What do you do about coyote attacks?

Question

I live in Orange County, and recently, some of the hilly areas around my house have been developed--leaving the many coyotes that lived there with no where to go. Now the coyotes are moving into the neighborhoods and killing pets. They're getting bolder too, and starting to come out during the day, near elementary schools. Its kind of scary.
Last night one of them killed our pet rabbit, and tried to get to our chickens too. Now, we have to keep our cats in the house. It's hard to keep them indoors all the time though.
I feel bad for the poor coyotes who have no where to go, but they can't stay here.
I was just wondering how other people have dealt with this problem. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

You need to place a call to your county wildlife preserve. Coyotes aren't known to approach people- but some will if they are malnourished and have no food supply. When the construction took over their natural habitat they probably were trapped in between the construction and other housing communities.
Your community can actually press charges against the construction companies that encroached on the coyotes habitat. Especially since they have been killing off neighborhood pets and approaching community areas in daylight. There are laws that protect you and these animals and in this case should be enforced.
By law the construction foreman should have notified county services which would have sent out the Wildlife Reserve Aids to canvas the area and determine if it was housing any abundance of wild animals- this is mainly to protect any animals that are going extinct and may be pushed out of their land due to human encroachment. But it also protects wild packs or herds of any wildlife. If the foreman passed off having this done he can be liable for any damage done to your community.

Contact your local wildlife reserve and then your mayor. The Wildlife rescue will set up live traps to catch the coyotes. They will then vaccinate and microchip each one and then take them to an area that is still in it's natural state.
If you don't then people will start shooting at the coyotes and a stray family dog or cat could be shot by mistake. This happened a while back in my county- but a young child was shot and killed. Hopefully this doesn't happen to your.

Answer 2

You have a project this weekend!
If they already killed your pet rabbit, they are getting bold, as you said. If I were you, your chickens would be what I would be worried about. They already got an easy meal with your rabbit, and are probably getting hungry again. The other post that suggested an electric fence is right. Put it on the outside of your chicken area, 2-3 different heights, and it isn't too complicated. You can get several different types, from solar to old school. I use the old ones, with a good copper ground. For you to feed your chickens, get some hand insulators so you can open and walk through.
Good for you, keep your cats safe. They are a quick snack for a coyote.
If you have kids, and if they are ever in a bad situation with a coyote, make sure they know to flap their jacket, swing their bookbag, yell, or anything else that makes them appear intimidating to a coyote. Never run!
Coyotes are a very adaptable creature, and although developments move into their area, they will take full advantage of garbage, road trash, etc. They are smart and cunning.
They are a menace to lambs around here, and where I'm from they have coyote hunts. It might sound cruel to some, but we would be overrun if they didn't get thinned out.
Good luck with your birds!

Answer 3

You're doing the best thing by keeping your animals inside. Here are some other suggestions I found on a USDA website.

Do not feed coyotes!
Eliminate sources of water, particularly in dry climates.
Bird feeders should be positioned so that coyotes can't get the feed. Coyotes are attracted by bread, table scraps, and even seed. They may also be attracted by birds and rodents that come to the feeders.
Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it.
Secure garbage containers and eliminate garbage odors.
Feed pets indoors whenever possible. Pick up any leftovers if feeding outdoors. Store pet and livestock feed where it is inaccessible to wildlife.
Trim and clean, near ground level, any shrubbery that provides hiding cover for coyotes or prey.
Fencing your yard could deter coyotes. The fence should be at least 6 feet high with the bottom extending at least 6 inches below ground level for best results.
Don't leave small children unattended outside if coyotes have been frequenting the area.
Don't allow pets to run free. Keep them safely confined and provide secure nighttime housing for them. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for poultry, rabbits, and other vulnerable animals.
Discourage coyotes from frequenting your area. If you start seeing coyotes around your home or property, chase them away by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks.

Answer 4

We lived in Colorado and had the same problem with Mountain Lions. We put a hole just big enough for our cat (and dog) to get out and then built a chain link fenced area for the cat outdoors with a roof, all attached to the house. We put big rock (like the size of basketballs) around the perimeter on the in and outside all around. This gives the cat a limited area to roam in, but upon an attack the cat has time to get into the house and the lion doesn't fit in the hole, therefore can't get in to get the cat. For coyote's I would assume you could do a similar thing, they aren't big enough to rip a chain link enclosure apart. And if they are strong enough it would be too much work for them and they should give up. It is worth a try. I know it is hard living among the wildlife. You could also try deterents around the parameter of the yard, i.e. hot wire low enough that they would hit it coming into the yard. Hot wire is live wire, usually used to keep cattle and horses in a certain area. We used it for the deer that kept coming into our yard. They only need to get zapped a couple times and they will quit coming around. The hot wire doesn't kill them, it just zaps them and they don't like it. That could work well around your coop too. Just build an enclosure so the chickens can't get to the wire, then put the wire around that.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 5

The same thing happened last year up near Seattle. A coyote is a mean predator, but they are very skittish. When they become unaffraid, they are DANGEROUS!! There have been some horrble occurances here in Washington. It's terribly scary. Here's the news article (it has some good tips for you too): http://www.kirotv.com/news/9023772/detail.html

Answer 6

1 don't feel bad for them
2 if you want you animals hurt just sit there and do nothing
3 get a gun and shoot them or if you really do have a real soft heart for them when ever they come around just shoot a gun over their heads

ideas to solve the problem without killing the animals

I suggest having a red " or any color you want red is probably more affective" strobe light on top of your chicken coop it should scare them off

or you could sit a high pitch noise off when ever they come around

but i think your best chance would be the strobe light

at least you don't have wolves

Sadie

just remember they are scared of you until you show you are scared of them

Answer 7

I am from out west. Coyotes are a very smart and harmfull dog. You and your neighbors may need to hire a Coyote hunter, or wire your place with an electric fence.

Answer 8

I think that is a problem that the county would deal with.

Answer 9

Try talking to animal control. They might be able to capture them and relocate them.

Answer 10

Try county sherrif dept. maybe they can be able to direct you.If there are to many they need to be culled.