Dealing with grief and massive loss.

[mayoman]

American Mom, you are right. I did not mean to minimize the protecting of our flocks. I just do not believe in killing anything. But I do free range 100+ animals during the day and they migrate to their barns at night. I dealt with coyotes, racoons, skunks and foxes as predators. Did not shoot or bury even one. Instead got two donkeys. Problem solved. Daytime predators (bobcat and one panther) were stopped by putting a radio in the barnyard at loud volume. Fishing line strung between trees will stop aerial predators. And I have three guardian dogs. A mastiff, an australian cattle dog and an Akbash. Secondary to our farm, we are also a certified wildlife habitat. Squirrels, birds, even feral cats, all live here. Nothing dies. And PS....a couple of guineas and peacocks will keep even the most nuisance dog away. Photos to prove it.
(Last week, two baby goats, 24 chickens, 2 turkeys born and seeming to be very happy)

 

[Monguire]

S-S-S is very effective when dealing with neighbors who have no accountability for their dogs. I will give them and the dog the benefit of the doubt once but after that all bets are off. S-S-S quickly solves the problem with minimal heartache to all parties. From my standpoint, the predator is gone. From the neighbor's standpoint their dog simply didn't come home...IF they even notice, they probably chalk it up to he/she is just having a good time somewhere. I'm saved from the cold, hard loss of my pets, they are saved from the cold, hard "loss" of theirs. All without the hard feelings of law enforcement involvement and petty time/paperwork/bullshite bureaucracy of civil action.

I'm a very laid-back and easy-going kinda guy right up until others' rights to be lazy, inconsiderate neighbors/dog owners infringes on my expectation/right to keep a happy/healthy flock secured on my property.

 

[mayoman]

I hear what you are saying but normally this kinda POOR neighbor doesn't stop with just one animal. If they don't care for the animal, they are probably not feeding it either, so the dog only does what it knows to do to eat. How many more are we prepared to kill? I just hate killing a hungry innocent animal.

 

[mayoman]

And put the apron inside and outside the vertical fence. Double protection.

 

[AmericanMom]

American Mom, you are right. I did not mean to minimize the protecting of our flocks. I just do not believe in killing anything. But I do free range 100+ animals during the day and they migrate to their barns at night. I dealt with coyotes, racoons, skunks and foxes as predators. Did not shoot or bury even one. Instead got two donkeys. Problem solved. Daytime predators (bobcat and one panther) were stopped by putting a radio in the barnyard at loud volume. Fishing line strung between trees will stop aerial predators. And I have three guardian dogs. A mastiff, an australian cattle dog and an Akbash. Secondary to our farm, we are also a certified wildlife habitat. Squirrels, birds, even feral cats, all live here. Nothing dies. And PS....a couple of guineas and peacocks will keep even the most nuisance dog away. Photos to prove it.
(Last week, two baby goats, 24 chickens, 2 turkeys born and seeming to be very happy)

I have an acre, I cannot have mules, I don't have dogs as the last two were worse on my flock than the neighbors dog was lol.. I don't want dogs at this point. Our flock is double fenced and the only predators we deal with besides the neighbors dog is hawks and they only go after the chicks (that was an easy problem to solve) We are surrounded on all sides with dog owners and have had not one issue from those dogs except the two times two of our chickens decided to test the grass is greener theory, we lost two hens, our fault. we secured the fence , made it taller and stronger so the flock does not get out. Our property is fenced and then as an added bonus it is cross fenced to contain the flock and keep them out of the back yard. This nutty dog jumped both fences and tried to dig his way into the chick run.
I don't like Peacocks and I raise turkeys and have not heard good reports about mixing the two. (Guinea's)

Problem so far has been solved tho as we spoke to the gentleman across the street, explained the situation and DH told him we wont allow the dog to leave the property alive again if he returns, we noticed later that day they were putting in the shock collar wire and have not seen the dog since.

 

[AmericanMom]

I hear what you are saying but normally this kinda POOR neighbor doesn't stop with just one animal. If they don't care for the animal, they are probably not feeding it either, so the dog only does what it knows to do to eat. How many more are we prepared to kill? I just hate killing a hungry innocent animal.

Not all are hungry, some just like the chase and the kill, some like the chase thinking the chickens are fun chew toys. Whatever the reason how we each deal with the protection of our flock within the law is a personal choice. I just don't like to see people belittled for doing what they are legally allowed to do.

 

[mayoman]

Thank you for clearing up a lot of the issues. I see where I was trying to give suggestions in a scenario where they would not work. Again, I apologize. But FYI, if raised together from chicks, then turkeys peacocks and guineas get along great and love to roost together.

 

[iwiw60]

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

How funny that out of one side of your mouth you rant at me for being an advocate of S-S-S and out the other side you praise my photo album of my coop and run. Hmmmm....

 

[Lavendire]

Not all are hungry, some just like the chase and the kill, some like the chase thinking the chickens are fun chew toys. Whatever the reason how we each deal with the protection of our flock within the law is a personal choice. I just don't like to see people belittled for doing what they are legally allowed to do.

This is exactly what happened to me-- the dogs was NOT hungry at all, it just wanted to kill. It wasn't a poor, hungry animal. It was a bored predator.

Mayoman, for some reason your comments are extremely upsetting to me, especially since I'm still not over this loss. Mules aren't allowed in my neighborhood. Also getting rid of a dog that kills smaller animals out of boredom doesn't just save your flock, but other's pets-- not everyone can just throw a couple of mules into their area and call it a day. It might be immature of me but I just can't stand the idea of anyone defending that awful dog's existence-- and yes, I'm still dealing with the mutt. It constantly barks and tries to break through the fence.

We haven't gotten a new flock since this incident and are preparing the house for selling-- this neighborhood is full of terribly trained dogs and I can't look at the backyard without getting depressed.

 

[chicken04]

I'm so sorry for your loss.I don't have problems with predators because we have guard dogs we have lost around 5 chickens when they were free ranged.I would set a live trap for the dog so then you have proof it was getting ready for another chicken dinner.And if you caught it a second time you should just shoot it.And that person basically said she was unresponsive when she said her rabbits died because of heat stroke yeah nice work IDOIT!!!!And in your new flock if you get one get some mean roosters around 5 or 10 they will kill the little nusinse to protect your flock.I don't have roosters but I have 3 male goats that have saved 6 of our beloved chickens from pest.I would also put an electric fense on the out side of the coop so he can't dig under plus he'll get a shocking surprise!!And I'm super sorry what happened I just wanted to say that again it's just so sad.

Your also probably very mad at her stupidity.

And let your beloved chickens rest in peace.