Fox or dog?

[browning6]

Fox or Jack Russell is not relevant. Either could have done job, lack of consumption does not rule out fox, dog could have actually chased fox off before it had chance to consume kills. Pure speculation on that but possible although not likely.

Real issue is that either could have killed birds. Prevent next event and do not invest energy to deal with a single individual predator as cure to problem. Otherwise there will be a repeat by another individual.

This is a good point. try to remedy the problem at the source which is the safety of the birds. But having had 20 birds killed last year by two very ellusive dogs. I will say, if the predator comes back shoot it or call the pound if it is your neighbors dog. foxes usually will kill and pack it off and cache it for later but not always. it sounds like a dog to me.

 

[kathrathryn]

Fox or Jack Russell is not relevant.  Either could have done job, lack of consumption does not rule out fox, dog could have actually chased fox off before it had chance to consume kills.  Pure speculation on that but possible although not likely.

Real issue is that either could have killed birds.  Prevent next event and do not invest energy to deal with a single individual predator as cure to problem.  Otherwise there will be a repeat by another individual.

I see what you're saying here. We had just ordered some new materials to make a better coop a few days before the incident. The reason I want to know is that my neighbor refuses to believe that it could have been his dog. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't blaming his dog for something that she most likely didn't do.

 

[Chickie Mama]

A fox would snatch away and eat the chicken. There would be no sign of it other than maybe a few feathers. I recently caught a young fox. This one, I was later told, was too young to hunt but her mother might have been the reason I was missing a duck. Something must have happened to her mother and there were no other siblings that we could find. I took this little fox to a local wildlife rescue and relocation organization. They are WONDERFUL people!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I see what you're saying here. We had just ordered some new materials to make a better coop a few days before the incident. The reason I want to know is that my neighbor refuses to believe that it could have been his dog. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't blaming his dog for something that she most likely didn't do.

I have a neighbor that probably would have thought the same thing of her pack of malamute/husky crosses. Except for the fact that I caught 2 of them slaughtering everything they could catch and one of them brought a headless Polish home that she didn't know what it was.

I have a friend that came over for bar-b-que with her dog. When I told her the chickens were out and she should keep her dog close to her. She swore her dog wouldn't chase them. I told her - "don't make me kill your dog".
She couldn't believe I was going to get my shotgun as her dog roamed ever closer to the chickens that she quit paying attention to what I told her to pay attention to.
Once the dog saw the cute, runny, fluffy squeeze toys, it couldn't help itself.
Thankfully, the birds all sought refuge in the trees.
She said she was sorry and that she had no idea it would chase chickens. I explained that is what they do.
She still couldn't - and can't to this day - understand why I would kill her dog to save my chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

I see what you're saying here. We had just ordered some new materials to make a better coop a few days before the incident. The reason I want to know is that my neighbor refuses to believe that it could have been his dog. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't blaming his dog for something that she most likely didn't do.

Poll will not help much for convincing neighbor. Additionally, one of my livestock guarding dogs killed my neighbors brooding duck two nights ago. It is not easy going over and saying yep, my dog did it. Based on experience with owning up more than once and working around bees only in shorts, I would rather work with the bees than admit I did it. I still admit and make reparations to feel better in long term but not all parties think that is best or at least easiest route to go.

 

[mollybuck]

dog. it would be awful brazen for a fox during the day too... i am worried about the same thing. I have 3 dogs, 2 are almost 12 and can barely get around.. and my puppy has been around the chicks for a few months.... he got in the outside play pen and just looked at them... but my neighbors have a golden that attacked my old cocker spaniel last weekend... he had 2 big holes in his neck. She was there when it happened during my daughter birthday party. She watch it and still refused to admit it was her dogs fault and wouldnt even take her home. She jumps in my koi pond to attack my fish too.. so I know that one is going to be a problem already. BB gun is first.. warning...i will not tolerate it though. we've shot dogs that killed our turkeys, chickens, guinea hens. They were a doctors dogs, and when the cop showed up, my dad took him out back where the dogs were with all the dead animals... the cop wanted my dad to press charges against the doctor. but we just wanted our animals back.. replaced was alright.
good idea with the trail cam too...