Chicken protectors

[CTChickenMom]

By causing waves I create a situation where it would be necessary for my husband to take my side (regardless of right or wrong). It puts him in an awkward spot that could be avoided if I let him handle things. It would not only effect the relationship with his uncle but you know that ripples only get bigger after the drop of water in the pond. We'd have his grandmother, mother and likely have opinions from the rest of the family as well. Yes this dog is a problem and no, I don't want her in my yard but Uncle created this situation and I have to give him the opportunity to rectify it. If he chooses not to take responsibility for her behavior, I will call the warden and have her picked up the minute she sets one paw on this side of the fence. She is a danger to us and our animals and he may not be aware of that. I want nothing more than to keep this mangy dog out but I can't be hasty, I need to give Uncle the opportunity to make right and if he doesn't, his dog gets collected and he'll have fines to pay. He would likely abandon her and get another dog and then she would likely pay with her life.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The only solution would be fence the dog out, since your neighbor wont fence it in.
Adding one more dog to the mix wont solve anything, and will likely create more problems

 

[sandypaws]

and/or build a secure coop w/run... and do not let chickens roam unless you are watching them...

 

[horsejody]

Just remember that if you get a livestock guardian dog, it may kill the other dog. That might make waves too. I would just catch the uncle's dog and take it to a pound without telling anybody (not even DH). If he gets another dog, repeat if necessary.

 

[PortageGirl]

Well, I understand about family situations.. it can get crazy. On one hand, I like the trap idea, trap the dog and call the dog warden to come get it etc.

I agree with some of what has been said about another dog, it can just add to the problem... BUT, IF (and that can be a very BIG if) you get the right dog, it CAN work.

I had an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix that was perfect as far as he only herded the hens off of the edge of the road which he (rightfully) considered unsafe for them, and also, would tolerate NO OTHER DOG AT ALL on our property!! No dogs, no coyotes, raccoons were unheard of, and possums were rare and usually treed! (though that isn't in an Aussie/BC's resume normally) Trips to the vet were a fact of life with him, shots were a MUST!!!! 'cause raccoons can be VERY dangerous if big enough, other dogs, including a marauding pit bull was chased off with its tail between its legs, yipping in pain, but I had to pay the vet for the stitches for my boyo that day. I questioned if it was fair to my lad who would have given his life that day protecting his charges... well, it was his job and he was PROUD of what he did!!!

He would only very gently press the goats towards the barn, he seemed to know that they needed very little control where they were, and when I took him to work cows at a larger farm, he could go out and bring the cows in all by himself because he was so mellow. Milk cows need little actual herding after all, just a little 'notice' and gentle nudging that it's time to come in.

I really don't know how he would have handled a challenging herd of sheep that would have pushed him and his mellow ways, maybe not too well. He was taught with his mom on some pretty tough cows... but, pushing sheep where they don't want to go might have been too much for him. I want to say he would have risen to the challenge, and he could flank with another dog very well, but... I'll never know cause he's long dead now. What a good dog he was though.

I digress though, getting a dog already trained would be expensive and getting a puppy would take a long time, so, I think a trap and a phone call to the dog warden sounds smartest for now.

Not all land is conducive to fencing, (very hilly and wooded here) not secure enough to keep dogs out anyway, I couldn't watch my chickens when I let them out either, and not all dogs should be expected to be trustworthy or trainable enough to work out as guards for your livestock.

A combination of solutions, and some long term plans seem to be in order. A secure run for your hens for now, a carefully selected dog of your own, trained as a herding dog or as a livestock guard dog, (neither of which is simple OR cheap), SOME fencing to at least deliniate your property,,, that dog might actually respect a boxwire border-line, I've seen stranger things (but wouldn't count on it)... and immediate control for the current problem with traps or a shotgun loaded with rocksalt or non-lethal shot if you wish, or actually sss'ing that dog, but, not sure I recomend it myself, though it is an option.

 

[CTChickenMom]

Thank you PortageGirl, you are right. I've dreaded asking DH to speak with his uncle. We need to get the ball rolling though. I'd like him to be prepared too. He is going in for surgery soon and will be out of work for a while. I don't anticipate much happening.

 

[nzpouter]

surgery??.. then it's the best time to talk to his uncle...

something went wrong... blame it on the painkillers.

 

[PortageGirl]

You know, I was thinking about this while I cleaned the kitchen. If the family all grew up on a farm, maybe they'd understand that having the dog harass the chickens (and/or kill them), perhaps they'd understand it if you present it right... do you share/offer them eggs?

Maybe a week or two of, "I would have brought you over a dozen eggs, but Uncle Joe's dog was over chasing them again and I've barely gotten 2 eggs all week." or "Sorry I don't have any eggs for you, I haven't even had any for DH's breakfast since the dog has been over."

I know such folks may not understand the 'pet' aspect of chickens, I had an aunt who acted all gruff and 'businesslike' about all animals, (they raised beefies) but even she had a soft spot for her ducks and chickens, you had to sneak up to hear her talking nice to them though. She acted like I was silly because my hens were more like pets than 'livestock' but when I caught her having a conversation with her 'girls' she was so busted!

Still, some farmer types may not understand your hens being pets, but they -should- understand food not being supplied for the table.
... just a thought.

 

[Squeaky]

Quote:
If your in-laws really did grow up on farms and have a "very practical viewpoint" when it comes to farm animals, they'll understand that once a dog starts killing chickens it will never stop, so they'll shoot the chicken-killing dog for you and offer to make good for the lost livestock. Also they'll be familiar with what happens when unspayed female dogs run loose. So if their attitude really were "practical" they'd have taken some steps to control and care for the animals they've got. It doesn't sound like they've done that. Instead, they're using social pressure to continue avoiding responsibility.

It seems to me they've got one heck of a double standard, and that their "practical" viewpoint is that other people's animals don't matter, and that where their own animals are concerned, anything goes.

My guess is that they're using their "farm" background as a way to show how much more knowledgeable and sophisticated they are, and as a way to keep an in-law (you) in her place. As long as they can dismiss you as someone whose needs and rights don't matter, they can continue to treat you however they like, and that includes allowing their animals to kill your animals, on your property, with impunity.

 

[CATRAY44]

How about a Great Pyrenees pup?