes? Or hooking coyotes? It seems to get a HUGE three hooked fishing hook, fasten to a tree with the hook being a foot off the ground. Place raw meat, liver or a dead chicken onto the hook and wait. The coyote will jump up, grab the meat, become hooked and will thrash around and hopefully break it neck or hang there until you come out and shoot said coyote. Either way, they will be dead shortly. Now I understand this may not be humain, but is ripping my babies apart either? Anyone tried this? And thoughts on this?
TIA
Jan

 

[gilmeryote]

Those guys are going to get you in a lot of trouble with the game warden.They would put you under the jail if you were caught doing that,highly illegal. You might luck up and catch one of the young ones in a cage trap but a mature one is not likely to fall for it. Foot hold traps are most effective. If you weren't so far from me I could catch them for you,but there should be some trappers in your area. You can contact DNR and they can give you a list of nuisance trappers if you're not able to handle it yourself. I understand your frustration and I'm not trying to fuss at you but it wouldn't be worth the trouble you'd get into for hooking them if you got caught.

 

[V-NH]

The best solution is a 30-30 lever action rifle. That is what I would use to solve the problem, at least.

 

[what did I do]

I agree with the game warden. Call them first. If we have big coyote problems we call the state hunter. The state hunter got 60 coyote near us this spring.

I take it you have no desire to shoot the coyote or take care of it yourself? Or maybe you live in an area that is too populated to comfortably take care of this coyote. If this is the case you need to make the chickens more secure. Build a decent predator proof coop for them.

 

[speckledhen]

Aside from the torturous method of killing, you'd only get one at a time that way and it won't deter the others. I'm not sure but what it's an illegal method as well. What I think you may want to consider is a livestock guardian dog or two. Won't be an instant fix, but in the long run, a much better method of protecting your birds.

 

[Fred's Hens]

In most places, shooting coyotes on sight is permissible. Further, in most places, any dog or coyote that threatens livestock can be taken out. Easy as that and perfectly legal.

However, posting on a public forum a conversation with some good old boys whose suggestions may be lethal but also criminal or at least punishable as cruelty is not a smart thing to converse about. Just keep all such things to oneself. Most predator solutions involve being very hushed about it. Loose lips sink ships. Word to the wise.

 

[forgetful]

We've been having the same problem. I was cleaning stalls and saw one prance across the yard IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY! Scared the poop out of me. The boss honestly grabs his rifle for them. They've been wiping us out and we're down to five hens and two Roos from a flock of twenty plus. My boss said he used to bait traps with chicken and let them catch a few, then arm the trap. He'd get ten or so this way. But please find a trapper or someone to get rid of them! We live in wooded area and he contacted before hand and knows a few people.

 

[SobbaChickens]

I'm no tree hugger but yuck!!

I think a call to the game warden would be best. Since you already have horses how about adding a llama or donkey?

 

[janjan1]

I agree that a call to the local game warden is something on my agenda about the coyote control in my area. The good ole boys may be doing things that aint exactly legal and I dont want to get my butt into a jam at their suggestion. But I found it interesting that they openly advised me in public about how they (and their family/cohorts/friends) do things not 20 miles from me. I do have a 30-30 Marlin, a 12 guage and a nice little 40 cal handgun which could easily take care of a coyote......if I could get them in my sights. We may be in the north Georgia mountains, but we are not all hillbillies since Im trying to do things right and legal.
Thanks
Jan

 

[gilmeryote]

There's nothing wrong with asking questions, you haven't done any thing wrong. The reason those fellas were encouraging you to do that was because they're morons. Shooting yotes is fine if you have the time to wait on'em. State of Georgia says you can defend your live stock with legal methods, they're considered varmints and can be taken year round. I trap yotes for several farmers in my area and it is by far the most effective way to deal with them.