A dog killed my chickens

[druss1]

Yesterday a big dog killed 6 of my 10 chickens. Five of them were laying all over the yard ( I have yet to account for the 6th one, but it might have been totally consumed). Three of the dead ones looked totally unharmed. I'm wondering if they died from a heart attack, and why does a dog just kill chickens if they aren't hungry? Are they just mean?

 

[azygous]

First of all, in many states you are entitled to shoot the dog and/or obtain monetary compensation from the dog owner.

Second, it's instinct in most dogs to want to chase and kill chickens. Dogs are predators and chickens are prey. Dogs have been domesticated over thousands of years, but almost all of them retain the instinct to kill prey such as rabbits, squirrels and birds even though they aren't hungry.

I've had dogs kill one of my chickens, and I understand the emotions you are feeling. It really sucks. I'm so sorry this happened.

 

[lazy gardener]

In order to get compensation, you need proof of which dog did it. Take detailed photos. And create a paper trail. Call ACO and file a police report.

 

[Howard E]

Here we go again.

As per BYC's worst predator survey, dogs and coons account for nearly 50% of all predator losses.

Too late to save this bunch, but here is your solution for the next flock:

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

PS: Sorry to hear of your loss. Don't beat yourself up over this. You don't know what you don't know......which is why a lot of us experience these losses. It is what you do going forward that matters.

 

[PirateGirl]

Dogs have a way of giving prey a quick shake to snap the neck. I speculate this may be what happened to your birds. Once the bird is not moving, the chase is off, the dog may leave it, so there may not be visible signs of trauma to the deceased birds. I am sorry you have experienced this. Every chicken keeper fears the day that a predator finds a way to get to their flock. Hopefully you can take measures to better protect against a next time.

 

[druss1]

Thank you all for your input. I will definitely be more protective going forward. I was way overprotective in the beginning, but once I saw how much they loved free ranging, I got slack. I would try to be outside with them as much as possible, but this time, we were inside when the attack happened.

 

[druss1]

In order to get compensation, you need proof of which dog did it. Take detailed photos. And create a paper trail. Call ACO and file a police report.

My husband ran the dog off and didn't think to get pictures. He caught it in the very act, but his instinct was to get rid of the dog. I don't know who the dog belongs to...he just roams around the community. We live in the country where that's common. He had better not come back around while I'm there...

 

[Foxslayer16]

Sorry to hear. dogs are the worst

 

[RWise]

I agree, dogs account for at least 90% of my losses.