Freaking out!

[homesteader34]

Quote:
**Yes, I live beside my inlaws. They gave us our land when we were married in 94'. Yes to everything you asked. We do own the land we are on. My husband went over and talke dto them last night. So I am hoping it helped. Chickens are outside again today.... so far everything is fine. We think my FIL had a heart attack early this morning...so not sure where the dogs are. I know he couldnt have done something with them overnight. Im waiting for my hub to call me with an update on his dad and maybe he will know about the dogs. Thanks for your advice

 

[chickbea]

What a mess! Poor you!
I suggest you hang little treats all over your electric fence - pieces of bacon, hot dogs, etc. In come the dogs for a snack, and ZAP! right on the nose. It only takes a few times of this before they decide that no matter how tasty your place smells, it just isn't worth the pain. I also wouldn't be afraid to get a nice strong charger.

 

[homesteader34]

Quote:

Ya'll come on down! I think I need those lessons! My husband travels and isnt home much. When he does come home he takes over dealing with them. We are the "black sheep" in the family. Because I homeschool and we dont go to their church. But thats a whole other issue..LOL I know I know.. stupid isnt it!

THANK YOU so much for that. I will have to find out what hardware cloth is and get some today. A fence is a perfect idea. We started to do that years ago, but for some reason didnt. I just wonder if we can afford that right now. We are remodeling whole house right now. Ill check on prices today though.

 

[homesteader34]

Thank you all so much!! Not only have I got some great advice... but got some great laughs also. Made me feel alot better. I am so glad I found this group.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I was gonna suggest the hardware cloth too. Chickenwire is good for keeping chickens in and nothing else out.
Make sure that you put a good heavy padlock on the coop door too, because I have a feeling that DMIL(d is not for dear LOL) would open the door and let the dogs have at the chickens.
Electric fence is a really good idea too. Especially if you put a strand at peepee level..

I too am the black sheep, just of the neighbourhood...as for the church thing...as long as you know where you're going and have a good life then doom on MIL.
Hope your FIL is doing alright.

 

[KrisRose]

Glad to give you a laugh!! I'm also a black sheep and kinda get bent over threads about rotten family members

. Did'nt mean to insult your DH!!
Hardware cloth only has openings of 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Chicks can't stick their heads out. At Home Depot I got 2 ft by 25 ft for about 18 bucks (1/2 inch) and 4 ft by 25 ft for about 40 bucks. You can stick it right over your existing chicken wire.
Good Luck.

 

[usbr]

Thanks for the clearification homesteader34. Its not a good situation to be sure but I feel you should take care of it now because God forbid, the FIL could just up and die at the drop of a hat. Do you think the MIL will be more or less willing to work with you after that point? Thats why I would take care of things now and not let them slide further. Sorry to sound so grim about the FIL but its a fact of life that sometimes things go fast, my own father drove himself to the hospital but was gone for 3 hours before they could even get ahold of me at work.

Its clear the dogs are a problem and if not restrained (fenced or chained up) they are violating the law. I just did a quick google to see what the fence laws were in your state and although not as favorable as WI where I live, its not as bad as it could be. If I was you, I would check further into the laws and document some of the problems you are having with the dogs (vidio footage or digital pictures of them on your property). Here is a link to get you started: http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/VIRTUAL_LIBRARY/ECONOMIST/septoct06.pdf Take special note to the section titled "Right to Impound Stray Animals" and of course the section on "Dogs".

I would be happy to help out more if you want but please put away the pellet gun, it wont be helpful for you if you have to take legal measures. If you just need the nuisance animals gone, I can help with that too but again the pellet gun wont be needed. Teach your kid to target shoot with it, its a great hobby.

HTH,
Rich

*As a side note for any Wisconsinites reading this that may be having the same trouble, look into the WI fence laws, they are very favorable to the landowner. Just threating to enforce the letter of the law usually is enough to straighten up uncoopertave neighbors.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If you fence your own property, you will be so much happier. You, your child, your chickens and your little dog will all be safer. It will not only keep out your inlaws dogs, but other roaming dogs. It'll probably bug your MIL, so enjoy that, too.

Build your coop and a run strong enough to keep out dogs and you will also have a coop and run strong enough to keep out many other predators.

Good luck with all this and try not to let her get to you.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I like the paint ball approach to the dogs. I've never had to use it but it lets the owner know that their dog could have come to a much worse fate, and that the dog is a nuissance (sp?), Besides, it sounds like your MIL really wouldn't like a painted up dog.

Karen

 

[homesteader34]

Quote:
No worries. You didnt insult him. I would be saying the same thing if I didnt know he wasnt home much. So its all good.

I went today and got the hardware cloth. My kids and I are going to put it out there tomorrow.

We also found out our babies are only a little over 4 weeks old. They are so big for that age. Thanks for the luck, we can use all we get!