Devastated after dog attack

[2 Acres]

My chickens are treated like kids.

Excuse me?

I've seen dogs put down because of a nip on the lip.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

A neighbor had company over who had brought their very poorly behaved dog with them. A few evenings later I let my hens out for a free range and lo and behold the dog happened to be outside. He ran over and throttled one of my hens while I was right next to them, I reflexively kicked out and grazed the dog with my boot and it broke off and chased my other hen. We were right behind and cut off the dogs chase and my hen got away.
When the owner came over a second later I said "Sorry about that, I didnt know your dog was out."
They apologized to me and that was that. Honestly it was my responsibility to be more aware before I released my chickens.
Dogs are gonna dog.

 

[Folly's place]

Actually no, the dog's owner is responsible is this situation, if your birds were on your property. Yes, being aware of what's out there before letting your birds out was up to you, but that dog wasn't where it belonged.
Glad things worked out, and hope the dog owner at least offered to pay for your bird!
Mary

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Actually no, the dog's owner is responsible is this situation, if your birds were on your property. Yes, being aware of what's out there before letting your birds out was up to you, but that dog wasn't where it belonged.
Glad things worked out, and hope the dog owner at least offered to pay for your bird!
Mary

I get that argument, but its unreasonable to assume and expect all people to be in control of their dogs. My chickens were safe until I brought them out. At that point they presented an irresistable target to an animal which is basically a bored wolf.

The majority of dogs make choices based on instinct which swiftly overrides their owner's leadership. Thats life.

 

[McChooky]

If their dog isn't trained not to kill chickens and they don't live next to you they shouldn't have turned it loose in your neighborhood.I hope for your sake the owner doesn't bring it back.They always return to scene of an attack

 

[lilofthestars]

I don’t really have a question or anything - I’ve just need to vent to someone who may understand. I’ve had chickens for nine years, and I’ve lost many to predators but I’ve never had anything like this happen.

My flock of 11 hens get free time every evening with supervision. Sometimes my dad and me, and sometimes just one of us. This evening, we were all out, but my dad had to go inside, and I had my 15-year-old hospice dog with me. All the sudden, the chickens were screaming and flying everywhere. My new-ish neighbor’s very large, mean dog had gotten out and was chasing them.

I ran around chasing him and keeping him from killing the chickens for a good 20 mins while screaming HELP!!! Of course, no one came. He finally started to go for my dog, and I couldn’t let that happen, so I dove on top of her and he got one of my beloved Cochins. I watched him eat her alive. The look on her face was unbearable. Thankfully, she died fairly quickly after he came and take a second bite out of her. I was finally able to call my dad, and the owner came over shortly after, and the three of us chased that dog for another 20 minutes.

It took a while to find all the chickens, and we had to pull some out from tight space after it got dark. They seem okay other than a lot of missing feathers. One is still missing. I’m not sure if she’s dead or hiding. She seemed okay last I saw her so I’m hoping she’ll show up in the morning. But I feel so bad for that Cochin.

The neighbor was very apologetic and felt awful, but he said he’s not sure how to keep the dog from getting out. I’m honestly scared to let any of my animals out anymore. I have some feral barn kittens and ducks too. The ducks get free time in the mornings. The cats are going to get rabies shots tomorrow and sleep in the barn at night. When a natural predator gets a , I feel like it’s my fault and kind of the circle of life and I know it’s a risk I take letting them have free time, but this just feels so different. It’s almost like we were violated.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

I understand that the neighbor feels bad but it’s his responsibility to keep his dog in. Just like I have a large white Swiss shepherd and we take her for walks. She has her own front yard with a tall fence if you’re gonna be a responsible animal parent you have to take responsibility. I also have Chickens and a rooster. I just do not let my dog go in the backyard. She has her own large front yard. My neighbor had his chickens and rabbits killed by dogs at the Neighbor doesn’t keep in the fence and he’s had the police called on him and Animal Control many times. I am so sorry what happened to you? That’s a nightmare.

 

[2 Acres]

I've seen dogs put down because of a nip on the lip

I almost had that happen to my Aussie shepherd. At one point my son took my dog over to the neighbors house. Keep in mind there were a number of kids there, and the dog was pretty arthritic.

Well, one of the kids gave my dog a tight hug, and my dog yelped and nipped the kid on the lip

That put me on "notice". This is/was a 14 year old dog arthritic dog.