Beagles after the chickens!

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

My BF was in the house canning beans yesterday. He has 3 hens that he always lets free range. Usually his Shepherd is loose but he tied her up while he was inside. Suddenly he heard a horrible commotion - chickens squawking, dog going nuts. He ran out to see what was going on and saw two hens come running back into the garage. He let Annie loose and she took off after 2 stray beagles. He searched everywhere for the third hen and couldn't find her anywhere - nothing but feathers. He jumped in the truck in search of his dog, found her and brought her home. He was trying to get everyone calmed down when all of a sudden the third hen came back! RELIEF!!!! He thinks she must have flown up into a tree to escape from the dogs, which is why he couldn't find her. She's a RIR so he never thought to look UP! Now we're worried the beagles will come back but this time Annie will be ready for them! She stuck very close to those hens the rest of the day, always watching. We are lucky to have her.

 

[ams3651]

Beagles are all business and nose. They will be back. I would never let my beagle run free, they just take off with their nose. But mine has been around the chicks since they came home and she thinks they are her babies. Its great to have a dog to protect them. If they come back do you have a dog catcher you could notify?

 

[coffeelady3]

Good thing you had your German shepherd standing guard!

My beagle is 'special' (selective breeding gone horribly wrong!)....not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He likes to watch the birds, but stays pretty far away from them.

 

[klf73]

Ugh, beagles and chickens. Never did I know my own dogs would be the most difficult around my chickens. I had my 6 week old chickens outside, but at night they were still in their brooder (old whelping pen) My beagle realized the door on front was open and charged in, luckily for me no chickens. She tries her darndest to get them, always. I hatched them so she has seen them since they were little, her prey drive is just way too high. When they are outside free ranging, the beagles go crazy cuz they are in a huge dog kennel contained and WANT those chickens. They are slowly getting better

. The beagles will be back, I have no doubt. Lucky you have that shepherd

I would call animal control

Krista

edited for spelling

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Yeah, I have no doubt they'll be back too. He lives right by the river and the entrance to a park system and people are always dumping off their animals. That's how he got his dog in the first place, plus all his outdoor cats. He can't turn any animal away EXCEPT for these beagles. Annie got hit by a car last fall when she took off after a deer. Fortunately she wasn't hurt very badly but since then, he tries to keep her tied up when he can't be outside with her just in case. But if they come back, he'll definitely call animal control but they'll probably never find them. Too many woods where they can hide.

 

[MagsC]

When I was growing up our neighbors had beagles that were always after our poultry...very persistent!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I've always had the most trouble with my own beagles and min pin. They wont give up.

 

[jennadamson29]

one of my beagles got loose twice this year lost several chickens each time. Since last time maggie's chain has had some major work don't look for it to happen again. Just in case i built a 20ft x 16ft chicken run that is 6 1/2 ft tall that is covered got to protect my chickens however i do love my dogs i have 4 beagles and maggie just had 6 puppies thought she might have chicks instead after how many she ate

 

[deb1]

I have a beagle too but luckily he never wanted to chase our chickens. But he is an unusual from what I have read for his breed.

Beagle wonderful dogs and make both great pets and good hunting companions. But they are breed to find prey.

Maybe you could put a electric fence around just the area where your chickens are kept? A good shock would deter any dog.

If you see them again, and you probably will, try to remain calm and call them over to you. If they have a tag then return them to the owner but with an explanation of their behavior. If they don't have a tag turn them over to the pound.

Lots of people like beagles and they will probably get adopted quick.

 

[newchickenfamily]

Yep, we have a beagle too! Sweet as can be, but her nose is all about the chickens. Mostly the table scraps that the chickens are getting though! She's never tried to harm our birds up to this point, but I'd NEVER trust her alone with them!

Those stray beagles noses will probably bring them back to your yard again...