Dealing with grief and massive loss.

[mayoman]

It makes me sad to hear these stories. We have lost a few fowl (we have over 100) during free-range. But we have NEVER lost one in the coop. We have the wire perimeter as has been mentioned here but in addition, we dug out the floor of the coop. down about a foot and put in hardware cloth also. Attach it to the bottom of your coop and then backfill with the flooring of your choice. We have raised chickens, ducks, guineas, turkeys and now peacocks. Never lost even one. A little bit of work sure stops the agony.

 

[steny03]

I would google the laws. I too live in Nevada and had to deal with a dog going after my chickens. We did the research and found out that we don't have to wait until we lose a chicken, the law is worded so that all the dog had to do is "chase or worry" livestock, and then we can kill it. And the dog owners are guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

[iwiw60]

As most everybody here at BYC knows by now I am an advocate of:

S - S - S
Shoot - Shovel - Shut Up

 

[Mrs. K]

She owes you money. If she does not pay, small claims court.

I do have digging predators (flying, crawling, climbing ones too) and the apron has worked very well for me.

MRs K

 

[lazy gardener]

First, let me state that I am a dog lover. Have always loved sloppy dog kisses. BUT, any dog who comes on my property without invite, (where I free range my poultry) is a predator. If the owner is within sight, I would give them a verbal warning. If no owner present, I would, and have in the past, catch the dog, tie it up, and wait a reasonable time... perhaps an hour or two, then call ACO to pick up the dog. I once had a neighbor's dog enter my run and kill half of my flock. I caught the dog, while it was still covered with blood, tied it up, and called the owner. Her response: "Not my dog. My dog is right here and has been here all morning." So, my next step was to call ACO. But, before I could get back in the house to look up the number, I hear the owner (from 1/4 mile away) calling her dog! Of course her dog did not come home! So, about 15 minutes later she showed up, I made her view the carnage, and told her I expected full restitution before allowing her to take her dog. She did reimburse me for the dead chickens, but no amount of cash can cover the terror to the birds, and the amount of loving time spent raising those birds to POL, or even compensate for the lost production. So, predators, with or without a collar get invited to target practice, hauled away in the paddy wagon, or owner gets one chance to grow up and accept responsibility.

Second, a secure run is excellent insurance: I have electronet run, with coop enclosed in the run. When I build my new coop, I plan to enclose the perimeter with a triple strand of hot wire. But, I still exercise the right to free range my flock on my property.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

First, let me state that I am a dog lover. Have always loved sloppy dog kisses. BUT, any dog who comes on my property without invite, (where I free range my poultry) is a predator. If the owner is within sight, I would give them a verbal warning. If no owner present, I would, and have in the past, catch the dog, tie it up, and wait a reasonable time... perhaps an hour or two, then call ACO to pick up the dog. I once had a neighbor's dog enter my run and kill half of my flock. I caught the dog, while it was still covered with blood, tied it up, and called the owner. Her response: "Not my dog. My dog is right here and has been here all morning." So, my next step was to call ACO. But, before I could get back in the house to look up the number, I hear the owner (from 1/4 mile away) calling her dog! Of course her dog did not come home! So, about 15 minutes later she showed up, I made her view the carnage, and told her I expected full restitution before allowing her to take her dog. She did reimburse me for the dead chickens, but no amount of cash can cover the terror to the birds, and the amount of loving time spent raising those birds to POL, or even compensate for the lost production. So, predators, with or without a collar get invited to target practice, hauled away in the paddy wagon, or owner gets one chance to grow up and accept responsibility.

Second, a secure run is excellent insurance: I have electronet run, with coop enclosed in the run. When I build my new coop, I plan to enclose the perimeter with a triple strand of hot wire. But, I still exercise the right to free range my flock on my property.

So well said!!
A dog on the owner's property is a pet, that same dog on my property is a predator.....both are treated accordingly.

 

[AmericanMom]

We have had issues with our neighbors dogs coming onto our property, they are across the street and 3 times in one day we found them in our backyard.. I finally had enough and informed these folks that I have chickens and Turkeys and if either of their dogs comes back onto my property I will shoot first and ask questions later. I haven't had a problem since.
People seem to think a loose dog is no big deal.

 

[jtn42248]

We have had issues with our neighbors dogs coming onto our property, they are across the street and 3 times in one day we found them in our backyard.. I finally had enough and informed these folks that I have chickens and Turkeys and if either of their dogs comes back onto my property I will shoot first and ask questions later. I haven't had a problem since.
People seem to think a loose dog is no big deal.

When we still lived in town loose dogs were a real problem. The city did little to control them and most people have the attitude that their dog can do no wrong. Guess we are really lucky now that we are out in the country and our nearest neighbor is a little over a mile away.

 

[mayoman]

As most everybody here at BYC knows by now I am an advocate of:

S - S - S
Shoot - Shovel - Shut Up

Please stop. Not even funny when you are trying to interject yourself into serious flock owners and enthusiasts. Go play a hunting video game.

 

[AmericanMom]

Please stop. Not even funny when you are trying to interject yourself into serious flock owners and enthusiasts. Go play a hunting video game.

No, its reality, when dog owners wont keep their animals contained and they cause the damage that has been reported in this thread sometimes the decision must be made to protect our livestock (where I live my flock is considered livestock) all it takes is an animal chasing my flock and I have the right to put it down.