2 more dead babies😭😭

[Mimi Chickaduck]

Had to chase the neighbor's pitbull & Siberian Husky outta my yard today. They killed my duck, Harriet & one of my white Leghorns we got only 3 days ago!! My heart is breaking!! I'm at a loss for what I should do. I want my flock to free range, but as long as the neighbor keeps letting their dogs have run of the neighborhood, they don't have a chance. I guess moving to the country didn't necessarily mean that we wouldn't still have to deal with neighbors.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

I'd be letting law enforcement and animal services that there's dogs in your yard that DON'T belong to you and they're doing DAMAGE to YOUR PROPERTY. I believe in some places dogs doing that can be shot, so maybe make the owner aware that while you're the one losing livestock (which she is liable to pay to replace) it's HER dogs that are in danger. I'd never shoot a dog but I would let this slide either. These are your pets, those are hers, they don't have to mingle and she's doing something illegal.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Had to chase the neighbor's pitbull & Siberian Husky outta my yard today. They killed my duck, Harriet & one of my white Leghorns we got only 3 days ago!! My heart is breaking!! I'm at a loss for what I should do. I want my flock to free range, but as long as the neighbor keeps letting their dogs have run of the neighborhood, they don't have a chance. I guess moving to the country didn't necessarily mean that we wouldn't still have to deal with neighbors.

I'm so sorry. Have you talked to them about it? I would ask them to pay for the damages their dogs have caused. I probably wouldn't threaten to shoot their dogs as that can ruin relationships with them. I would also talk to them about keeping their dogs OFF your property before calling anyone. If you haven't talked to them they might not know the trouble their dogs are causing. If you talk to them and they REFUSE to keep their animals contained then you could resort to law enforcement.

 

[Painted Calls]

Law enforcement here tells us to just shoot them.

I would try talking to your neighbors first. Try settling the easy way. If that doesn't work, do what you need to in order to protect your property and your livestock.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

I am sorry for your loss. Your neighbors are responsible for the actions of their dogs and I hope you talk to them, and get some type of compensation.
I love the idea of free ranging hens. It all seems (and is) so natural and healthy. But nature is also unforgiving, free ranging will eventually lead to losses. Some people can accept that, while others can’t.
We have no control over what others do, we can only try our best to secure our own property. Even if the neighbors say they’ll keep their dogs away, you can’t count on that. Even if, worse case scenario, you shoot the dogs, there will always be the threat of stray dogs and other predators.
Im sorry again, and hope you find some type of resolution.

 

[docteurshepherd]

What @Overo Mare and @EmmaRainboe said. I'm very sorry for your loss. I would like to add something though, when we moved in years ago, our neighbors dogs came and wanted to kill our chickens. They didn't luckily but was a close call. My dad went out with his shotgun and shot near, but purposely not at the dogs. We never had any issues since then, (except with a completely different dog snooping, but it also stopped after being chased off), and the dogs and neighbor lived there for bout maybe 8 years after.

Basically my point is, you could try a very serious scare first before having to resort to taking a dog's life, because nobody wants to do that. If you have to though, you have to and I am not judging, I would/will do the same if it comes to it. It's just good to try other options of course. Best of luck.

 

[Howard E]

Yours is an old problem with a known solution....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

 

[Smileybans]

This might not help but my perspective. So my sister was the person with the dogs. She had three Siberian huskeys that kept getting loose in town. They’re pack animals and would go on killing rampages. They killed chickens and cats. After the sheep though animal control stepped in and told her to move or the dogs would be put down. She moved out of the county.
Don’t let this slide. If your neighbor is intentionally letting the dogs run around it’s their fault. Huskeys have a huge prey drive. Especially when they’re with other dogs. Call animal control, call the neighbor, or electrify your property. Heck do all three. But they won’t stop. My sisters dogs didn’t until she moved out of town and they just died. Even when she moved out of town they kept killing. She couldn’t let them out of the house at the same time.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

What @Overo Mare and @EmmaRainboe said. I'm very sorry for your loss. I would like to add something though, when we moved in years ago, our neighbors dogs came and wanted to kill our chickens. They didn't luckily but was a close call. My dad went out with his shotgun and shot near, but purposely not at the dogs. We never had any issues since then, (except with a completely different dog snooping, but it also stopped after being chased off), and the dogs and neighbor lived there for bout maybe 8 years after.

Basically my point is, you could try a very serious scare first before having to resort to taking a dog's life, because nobody wants to do that. If you have to though, you have to and I am not judging, I would/will do the same if it comes to it. It's just good to try other options of course. Best of luck.

IMHO The above post is your answer. Thank you @docteurmccoy

 

[Painted Calls]

I can tell you from experience, that an electric fence isn't going to stop a determined husky or pit bull. Maybe other breeds, but not those two.