Flock of 20 reduced to 6!

[chicknmania]

PS: Even Black Cat firecrackers work for our dog.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Electric fence will work even when you are not there, and to some extent will work even when it isn't on after the local wildlife has been trained to avoid it. We put peanut butter on the fence in the spring.

A 4-yo is smart and will learn quickly not to touch the fence. Our young birds learn quickly that the fence can hurt while they cannot fly, and now as adults stay inside the 42" high fence even though they can fly over it.

Of course, when our fence was first installed, I caught the eldest boy paying the youngest boy to touch the fence, which he did, and everyone learned about the fence. No permanent damage to anyone. Make certain the fencer is is intermitant, where it zaps, then rests and zaps again. This give any thing in contact a quick jolt, then a chance to get away.

Very sorry for your losses. Good luck with ways to keep them safe in the future.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose any chickens, but especially bad when it's so many and your favorites. I'm glad your child is alright. That is so much more important. I would let your neighbor know what happened and ask if he can keep his dog at home until you can get your run fortified.

I do think fortifying your run is important. If it wasn't the neighbor's dog, it could have just as easily been a stray dog or a raccoon going through that chicken wire. Electric wire works well. So does any of the stronger fencing wire, layered over chicken wire. 1/2" Hardware cloth works. I use that over any coop openings like windows or vents, to keep out nighttime predators, when the chickens are locked up. I would also think about attaching an apron of wire around the run, to prevent digging into the run.

 

[Judy]

I have some experience with two dogs that run together and hot wire. One zap on one of their noses and neither dog would come within 10' of that wire after that.

 

[bobbi-j]

Agreed that electric could be helpful. My DH and our sons all grew up around electric fencing. They learn real quick not to touch it. Firecrackers may or may not work - depends on the dog. Our dog loves to hunt, and we need to lock him in while shooting fireworks because he wants to retrieve them!

 

[CMV]

So sorry for your losses. Devastating! You may still find the missing birds. They may start to show up in the next day or 2. Chickens will hide themselves and remain in a sort of catatonic state after an attack like this. They can remain like that for up to 48 hours. Hopefully some will start to make their way back home. Be prepared for some injuries, though.

Agree with everyone else about the hot wires. I have an electric fence and swear by them. Best investment ever. As far as baiting the fences- use peanut butter in little foil envelopes. Lasts longer and isn't as nasty as meat when it's been hanging for a while.

Good luck.

ETA- My 5 y.o. stays right away from the fences after she'd seen me get popped a few times by it during chores. You can't pay her enough to test it. Her friend tested it, lived to tell the tale, and also stays away from it, now. Kids will try it out...once. My dogs won't go within 50 feet of the fences. They also tried it...once.