Dead. Lost. Devastated. *** FOUND RAVEN!!! Everyones home and.....!!!!

[Goat_Walker]

Thansk Iamacuriouscat!

Actually, it was the neighbors dogs. My dog is FAR from kill worthy. She mother my ducks and everyother animal she can find.

We are planning on extending the are, and I have four giant kiddie pools since digging a pond is out of the question right now.

I want ot be able to buy/build a shed that is off the ground that they can be in and be safe. Since everything else that ive been able to "build" ( using mitch-matched wood pieces and tarp) have failed. Im planning on doing your third option, its just that money is a little tight right now. In reality , once we get te other enclosure built all I really ned to do is buy/build a shelter big enough to house all of them and something that will stay dry and warm.

Monty is about 11 years old. He is my old geezer and he and Lil mama are my favorite birds. Both rescues.

 

[FenDruadin]

Well, another option then would be to try and add a perimeter fence--one around your entire property to keep the dogs out, in addition to the pen where the ducks stay at night. I know that's kind of expensive, so it may not actually be an option, but on the other hand you might be able to find some cheap 4' chain link panels on craigslist that would do the trick. The perimeter fence doesn't have to be fully predator proof--it just acts as a deterrent to prevent predators (like neighbor dogs) from wandering into your yard by accident and discovering that there is something worth breaking in for. So it doesn't have to be heavy-duty and fully enclosed like the duck pen.

Do your neighbors know about this problem? Forgive me if this is covered in another thread. I'm just thinking of all the various measures that can be taken with the neighbors, none of which are easy or quick, but which may be an essential part of a long-term strategy. Also make sure they compensate you: funds for your new security measures would be good, and/or for a dozen new babies from Holderread in the spring.

Kiddie pools are great. My ducks always spend holidays locked in their pen while I'm out of town (a neighbor takes care of them, but I don't want the ducksitters to have to deal with the hassle of getting them in their pen at night), sometimes for two weeks at a time, and all they have in there is a kiddie pool. It's quite sufficient, and easy to clean. They are always pretty indignant about it, but they get used to it and they're quite fine.

Good luck with whatever options you choose. I hope you find your remaining lost duckies soon.

 

[DuckLady]

I am so sorry!

So many of us understand and sympathize!

 

[Goat_Walker]

Ive talked about it with my parents and I dont know how to argue. I mean their is maybe 200 ft between outr houses and I cant prove that some of the ducks didnt wander over to their yard. I can prove that something dragged my mama off her nest and even took an egg but I cant prove it was their dogs. I over heard my dad on the phone talking to the neighbors and his saying was "its life"

Ok , I understand the fact that its a labrador retrievers instinct to go after ducks but their dogs SHOULD NOT have been in MY duck pen. Considering the body of my brave mama duck was in their driveway id say its pretty safe to say that THEIR dogs were in my pen.


I need o have a sit down with my mom and talk about this because if I talk about it with my dad he will bring up the fact that we dont have proof it was THEIR dogs in my pen.

Oh Im just so confused! I mean I guess I could ask for money to replace the birds but then again , please note that I am a Minor and things that come out of my mouth no matter how true are not taken the same as they would be if I were older.

 

[FenDruadin]

I really feel for you, Goat. I am constantly aware of how little respect we show young people. I remember being thoroughly frustrated by it as a teenager and I still notice and regret it. It's true that teenagers can be SOOO annoying (come on, admit it, you probably think so too, even though you are one! LOL), but it's just wrong to expect them to behave like adults but not give them any of the privileges or respect we show adults. (And just so you know I'm not prejudiced, I think 36-year-olds can be thoroughly annoying too. And 80-year-olds. And 25-year-olds. Annoyingness doesn't discriminate based on age...)

ANYWAY... given that I can't change the laws or the way people around you treat you, all I can do is offer sympathy and a few thoughts on things you might do to help the situation. First of all, it seems clear to me that the evidence points to the neighbor's dogs in a way that is pretty much beyond reasonable doubt (physical evidence of violence in the nest, physical evidence that the culprit was canine, and then the circumstantial evidence of the body found in the suspect's driveway--it's not rock solid, but in a human murder case I suspect it would be enough to press charges & start a forensics investigation). I guess that if you had witnesses & photos of the aftermath, a reasonable jury in a court of law would convict your neighbor's dogs.

But that is really a moot point right now, because without the photos and the support of your parents, there is not much you can do about it. And anyway, it may be that "proving" and "pressing charges" may not be the best approach for accomplishing what you want.

I've been taking some conflict resolution training, and here is an approach you could try that would work despite your age and will probably lead to better relationships for everyone involved. Start by thinking about your neighbors, and specifically trying to understand how they must feel right now. Here is my guess: They probably feel pretty bad about what their dogs did, even if they aren't ready to admit it. People are funny sometimes--when they feel worst and guiltiest about things is often when they are least ready and able to say "sorry" or admit the guilt. They are probably feeling defensive and on their guard, because they know you're pretty mad. When people feel defensive, they try to find ways to blame someone else: "The ducks were in our yard, what do they expect?" "Who keeps ducks as pets anyway? They're just prey animals asking for trouble!" "Why do they have to be so emotional about it? Life happens!"

But behind those defensive statements/feelings, are people like you and me who just want to feel right with the world, and who really would prefer to have a good relationship and to feel right again, if they only knew how to get there without making themselves vulnerable.

Once you understand that, you can talk to your mom and then go to the neighbors with a formula that is designed to take people off their guard and promote better relationships and happier outcomes to conflict:
The formula goes like this: Observation, feelings, needs, requests. Here's how it works:

Observation, which in this case should include an effort to take them off their defense by acknowledging how they probably feel about the whole thing, and giving them credit for the good things they do for/with their dogs: "I think you must feel pretty bad about what happened to my ducks. We all know the dogs were just doing what is in their nature to do, and I'm sure you do your best to keep the dogs contained."
Next, talk about your feelings (without placing blame): "But I admit I'm pretty torn up about it. I really love my ducks and am so sad about what happened."
And then your needs: "I need to feel like my ducks will be safe from now on."
Finally, make your request: "Can we talk about what you think we can do to prevent the dogs from hurting the ducks again?"

You can use the same formula to ask for compensation, if you and your mom decide that's best. Here's what it would look like:
Observation: "I lost 5 ducks today."
Feelings: "I'm sad and frustrated because I can't afford to replace them right now, especially when I also have to spend money to increase their protection."
Needs: "I would really like to add some new fencing and probably order some new ducklings for the Spring."
Request: "Would you be willing to help me pay for some of this?"

If you get a positive response from that, be ready with some reasonable numbers to discuss. Don't be set on a specific total, though--leave some room for them to make suggestions and to offer some generosity, so they feel like they are a part of the process, and not just the recipients of your penalty.

The compensation discussion may come naturally out of the first part--while discussing how to prevent the dogs from hurting the ducks, it may come up that you are going to some expense, and you can take the formula I just described (observation, feelings, needs, requests) to start the compensation discussion.

By the way, you can use the same formula to talk to your dad about how you feel about his attitude toward the event: "Dad, I noticed you telling the neighbors that this is "just life" (observation). I felt sort of sad and like you weren't really sticking up for me (feelings). I want to know that you stand behind me when things like this happen (needs). Next time, could you talk to me first so we can decide what we want to say to the neighbors together (request)?" In fact, you can use it any time you talk to anyone when there is some sort of conflict present or expected.

I have found it to be a really powerful way to interact with people. It takes time and practice, and I am far from perfect in my use of it. I stumble and sometimes forget to use it at all. But I'm hopeful that as I practice it more and more, I'll get more and more benefit from it.

Whatever happens, I hope you find a resolution that feels right to you.

Edited to add: You probably already realize this, but just in case, I wanted to clarify that the sample dialogs I wrote are just samples. You'll fill in your own observations, feelings, needs, and requests, according to what's in your own heart.

 

[nettie]

Oh Kate! I am soooo sorry to read this... Those poor babies! I'm over here crying feeling so sad for your ducks... Spotacus was one of my favorites since he looks so much like my victor. I am so sorry you had to find them, and then you had to be more stressed to rescue your others. I'm glad the baby scovies are okay. Please let us know if the others find their way home. I'll be praying for them!

I hope this doesn't make you sad, but which ducks are which? I couldn't remember what you named the ones we got from ideal last january...

 

[Goat_Walker]

Nettie - The two I got from you last january are two of the ones missing. Also missing are my very first rescues.

The dogs killed the drake born from the magpie and two of the buff crosses.

The Cayuga, Magpie, Buff, and domestic bibbed mallard are missing.


I looked up and down the road today and I havent seen anyone

Im hoping they come home by next week.

Im going to post signs on the stop signs at each end of our street.

 

[Emzyyy]

I had one duck for 9 years and 2 years ago the neighbor's dog got him. I was mad and left him a nasty note telling him to keep his dogs up. Sorry for your losses.

 

[nettie]

looking for them and posting signs is a good idea. Maybe looking on yours and your neighbor's property might help too, they could be hiding. I'd also check in with the animal shelters incase someone brings them in. Maybe you can call some in the area and let them know you have missing ducks... that way if they get a duck in or if someone calls in reporting a duck, maybe they could let you know.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Thanks nettie

Im just hopping no one shoots them or anyone elses dogs get a hold of them. Ive checked people's yards and even the cow pasture. Ill look again tommorrow.