German shepherds killed my chickens

[farmgirlwanabe]

My neighbors dogs got loose and while I was away from my house they killed 3 of my chickens. I know this because my other neighbors were witnesses. I'm not particularly upset about it as I let the chickens run free. I feel they have a happier life that way. I always assumed that one day a fox, mink, or raccoon would eventually catch a few but I never suspected dogs. Why wouldn't they fly away? I know they're not good flyers but I thought they'd be able to at least get out of reach and into a tree or something.

 

[dawg53]

Dogs were once wild animals and it is this wildness that is instilled in their genes,always has and always will be. They are hunters and will kill anything that is prey to them, chickens included. Chickens dont stand a chance vs a dog, it's a fact of life. Let this be a lesson to you and build yourself a sturdy coop to put your chickens in or else those dogs will be back,they have the taste for chicken blood now!

 

[SunshineSilkies]

Neighbors dogs did that to my turkeys and chickens a couple of years ago. They tried to say it wasn't their dogs till I made them walk a trail of feathers to their house. I told them I had alot of money in my birds and they better put their dogs on a lead or I would not be responsible for what may happen. They have not invaded my yard since....so sorry for your loss..

Sometimes our own pets will do the same thing. It's something that is just born in them..

/edited for spelling

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Quote:
I see your one question hasn't really been answered yet. And I don't have it, sorry. But I have witnessed my dog prancing around them and getting them stirred up once. For some reason, even though there are trees around they tend to half run--half fly for ground cover (bushes and ornamental grasses here). Most breeds can't fly up high enough to perch on a tree limb, I assume. Is it fear that keeps them from flying up out of danger or they lack the smarts to do that. It does puzzle me though because they fly up to roost at night to keep away from predators. Hopefully some chicken expert can tell us. Sorry for you loss as I have had a neighbor dog invite himself over here for a snack too.

BTW

 

[ethingtonart]

I don't have an answer for you either, but I can commiserate. Our neighbors dogs have killed two of our chickens. (Our chickens got out of the yard and we have since added some height to our fence.) However, the darn dogs got into our yard yesterday somehow, and luckly we saw them before they attacked our girls. Our chickens didn't try to fly though. They just ran for cover. Go figure.
I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Chickens are not "fliers" - yes they can flap/fly up onto a roost or into a tree but they are ground dwellers. When chickens panic - they do not think to go up - they just run (hopefully) to safety.

A fence would be helpful at keeping dogs out of your chicken area/yard.

 

[DADDYS HENS]

I'm so sorry to hear of your lose. I would like to say first I'm new to the chicken world this is my first year having these wonderful creatures.
Last June when we got or first batch of chickens we too had a dog attack, Our dogs no less got one of our araucanas and my wife and i went out of our heads. No we didn't beat the dogs but boy we gave them one mean screaming match. (Now I should mention I have an Australian Shepard and Colly mix and had a German Shepard as well) For the first couple of weeks we (my wife and I plus the kids) ALWAYS went outside with the dogs when the chickens were out.Every time the dogs went near the chickens either my wife or I would give a VERY stern (tut) shout. After a few days you would not believe it but the dogs started playing with the chickens. My Australian Shepard laid down with them and let the chicks walk all over him. As for my German he just went off and laid down and if a chicken would come his way he would run to my wife or I.(we lost him as he past away this fall)
An idea I can give you that we did is get some chicken wire and make a run for your chickens. There is a variety of chicken wire and also there is wire called hardware cloth it has very small holes and is much stronger than regular chicken wire. This will keep any other animal out when you are not with them outside.
Oh yes, I would also like to say our Araucana is doing great and we named her Lucky Lady. I hope I have been some help to you any questions please pm me, email me I would be great full to give you more ideas inf needed.
ONE other thing I would like to share...If your chickens are very friendly (like mine) they tend to crouch to the ground when approched This is why they might not fly away when a predator comes near.