Dog attack

[MidnightMaran]

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a chicken breed that will get along well with a Langshan? We are planning to get one more this fall, and possibly more in the spring.

 

[member 158781]

If anyone has a rooster that you trust health wise, ask if they can be together for a couple of (supervised) days. She'll lay fertilized eggs and may hatch them. Then she'll have a couple of her own babies with her. And you won't have to go through the stress of introducing new chicks.
Or: buy/order 2 or 3 pullets. You still have a week time at Tractor supply for that.
So sorry for your loss. Good luck. Let us know what you do???

 

[glassdragonfly]

S sorry! Thank goodness the boys arrived when they did or you would never know what killed your two girls.Knowing the problem is part of solving it.I would get her some friends but be sure to follow the guides on introducing new flock members.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I am so sorry for your losses. You have gotten great advise already so I will let that be, just so you know your chickens could still be attacked while supervised so don't feel guilty about not supervising them. My daughter had a hawk take off with one of hers feet in front of her. Things happen we just can't control, so keep resuring those boys it's not their fault!

 

[aart]

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a chicken breed that will get along well with a Langshan? We are planning to get one more this fall, and possibly more in the spring.

Breed doesn't matter.....any new birds, especially a single bird, may be difficult to integrate. And there is always a big risk of pests and disease when bringing in new bird.

This may help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As may these tips about...
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Howard E]

Back to the issue of the dogs.

What type of fence surrounds the yard? Can you post of photo of it?

Assuming they didn't go under or through it, likely as not they climbed over it. If so, it is likely you can run a single strand of electric fence wire along the top that will be waiting for them when they return (not if, but when). Result when they hit the hot wire should be an audible yelp, following by them returning to wherever it is they came from, never to return.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the others and would get her some friends. Can you make a covered pen for them? I rarely let my birds free range due to losses in the past. When I do let them out and if they do come out, they don't stay out long and usually go right back into their pens but they do have large pens. I have netting covering the pens, concrete under the gates and electric wire around the coops and pens. Chickens are flock birds. They will work out their pecking order. Every year I hatch out chicks grow them out and every year I move birds around for breeding. For my breeding pens I pick out 5 or 6 of my best females and put them with a chosen male. They work it out. This is coyotes last night behind some of the coops. They know the electric wire is there. Hopefully the video will load. My computer died so I'm using DH's computer and my ancient netbook.