Coyotes are adaptable, opportunistic predators found across North America. Their expanding territory and proximity to livestock production lead to conflict. While coyotes scavenge, they are also documented predators of cattle, representing a financial challenge. Understanding the circumstances that lead to an attack is fundamental to managing this dynamic.
Predation Patterns and Targets
Coyote predation on cattle is highly selective, focusing almost entirely on the youngest members of the herd. Healthy, adult cows are rarely targeted; attacks on mature animals usually suggest the cow was injured, ill, or experiencing difficulty during calving. The vast majority of losses occur among newborn calves, particularly those less than one month old.
Coyotes are responsible for over half of all calf deaths attributed to predation, making them the primary predator of calves in the United States. Although the rate of loss is low nationwide, the economic impact can be significant for individual cattle operations. Predation risk is often higher for cattle than for sheep.
When a coyote targets a young calf, the attack is typically swift and focused. Calves less than one week old are commonly attacked on the flank or abdomen, with feeding starting on the internal organs. Older calves that can run or fight back may exhibit bite marks on the hind legs, back, or neck. This behavior is driven by the nutritional demands of the spring and summer pup-rearing season.
Identifying Vulnerability in Cattle
The most susceptible animals are newborn calves, with those under three weeks of age facing the highest risk. Calves that are weak, ill, or have a low birth weight are more likely to be singled out by a coyote. These compromised animals often struggle to keep up with the herd, delaying the crucial bonding period with the mother.
A cow’s maternal behavior also influences a calf’s vulnerability. First-time mothers or those with poor maternal instincts may not aggressively defend their newborns. The risk level is directly tied to the timing of the herd’s calving season, as the presence of many young calves provides an abundant, easy food source for coyotes.
Environmental factors in the pasture can also elevate risk. Areas with dense brush, thick vegetation, or remote, rugged terrain provide coyotes with cover for approach and attack. Confining cattle to smaller, open pastures during calving allows for better surveillance and reduces the opportunity for a coyote to ambush a calf.
Non-Lethal Deterrence Strategies
Implementing changes in animal husbandry practices is a primary non-lethal strategy for reducing predation. Producers can significantly decrease losses by confining cows and calves to a small, protected pasture or pen during the high-risk calving season. Confining young calves at night, or shortening the overall calving period to a few weeks, limits predator access.
Properly constructed fencing acts as a physical barrier to deter coyotes. A net-wire fence, at least six feet high, is effective, especially if it includes an apron buried in the ground to prevent digging. Electric fencing is another option, using multiple strands of wire placed close to the ground to deliver a discouraging shock. The fence must be routinely maintained and kept free of vegetation to ensure the charge remains effective.
Introducing livestock guardian animals (LGAs) is a biological deterrent that leverages the innate protective instincts of other species. Dogs, such as Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherds, or even llamas and donkeys, can effectively patrol the herd and confront coyotes. The constant presence of an LGA disrupts the coyote’s attempt to isolate and attack a calf.
Sensory deterrents can also be used to discourage coyotes from entering an area, although their effectiveness often diminishes over time. Devices that employ flashing or strobe lights can create the illusion of a human presence or the eyes of a competing predator. Loud noises, such as motion-activated sirens or radios tuned to stations with human voices, can also temporarily deter coyotes from approaching a pasture.
Distinguishing Coyote Attacks from Other Predators
When a dead calf is discovered, determining the cause of death requires examining the carcass for specific forensic signs. The most telling evidence is the presence of subcutaneous hemorrhaging, or bleeding under the skin, at the point of injury, which confirms the animal was alive when the wounds were inflicted. Without this sign, the death may have been due to illness, with the carcass later scavenged.
Coyotes typically make small, precise puncture wounds, often focusing on the flank or anus to access internal organs. The feeding pattern is focused, starting with soft tissues and viscera. In contrast, domestic dog attacks often result in scattered, non-fatal injuries, including ripped skin and lacerations on the hide or hindquarters. Dogs rarely feed on their kill, while coyotes frequently return to a carcass.
Track size and spacing can differentiate the predator, as a coyote’s average stride is longer than that of a domestic dog of similar size. Coyotes are also more likely to carry off smaller prey to a secluded location. Finding the kill site near thick cover or a known coyote travel corridor also points toward coyote involvement.