Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I am so very very sorry. I truly hate dogs these days. The puncture wounds looked bad when they first happened. She probably had internal injuries that you could not know about. Am I correct in remembering the offending dog was a husky? You need to do a couple things now. First when you are able this evening or tomorrow you NEED to go inform the owner of Aliss's passing. If there is a ounce of responsibility within the owner they will at least offer to compensate you for a adult laying hen, and that is not cheap, $40 to $50 would be fair. It is time to also warn the owner if you have not already. The dog has done this once, it WILL do it again. If it were me, the 2nd it stepped foot back on your property it would be a dead dog walking I'm sorry. I would have your dad with you when you visit the dog owner to inform them of this as well.

I loved my dogs, but I would never allow them access to my horses, foals, chickens and kids, unattended. One never knows what goes through their minds.

Now a-days I am so paranoid about dogs with the chickens, it’s bad enough with the horses, but my wee chooks make me very nervous with the thought of dogs about.

 

[Ponypoor]

My dad has the owner's number. We'll let her know about it. But even now I couldn't ask her to pay for Aliss' death. I'm heartbroken but not angry and I can't blame the dog, and I can hardly blame the owner either. I know most everybody here has a different opinion than me on this, but I love dogs deeply, I know how and why they act the way they do, and I know accidents happen. And huskies are furry Houdinis. The dog was out, saw one of my free roaming chickens as a toy and played with her like a toy because she had easy access to her. I know and accept the risks of free ranging. The dog shouldn't have been on my property or have access to my chickens in the first place, but she was and did, and dogs don't have a concept of invisible boundaries/property lines. It's just unfortunate. I can't bring myself to feel any sort of resentment or anything like that.

I would suggest some electric fencing for your property as a security measure to protect your valuable livestock. You can easily put up a quick temporary fence using portable posts and electric twine. Three strands of the twine at the lowest level to help keep your chooks in, and then a 4th strand about 18” up the post to keep dogs etc out.

And I would not free range the chooks unless you are there all the time to monitor them until you get some security measures in place.

This will be your best and least expensive way to protect your beloved valuable friends.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

My dad has the owner's number. We'll let her know about it. But even now I couldn't ask her to pay for Aliss' death. I'm heartbroken but not angry and I can't blame the dog, and I can hardly blame the owner either. I know most everybody here has a different opinion than me on this, but I love dogs deeply, I know how and why they act the way they do, and I know accidents happen. And huskies are furry Houdinis. The dog was out, saw one of my free roaming chickens as a toy and played with her like a toy because she had easy access to her. I know and accept the risks of free ranging. The dog shouldn't have been on my property or have access to my chickens in the first place, but she was and did, and dogs don't have a concept of invisible boundaries/property lines. It's just unfortunate. I can't bring myself to feel any sort of resentment or anything like that.

I used to feel that way around dogs and be more forgiving. At this point after dealing with idiot owners who do not care, or try to make amends I no longer feel that way. She needs to be informed though so she can up "her" game in keeping the dog contained. The problem is going to be this dog has done this once, it WILL do it again given half a chance. Do not ask for compensation this one time, but if the dog owner offers, take it. If she is responsible she will offer on her own.

 

[Ponypoor]

Just makes the arithmetic harder to slip in 'per 5 mls'. Why???!

I know right?!

But I think it’s because the toddle can take a larger dose. So ridiculous isn’t it?!

 

[TOMTE]

I used to feel that way around dogs and be more forgiving. At this point after dealing with idiot owners who do not care, or try to make amends I no longer feel that way. She needs to be informed though so she can up "her" game in keeping the dog contained. The problem is going to be this dog has done this once, it WILL do it again given half a chance. Do not ask for compensation this one time, but if the dog owner offers, take it. If she is responsible she will offer on her own.

She will definitely be informed, I agree that she does need to know so she keeps a closer eye on her dogs. I think my dad said that she mentioned moving away soon, so possibly the dog won't be an issue anymore.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I may have came off harsh to the dog situation but today I am over dogs once again.

Thank god everyone was locked up or it things could have been devastating here, as it is CeeCee is a little sore from her fight.

I woke up this morning to CeeCee going ballistic inside the house jumping on the back door and a unholy ruckus from the chickens. My brother let CeeCee out the back door and followed, armed. The culprit was a huge pitbull trying to dig into the silkie pen. CeeCee and it got into a fight when she came charging towards it.

CeeCee is fine, thankfully all the chickens are fine. Stray pitt has been dealt with.

 

[Ponypoor]

I may have came off harsh to the dog situation but today I am over dogs once again.

Thank god everyone was locked up or it things could have been devastating here, as it is CeeCee is a little sore from her fight.

I woke up this morning to CeeCee going ballistic inside the house jumping on the back door and a unholy ruckus from the chickens. My brother let CeeCee out the back door and followed, armed. The culprit was a huge pitbull trying to dig into the silkie pen. CeeCee and it got into a fight when she came charging towards it.

CeeCee is fine, thankfully all the chickens are fine. Stray pitt has been dealt with.

The anger is for the people who let their dogs run. For you and your brother a big hug. I am glad your dog is ok, poor old CeeCee; too often I hear of pitties killing other dogs. And seriously injuring people. I have trained many horses and dogs over the years and you know my thoughts: It costs just as much money to feed a good horse (dog) as a bad one (Thank you Mary Twelveponies for your great sayings ).

Gosh I am soooo glad you are not running your gang anymore. Darn rouge dogs - you have no idea how many I have sent to the animal control over the past 36 odd years.

And you know I feel sad for the dog, they are only doing what dogs do. I have no use for the owners.

 

[Sally PB]

Fly high and free, beautiful Aliss!

Hugs for you, @TOMTE.

 

[Ponypoor]

Oy vey... Well... Let's see if I can hold myself together.

About an hour ago Aliss fell asleep. Within minutes she was gone. I don't know what happened. She was doing so well today. I was about to give her a piece of my dinner and she was just lying there, her comb was starting to turn pale, she was still warm. She must have just passed. I held her and rocked her and kissed her over and over and cried. I had to bury her by myself, my dad is sleeping. I'm just stunned, and my heart is broken. I don't know what happened. I'm just glad she went in her sleep. I hope she wasn't in pain. And I'm happy her last day was good. I'm just so... More than sad. I don't know how else to put it, just heartbroken. I didn't expect it. I didn't think it would hit me so hard.

One needs nerves of steel to have pets and kids.

 

[bgmathteach]

I have no idea what mix she is. She was apparently (I wasn't there) sold as a BSL, idk what the hatchery uses to produce their BSL (don't remember which hatchery FF&H gets their chicks from either. I asked @SimpleJenn once but I forgot what she told me ) or if she was even in the right bin in the first place.

She is much less heavy than the other BSL, Esme. I haven't weighed Esme recently but I expect her to be at least 5lbs.

That being said, our bathroom scale is like, almost 20 years old, and it took a few tries to even get it to work. But I tested it a few times and each time it came out with Aliss around 3lbs.

That is pretty light, still. Black sex links are usually a cross between Barred Rocks (hence the sex link) and Rhode Island Reds (some hatcheries use NHR). Aliss might just be on the small side for her 'breed' (actually not a breed, a hybrid - but you know what I mean...I hope.)