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For 7 years that I've had chickens, I've let them out of their yard in the mornings to graze on the grass outside & run around while I finish filling feeders and cleaning up. I've learned not to let them go out of sight and to keep an eye out and to take a dog down with me. The other morning, about 8:30 am, I'd just let them out and they were no more than 10 feet from the yard when the rooster started shrieking with several chickens screeching. I figured "dog" as I have neighbors whose dogs run loose. Came out of the yard and saw a small dog running among the chickens. It was like a feeding frenzy with all chickens shrieking bloody murder and running every which way. Suddenly realized "dog" was a small coyote, very thin, very wet and wiry looking. It had one of my hens by the rear end and was heading out when the hen got away. It turned to come back after her at which point I yelled and ran at it with my shovel in hand. Coyote took one look at this crazy woman and headed for the woods. The other hens had scattered and I had a hard time getting them to go back. The rooster was already back in the run. Watch dog looked at me and said "What did you expect me to do?" Thing is, I always carry a pistol with me but this all happened SO quickly, I didn't have time to think about shooting at the coyote. I did let off a round after it left for good measure so it would keep going in the direction that it was going. But man what a shock! I checked the chicken out and most of her tail is gone along with a lot of feathers but I didn't see any wounds & she appears fine is talking & eating and moving around normally. Now I'm afraid to let the chickens out at all and they are not happy about that. I'm also taking my second dog down with me and he at least whines and growls if something (human, wild creature or car) is about. So be warned. It's Spring and everything is having babies and looking for food.