Current predator problem solved. WARNING GRUESOME and sad.

[Gingerlilypad]

Thanks everyone. At least someone seems to care. I have been slowly working on my pen, when the weather is warm enough. I also have picked up an electric fence charger. Maybe something will help. I have 8 free range guineas that refuse to come in at night, and three bantams that think they are guineas. They sleep in the trees. Yes, I know they will eventually get taken by something. I haven't gotten anymore chickens because first it is too cold and second, I want my pen finished first. My wonderful (sic) caring neighbors have gotten two more dogs that they are allowing to run lose. One guess where they keep coming, and chasing my birds. It upset my sister that I shot the other dogs, she told me that I am not allowed to shoot these dogs, even if they get in the pen when it is done. So,why bother getting chickens again. I mean they are just chickens and it is silly to get so upset. I mean dogs are so much more important than a chicken. So these dogs will not be shot. They will be relocated to an animal shelter that is 90 miles away. Maybe if my neighbors dogs keep disappearing they will get the message. I live on 8 acres, so it's not like these neighbors are right next door.

 

[chicksurreal]

Thanks everyone. At least someone seems to care. I have been slowly working on my pen, when the weather is warm enough. I also have picked up an electric fence charger. Maybe something will help. I have 8 free range guineas that refuse to come in at night, and three bantams that think they are guineas. They sleep in the trees. Yes, I know they will eventually get taken by something. I haven't gotten anymore chickens because first it is too cold and second, I want my pen finished first. My wonderful (sic) caring neighbors have gotten two more dogs that they are allowing to run lose. One guess where they keep coming, and chasing my birds. It upset my sister that I shot the other dogs, she told me that I am not allowed to shoot these dogs, even if they get in the pen when it is done. So,why bother getting chickens again. I mean they are just chickens and it is silly to get so upset. I mean dogs are so much more important than a chicken. So these dogs will not be shot. They will be relocated to an animal shelter that is 90 miles away. Maybe if my neighbors dogs keep disappearing they will get the message. I live on 8 acres, so it's not like these neighbors are right next door.

It sounds like you have your hands full. These neighbors of yours sound like real winners (not!).

I'm sorry you have to deal with this and agree 100% with you that getting your pen fixed properly should come before getting more chickens, peace of mind is priceless. I don't even know what to say about your sister.

 

[blucoondawg]

I'd shoot them and not tell the sister

 

[enola]

Ginger, I really feel for you. Sounds like your sister is on the neighbor's side......

 

[rockmissjess]

Over the past 7 months, I have raised 24 guinea keets and 24 Barred Rock chicks. A neighbor refused to keep their dogs from coming to my home (1/2 mile away). These dogs killed 19 of my guineas within a short time from when they were removed from the brooder.
Numerous complaints to the neighbors did no good to restrain their dogs. Although after their killng spree with my guineas, I didn't see the dogs.

I decided to accept it, and got some chicks to brood. While they were in the brooder, I spent a lot of time trying to make my pen predator-proof, in spite of being semi-handicapped. Yesterday I turned my chicks loose out of the brooder (they were 12 weeks old). My chicks seemed happy, running around, scratching.

This morning, I got up, looked out, three dogs inside the pen and all of my chickens are dead. I cannot figure out how the dogs got in, but they could not get out.

My shotgun worked very well this morning. I will be going out in a few minutes to pull the dogs out of the pen to dispose of them and my chickens.

SSS Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up.

I don't know yet if I will try again. This hurts so much.

I WOULD SHOOT THE DOGS TOO! GOOD FOR YOU! im sorry for your loss tho...

 

[Dee Dee 2]

Applause for you rebuilding after such a horrible experience. From here I only see a few options.
1. If possible put an ELECTRIC fence around your property. Not as expensive as you might think. I will be happy to give you $ saving ideas.
2. Take a deep breath, calmly go to your neighbors and tell them if their dog kill even ONE of you chickens you are going to take legal action. Take a witness with you. And DO it !
3 Get a Kangal or Anatolian (sp?) dog. I can help here also.
4. Shot "at" the dogs any time they came on your property. This works pretty well.
5. Last resort ~ Kill the dogs if they are on your property.
It is so sad you have to deal with such irresoponsibel people.

 

[Gingerlilypad]

Thank you Dee Dee. Maybe I should consider the electric fence around the entire property. Maybe it would keep other predators away.
On legal action, I have already threatened them with that. It seems dog owners have more rights than chicken owners around here, unless I am a commercial operation.
As for the type of dogs you mentioned, I have picked up two bulldog/ blue heeler pups that I am training now to be friendly with the birds I have, but are a bit aggressive towards stray dogs. They are now 12 weeks old and I am pleased with their progress in the training.
I will try shooting at the dogs if they show up, maybe it will work.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with bluecoondawg - if it comes down to it, shoot the dogs and don't tell your sister (if she lives with you, this could be difficult - if not, well, that's what the third S is for. Shoot, Shovel, SHUT UP!). Electric fence at different heights will be your best friend. We use it to keep critters out of our garden. We put up 5 strands, starting at 6", and going up about 4'. It deters everything from raccoons to deer. Yes, deer can clear a 4' fence, but when they poke their nose over the fence to see what's there and get zapped, it tends to make them think again.

Shooting AT our last dog would not have helped. He loved to hunt, and when he heard a gunshot, he'd come running to see what he was missing out on.

 

[sunniejo]

Dont give up. You should have drug those dogs carcasses down to the owners and left them in the driveway. I know this feeling of loss to dogs but that love for some new little chicks is easily refreshed. I just got two new cuties to replace the two a dog ate over winter.

 

[patvetzal]

If you want to take them to a pound, take them to the nearest one where they will have to pay to get them back. After this happens a few times they might smarten up. I'd even make sure that they have your neighbours name on their collar when they go to the pound.....