Anyone know anything about cyottes?

You are right, the coyotes are coming closer b/c of the birds.  It has been my experience that coyotes are usually afraid of humans and will run away (or at least far enough for them to watch but not get hurt).  The only other instance is if they are rabid.  When we lived out in the country we had a GSD who lived outside. We never seemed to have any problem with coyotes (but we didn't have any livestock birds either).  If your dogs are on a leash I wouldn't worry too much about them.  I would worry more about the coyotes getting to the ducks.

I have called and shot MANY coyotes in my day.  I don't think you have anything to worry about as far as your personal safety is concerned.  Coyotes will pretty much do what they have to do to avoid up close and personal contact with a human.  That is how they manage to live in close proximity to us.  Coyotes are very smart.  I do not think a coyote would attack your dog if the coyote was aware that you were around.  Not a healthy coyote anyway.
 
To me, your biggest concern, based on what you have described, should be the ducks in the barn.  Get a mule.  A mule will keep coyotes away.

Do you mean Coyotes? They can be troublesome - especially for smaller dogs & cats. Plus they can carry rabies and other canine diseases. I'm not sure if there is a way to drive them off. I know many people who put radios tuned to talk stations in their chicken barns hoping that the sounds of voices will keep them away. Around here, they shoot them if they are causing problems. I don't know if you have that option where you live.

Having the yard light helps, but sometimes they will get brave enough to venture into lighted areas. I don't think there will be a problem with them attacking you. Most coyotes are very shy and human atacks are extremely rare and usually only occur in urban areas where coyotes have become used to humans. They have probably been around all along, but you are hearing them now because it is getting to be mating season. I would definitely keep your dogs leashed so they don't go into the bush and fight with them.

Coyotes?

 
[linkhttp://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_3coyotedec27,0,6004054.story]http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_3coyotedec27,0,6004054.story[/link]

If there are multiple coyotes, and it's a hard winter, they will become very brave.  They are masters of deception, and can use very creative teamwork to "lure" a victim into a bad situation.  They will usually venture away from humans, however hunger will drive animals into desperate situations.  If there are chickens nearby, then the coyotes will come much closer and they will "probe" the defenses (fences, gates, walls) for any sort of weakness which they will then exploit to get to their prey.
 
Please continue to keep your pupper on a leash at night but also in the early morning hours, and late evening.  Most prey animals are active at dusk and twilight-so that's when most predators are the most active as well.  If there are loose cats, dogs, or other animals in your area, they are prime prey items. 
 
Carry a stick, or a portable airhorn with you if you are taking the dog out to potty during these times.  Anything that would startle the coyotes and make them freeze for a second or two.

When I was out with Shippo the other day at a park we had just discovered, we went off the trail and nearly tripped over a coyote. He leaped out of the bushes and stood there right in front of us, startled, but curious lol...

Yeah my spelling was wrong. Everyone says it like Kie oates, so thats where the spelling came in.
 
Great advice and info from everyone. thank you.  I'm not worried about the ducks, because the barn is very secure and it has an alarm around it and  a light post. The ducks are on the second level, so I don't believe they are in harm.
 
The horn is a great idea, and I will borrow one from the shop here. I'm terrified in the dark, and the house is sound proof, so a horn will make me feel better.
 
DH wants to set up bait and sit in the top of the barn and shoot from out the window. I totally am against it, but there are too many men around here, so I believe I will be out voted.[:@]
 
I'm sure they get plenty of food from the chicken farm. They throw out the chicken pieces in a field and thats what they feed off of.  I was just very surprised to hear them so close to the house, I'm sure they were trying to get into the barn. But I'm very confident they can't.
 
Thanks again, I feel much better, but will still be taking a stick and a horn out with me.[]

As long as your dog is on a leash you'll be fine. The chicken farm people are feeding them, that's kind of an odd deal. Keeps them close, but possibly keeps them happy enough not to raid the chicken farm. At least I bet that's what the farmer is hoping. The enemy you know....

They are amazingly smart and curious, for sure. They will eat any loose pets, and they will for sure go after your ducks. Batten down the hatches and do what needs to be done to protect your animals!

If you jump around, yell and wave your arms they will probably run away if you encounter one while on a walk. You know, Direct Stop might work great, too.

I miss them. I used to hear them all the time in New Mexico. We have them in Alaska but I don't get to hear them singing every night. Instead, I hear dog teams yodeling every night and day, LOL!

After the shock, it was pretty amazing the way they all carried on. I've heard them very faintly in the distance before, but this was close and loud.
 
I went out to the barn a while ago and checked around the building, it's impossible for them to get in. At least thats what I think. 
 
I would think that that is exactly what the farmer has in mind. But I know it's a big pain for my mother because in the summer there are hundreds of vultures in the trees and they drop chicken feet all over the yard.[:'(]
 
There are no racoons or other rodents besides a few squirles around, so I'm sure the coyotes are the reason. There is farm, land all around us and bush, so you would think you would have some thing living in the bush.

We see coyotes all the time.  I walk Sam in a wooded park on dirt trails so we have come across one on several occasions.  Once they see us they go the other direction.  We have gotten fairly close when one was standing around a corner and caught us by surprise.  He was probably only 25ft away when we saw him.  We were on the trail and he just trotted into the trees.  I used to be afraid  of them when i firt encountered one on our walks but now its so frequent, it doesnt bother me as they never seem to even consider coming our direction.
Now, i've never seen them in a pack and if i did, i would be scared.

I would at all costs be extremely careful. Two years ago, where I was working a private duty job, two people, very tall man and his wife were walking their rat terrier. Five coyotes surrounded them trying to get at their dog, the man swept up the little dog and I was yelling for them to come into the house, the woman and the dog came into the house the man was the last one in. We called animal control, they said the coyotes are hungry enough they don't care if there's people there or not, they wanted the dog. They also said, even if the dog had been bigger, they most likely would have gone after it, they just get that hungry. It's sad really, wev'e pushed them out of there homes and they have limited places to live and get food, I certainly don't want anyone getting hurt, but, I do feel bad for them also.

It sounds like the coyotes are getting plenty of food from the chicken farm. As long as you are in the yard with your dogs, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Coyotes yipping and and back and forth to each other can sound a little scary, but they do not normally bother humans.