ATTACK! It was only a matter of time.

[JedJackson]

It was very apparent these neighbors are responsible pet owners. Her animals were exceptional, following instinctive behavior . Mistakes and accidents occur no matter how careful you are. This is why I prepared and protected my birds expecting the worst possible situation, long before they arrived.

Her response to her injured animal was simply an attempt to deter fault. I chose not to engage, same as I would an immature child or drunk. She was emotional and not in a reasonable state of mind. Having had children and an ex-wife, I learned long ago to choose carefully my battles.

You acted wisely.

 

[Birdinhand]

best attack story ever! well built coops make for safe birds and short attack storries!

 

[Hokum Coco]

She was emotional and not in a reasonable state of mind.

Well played on your part. I am glad to hear cooler heads prevailed.
You definitely built the coop with overkill in mind.
Most chicken dogs stories on this site do not have a happy ending. I think things will work out fine for all concerned. Hopefully they are not strict vegans and eat farm fresh eggs.

 

[aart]

Most chicken dogs stories on this site do not have a happy ending.

Many 'happy stories' are not posted here

 

[Stayc]

Wow! Well said.

 

[Mr Pink]

My hats off to you RonP ...being the ignorant redneck cowboy hat wearing jerk I am ( exact words that have been used to describe me ) I probably would have let my big mouth blow the whole situation into a lifelong feud or worst !

If you don't mind I'd like to see coop and run construction that will hold off three 100 lb dogs .

 

[RonP]

Coop is an old shed from the 70’s. Built from cedar, structure walls were physically sound, roof was rotted.

I replaced the roof with modern materials, reinforced the entire shed with secondhand pressure treated 2x6s from a neighbors deconstructed storm damaged deck, and hundreds of screws.

The run was constructed with assorted 1 and 2 x 6s and fencing posts. The ground was pitched, so the run has a minimum of 4 feet height, maximum 5, it is a large deep litter composting machine that the girls manage for me. The run was encapsulated in 2x3 inch fencing, all sides, roof and 2 foot skirt. The sides have a maximum height spacing of 15” before being reinforced with wood, it was then also covered with ½-inch hardware cloth. The fencing and hardware cloth were secured with assorted screws, poultry staples, nails, and hundreds (actually thousands) of zip ties… I get bored easily and leave everything close by.

Every inch is tight.

Ralfie, my best friend and 60-pound English Springer Spaniel, has tested every square foot in an attempt to steal chicken treats.

 

[aart]

it is a large deep litter composting machine that the girls manage for me.

It's amazing!
Wonders can you get in there if a bird collapses or someother dire issue?

 

[RonP]

I have not entered the run since hurricane Sandy dropped a tree that bounced off the coop and fell into the run. This forced me to reinforce the entire structure in 2012.

The dropped tree did not breach the run… just splintered the wood supports.

There is a 2 foot x 3 foot “gate” in the roof, back corner, that I open to dump composting material and chicken treats. I could enter the run if need be, but have not had to since it was constructed.

 

[lcwmt]

It was very apparent these neighbors are responsible pet owners. Her animals were exceptional, following instinctive behavior . Mistakes and accidents occur no matter how careful you are. This is why I prepared and protected my birds expecting the worst possible situation, long before they arrived.

Her response to her injured animal was simply an attempt to deter fault. I chose not to engage, same as I would an immature child or drunk. She was emotional and not in a reasonable state of mind. Having had children and an ex-wife, I learned long ago to choose carefully my battles.

...and perhaps she was a little embarrassed too. Gates do get left open - by kids, visitors, delivery people, distracted owners. All is well. You have a good coop and one half of that responsible pair of neighbors is calm.