"Backyard Chickens: Debunking the Myth About Coyote Attraction"
Many people “feel” that keeping chickens in your backyard will attract coyotes to the area, without any real evidence. Norridge community Facebook pages have numerous posts about coyote and fox sightings dating back years. It is important to note that chickens are prohibited in Norridge, yet there are obviously coyotes present.
It is true that coyotes can attack unprotected pets, including chickens. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the safety of all pets from predators. The Urban Coyote Research Project, a Cook County-funded research group that studies coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area, suggest "securing chicken coops with all-sided fencing (must have wire top and extend into the ground), the coyotes (as well as other predators) should learn that chickens are not a food source because they never get the chance to prey on the animals” and will move on to easier prey. CLUCK for Norridge advocates using this type of enclosure to keep chickens safe from coyotes and other predators.
In Norridge, coyotes and other predators are already seen in backyards due to various enticing factors, including bird feeders, garbage, pet food, unsecured compost heaps, and gardens. It is important to note that these predators are not attracted to yards to eat human leftovers; instead, they are in search of small creatures such as rabbits, mice, rats, and squirrels that are. Therefore, the only effective way to reduce Norridge's coyote population is by decreasing their primary food source—small rodents.
The Urban Coyote Research Project found that large wild bird feeders attract coyotes to Chicago yards more than any other source. as they provide food for small rodents. It's important to note that backyard chickens don't contribute to this issue.
References
E Hance Ellington , Stanley D Gehrt, Behavioral responses by an apex predator to urbanization, Behavioral Ecology, Volume 30, Issue 3, May/June 2019, Pages 821–829, https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arz019
Stanley D. Gehrt and others, Home Range and Landscape Use of Coyotes in a Metropolitan Landscape: Conflict or Coexistence?, Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 90, Issue 5, 15 October 2009, Pages 1045–1057, https://doi.org/10.1644/08-MAMM-A-277.1
