It is spring and farm babies are all around us. Those cute little balls of fur or feathers, as well as the four-legged little ones are all easy prey for predators. This came to light for us last week when we got up and a coyote was chasing some of our flock. They all ran into the pasture with the big horses. The coyote confused ran into the woods and decided he would try to sneak up again. This time he was met by humans and has not been back since.
We have not been so lucky in the past as we were last week. Several years ago, I was short on time and decided to drive down to feed the animals. I loaded up the three dogs in the van and off we went. Never in a million years would I have thought that was the safest decision I could have made.
As the dogs and I approached the barn, there were five coyotes. I laid on the horn and my dogs went berserk. Thank goodness for cell phones. My son could hardly hear me for the dogs barking. After scaring off the coyotes, I turned around and went back to the house where my son and I kenneled the dogs for their safety. Then we went back to the barn to access the damage. The coyotes won that night-two calves, all my ornamental pheasants, and some of my regular pheasants. They could not get in the turkey coop or the chicken coop. The next night either a bobcat or a raccoon literally tore through the one-inch chicken wire and only my rooster survived. The turkey was lucky-once again, that coop withstood the predator.
This was devastating to me. I believe you get out of an animal what you put into an animal. Some would say my pets and livestock have it easy. I say my pets give me great enjoyment and my livestock feeds the family well.
We are no longer at that large farm and have downsized to a 10-acre farm. When we first moved here, I told my husband I wanted the barn to be like Ft. Knox . That did not happen, but we did shut the calves in at night.
Predators will always be a threat but I will do my best to protect my animals. For those five coyotes, only three managed to survive the weekend. The game warden talked with us for quite some time and gave us lots of tips as well as the go ahead to eliminate the coyotes.
The bobcat was seen on several occasions. Once, playing with the bate container the guys left in the tank overnight. My son went to get it the next morning and there was that bobcat batting that container around with its paws having a good old time. My son chased it away with the truck then went fishing.
For me, I will leave the coyotes and other predators alone, as long as they leave me and my animals alone.
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