Coyotes vs Chickens Turkeys and Ducks The Delimma

Several years ago I had a huge problem with coyotes attacking my ducks, chickens, and turkeys which wouldn’t really seem that interesting until you hear how, (with some great help) I solved the problem.

When I was reading a question posted by dubuquedogtrainer on Hubpages about coyote attacks I was reminded of this problem with quite an unusual solution. I thought you might find it amusing so I thought I would share it

Several years ago I had more property resulting in more animals and a much larger barn and pond. At the time I had everything from ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeys which were all free range along with my horses, and dogs.

On two separate occasions in one week when I went out to feed in the morning I found several of my ducks literally massacred. If you’ve never read any of my hubs, know that I love all of my animals as if they were my family so therefore I was devastated. I immediately thought it was a newer puppy I had rescued who at that time was about 8-10 months old who had chased and almost caught several of the ducks (they were better swimmers and use to taunt him).

I planned to make sure during the following week that the doggy door was closed and the dogs couldn't get out without me. The next morning one of my turkeys and 3 chickens were gone as well. Knowing that it was probably coyotes due to the lack of other dogs and creatures where I was located I called Florida Wildlife Commission. They were extremely helpful and let me know it was probably coyotes and they would be traveling in packs. They also made me aware that I was not allowed to shoot or capture them that it had to be done by someone who was licensed through them.

OK, first off there is no way shape or form I could shoot a coyote or any other animal for that matter, anyway. Not that I am not capable (do pretty well at trap and skeet) as far as shooting skills, I could just never do that. I mean take a look at the video with the babies singing and then if you've ever seen the movie Powder, you might as well give it up now.

Then when I called one of the licensed individuals whose number I looked up on Florida Wildlife’s website he informed me that he would gladly come and stay out there at night to shoot them, but he would not trap them due to relocation issues. Ahhhhhhh!

Alright I am not an animal rights extreme activist (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I just can’t kill an animal, watch an animal be killed, don’t want to hear about it etc. Shoot I probably got sick 5 times cleaning up the mess from the coyotes. So I had quite the dilemma on my hands.

So as always off to my Google searches I went and what I found was absolutely so astonishing I had to call Florida Wildlife Commission back to make sure these stories were on the up and up. It seemed like every search there was suggestions to get a donkey. Yep, that’s right a donkey or some stated a llama (that was not going to happen). For whatever reason some thinking it was being territorial, others a natural dislike for coyotes and dogs, and some an instinct to herd, it all came down to the same answer. Shoot them or get a donkey.

I should probably mention that up until that point I had never really thought about a getting donkey and wasn’t really sure I wanted one then. So I did what every red blooded American country girl does when she’s not really sure about buying something and borrowed one That’s right you just borrow one, check it out and if it works you get your own.

The next day a friend of mine sister from a few towns over brought me a donkey to check out. I have to tell you that in the beginning, even with all their stories and confirmation from Florida Wildlife I pretty much wasn’t buying this whole idea.

Jack, (I know unique name right:)) the donkey seemed to make himself right at home and became very friendly with all my animals He didn’t even mind my dogs which was one of my concerns, but I think it was because they didn’t mind him being around.

For the next two weeks not one of my ducks, chickens, turkeys, or any other animal was injured and like it or not, I owed it all to Jack. I did hear him bellow pretty loudly a few times during the middle of the night, but there was never any evidence of injuries to him or the coyotes.

Jack went home after just a few weeks and although I never had another massacre, I never bought a donkey. Maybe the coyotes went somewhere else and found a new home with a new food source, or maybe they realized they had met their match with Jack. But I never had another problem while I lived there.

Take care and have an incredible day.