Dogs Killing My Chickens!

[BrandoMan]

U would be correct in no vet. People around here dont take there dogs to the vet cause there just "dogs" to them. They dont feed them except maybe scraps. I often tell them the difference between my healthy dog and there starving dogs. My dog has all his vacinations and is fed twice a day, has fresh water all the time. He has a vet and a account at the vet thats got a $500 credit so just in case something happens and I got no cash I have atleast a down payment already paid up front. I actually baught him from some people who were not taking care of him and was starving just so he wouldnt die of starvation. He is a brindle colored pitbull. Everyone was scared of him and everyone who sees him is scared of him until they actually interact with him and he is a sweety. Big baby. I have changed the views of pitbulls with him. He doesnt try to kill any of our animals. The chickens and cats will sometimes sleep with him in the dog house. The dogs havent returned yet but it usually takes a few days before they return after getting chased off.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Birdshot from a shotgun will not penetrate the dogs from a distance. It will sting like heck but will not cause the dog to die or require vet care. On the other hand a" killing shot" attempted on a dog chasing a chicken is much more likely to cause a injury that requires vet care or a lot of suffering because the shot was not accurate. Watch the dog drag his broken leg away knowing the owner won't take him to the vet and you will wish you used bird shot. If and only if I could place a killing shot would I shoot to kill the dog.

 

[BrandoMan]

I run a improved modified choke so anything further than 25ft starts to spread quickly. 20 ft and closer it holds tight and will blow a good hole through thinner steel and plywood. I need to pick me up a full choke and it be good further. I shot the dog probably 50 ft away so he felt it and im sure it penetrated his skin but spreading so much a being bird shot would bleed so slowely and so little it would clot up before it could bleed enough to kill. I suspect its limping from being sore but not fatal. I dont run buch shot cause I really only hunt rabbits with it so no need. I need to buy some 3" 000 Buck Shot and a full choke and then it would be done. We have bobcats, cougars, coyote and bears around here but u RARELY see them but I got bigger guns for that but I dont want to shoot the dogs with anything thats gonna go to far. My 30-06, .300 Weatherby Mag, 7.62x54R, .45ACP, 7.62x39, .223/5.56 Nato, .357 mag are a bit overkill for dogs and will travel to far for my liking.

 

[judyc]

BrandoMan,

It looks like you've got things under control, as long as you sit out with a gun, guarding your property. Unfortunately, you have to sleep sometime.

I would invest in an electric fence and a really strong energizer. Dogs purely HATE getting zapped. I run a section of Electronet around my back yard to keep strays away. My chickens know they are safe from ground predators inside that fence.

Just a suggestion. That way, you can leave your property without too much worry, and get a good night's sleep.

 

[AhyokaAcres]

I'm in the same boat. I love all animals, and have never killed one in my life, but a neighbors dog has been around for a couple of years, but the past few months picked off my best hen's sister, and then just Saturday the buddy we got to replace her. I'm done dealing with him, and as soon as possible he will be trapped and shot. I don't take kindly to a dog coming on MY property to kill MY animals. We know it's him, as a neighbor across the way saw a "big white dog" with the first hen, and he is the only light colored (pale yellow) dog that has ever been around here.

 

[joan1708]

you need an electric fence. There will be more dogs coming.

 

[CariLynn]

OP....if your having trouble with the neighbors dog then do the right thing and kill them quick and with one shot. I find it very cruel and inhumane that your shooting the dogs with buckshot or other shotgun ammo. I would be so ashamed of myself if I did what your doing, as it isn't the dogs fault, it is the owner for his own ignorance, the dogs are doing what they do out of instinct or hunger. By using the buck shot they are suffering and in pain, the owner will surely not take the time to clean them up or take them to the vet. If they get an infection, do you know how painful that is going to be for the dog, to suffer and slowly die from?

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Shooting a dog with buckshot from a reasonable distance is no worse than spanking a kid in which you probably have a problem with as well. Buckshot from a reasonable distance will not penetrate the dog it only stings. Shooting at a running dog with ammo capable of killing will at least half of the time result in a crippled dog or a wound that won't heal without a vet. You don't know "shotgun ammo" because some of the most deadly forms of projectiles can come from a shotgun. Slugs and Double 00 to name a couple. I am attempting to save the dog by stinging him with birdshot buckshot in 7 1/2 or 8 loads from a reasonable distance. You have to know the gun and load and its capability. Don't shoot when its too close and only shoot when its running away. Common sense that a gun owner should use. Your suggestion to shoot to kill will result in at best a dead dog or mortally wounded one that will hopefully die sooner rather than later. Now tell me about your choice of gun and the proper load to dispatch the dog keeping in mind you will be firing a gun in a residential setting.

 

[dainerra]

actually, in many (most?) areas, NOT shooting to kill is considered animal cruelty and will get you a nice visit from the cops. Here, it is a felony!

I use a shotgun or a rifle to dispatch dogs on my property. I've also used a .40 cal glock. Getting close enough to the dogs has never been a problem for me. Most of them will either completely ignore you or will turn and growl while staring you down. A few have ran at the sight of a person coming outside - those are usually repeat offenders who have been scared off by other neighbors. The guy down the street has a rifle with a scope and he is usually the one who dispatches those.

 

[CariLynn]

Shooting a dog with buckshot from a reasonable distance is no worse than spanking a kid in which you probably have a problem with as well. Buckshot from a reasonable distance will not penetrate the dog it only stings. Shooting at a running dog with ammo capable of killing will at least half of the time result in a crippled dog or a wound that won't heal without a vet. You don't know "shotgun ammo" because some of the most deadly forms of projectiles can come from a shotgun. Slugs and Double 00 to name a couple. I am attempting to save the dog by stinging him with birdshot buckshot in 7 1/2 or 8 loads from a reasonable distance. You have to know the gun and load and its capability. Don't shoot when its too close and only shoot when its running away. Common sense that a gun owner should use. Your suggestion to shoot to kill will result in at best a dead dog or mortally wounded one that will hopefully die sooner rather than later. Now tell me about your choice of gun and the proper load to dispatch the dog keeping in mind you will be firing a gun in a residential setting.

I have not had a problem with any domestic animals that have harassed my chickens. I do not let them free range, we put thought and time into the large yard they are in and the yard is inside my horse pasture a ways away from the barn, so the horses coming and going scares much of the populace of wildlife away. However, the horses at night aren't in the barn, they are on the other side of the pasture, so we kept that in mind.

What we have shot, cleanly killing and no 2nd shot was needed, is a fox. I used a Ruger rifle, with 10/22 sub sonic ammo, a scope, and a silencer. Please Okallthis4eggs, keep in mind, I live in a rural setting, my closest neighbor is a half acre to an acre away on 2 sides of my farm. I am an FFL, so gun safety and those around me are first and fore most. My husband was an avid hunter till work, bills and a family became priority. I have been taught, as our children as well, if your going to take the safety off of any weapon, be prepared to use it and use it well and shoot to kill. If it is an animal, you shoot it and kill it, you don't try to "sting him", or anything else as it has been shown in this post and other posts, that the animal will and often does, come back.

If your in a residential setting, put up a fence and keep your neighbors dogs out.