Help ! my flock was killed

[KittieChick]

SSS is quite drastic in this situation. I am sorry for your loss. I hope the dog owners took this seriously and were sincerely apologetic. As a dog owner and chicken owner I would do everything possible to make sure that my dog was leashed, kenneled, or whatever it took. I wouldn't want to have strained relations with my neighbors and I can't imagine unless they were really sorry for what happened and were happy to reimburse you that they will keep their dogs under control. One chance is all these dogs should get. You could also reinforce your side of the fence or take other precautions in order to keep your chickens safe. Best of luck with your new flock, I hope you and your neighbors can get past this incident and still be respectful to one another.

I'm assuming SSS is like "shoot to kill". My 11 year old Papillon was attacked in my fenced yard by the neighbor's dog last year. I had warned the neighbor about the dog's aggressiveness, and nothing was done. My dog got no chance, therefore, neither did their dog. The sad thing was that my dog had a good 5 or 6 more years on him and was my daily companion. Their dog was out roaming their 1 acre 24/7 on it's own without family time that I could tell. It was an easy choice for them to give the dog up for destruction. But I still don't have my dog.

Nice neighbors, or not, it's their job to make sure their dogs are confined, and an electric fence can fail. The fact that they have terriors (killing machines on small animals) and no backup just irritates me to death. Here in NC, we can only collect replacement value on property. Anyhow, I think for protection of my chickens, when I get them, an electric fence on the perimeter and my bb gun with a scope will do quite nicely.

 

[donrae]

SSS means Shoot, Shovel and Shut up.

It's the Shut up part folks have a hard time with....just sayin'

 

[Mrs. K]

For digging predators, which I have in abundance, laying down flat on top of the soil, a mesh such as chicken wire really helps. One can anchor it in place with those fabric staples or even some bricks or even a tire. Once the vegetation begins to grow through it, that will hold it in place too.

Animals that dig, like to dig under and up, a tight U so to speak. They can't dig through the mesh, and do not seem to understand that they could back up and dig under the mesh. It does not need to be real wide. I have had very good success with about 18 inches.

Mrs K

 

[KittieChick]

SSS means Shoot, Shovel and Shut up.

It's the Shut up part folks have a hard time with....just sayin'

Ahh. After the incident with my little dog, Tony, the sheriff and animal control both said that we have the right to use terminal force to protect our property and persons... Yes, shutting up is difficult for many humans...

 

[Mister B]

Had nearly the same thing happen this weekend. Something ate 3 of my black Australorp chickens, including the rooster. One survived by getting into the pen with the 8 week old chicks. She was really upset. There are 15 of these little chicks, a mix of barred rock, buff orpington, golden buff and rhode island reds. Your husband is right, she cant chase them all. Lucille will eat, and while she chases one chick, the others swoop in and eat. She turns to chase another and the rest come in. It is really interesting to watch. She has calmed to the point she doesn't really chase them much, now. It only took a day or so. I feel for you. It is a horrible feeling.

 

[Terrip598]

Actually they were pretty rude about it. They are new neighbors so were trying to be polite. Next time I will shoot first, and let them be sad. My local sheriff told me that if I found the dogs actually killing the chickens on my property I could legally shoot them. But I have always owed animals and would not hurt an animal because its owner has no sense. My entire yard is fenced with 1 exception, the gate going between the 2 properties did not have chicken wire on it, only regular fencing. That has now been fixed. We were very friendly with the previous neighbors.

 

[Terrip598]

I'm a softy and I love raising chicks so I don't charge as much as I should. In my area of Louisiana there is a big demand right now for laying hens. No one wants to bother raising them, so I do it for them. I do charge more for the rarer breeds , actually sold a true blue Andalusian roo for $50.00. He was nasty and I was glad to see him go. I think the price should depend on how much food costs in your area. Chicken feed here is fairly cheap. So I stay around $15-20 per hen. Red & black star are the most popular and easy to raise. I know some charge for "care" of the bird, but if its for your enjoyment is that really fair. Good Luck with your hens! And let me know how it goes.
Terri

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

SSS is quite drastic in this situation. I am sorry for your loss. I hope the dog owners took this seriously and were sincerely apologetic. As a dog owner and chicken owner I would do everything possible to make sure that my dog was leashed, kenneled, or whatever it took. I wouldn't want to have strained relations with my neighbors and I can't imagine unless they were really sorry for what happened and were happy to reimburse you that they will keep their dogs under control. One chance is all these dogs should get. You could also reinforce your side of the fence or take other precautions in order to keep your chickens safe. Best of luck with your new flock, I hope you and your neighbors can get past this incident and still be respectful to one another.

I think you need to pursue things further with the neighbor for reimbursement. I also sell point of lay hens for $20 and would expect to be reimbursed that amount if they were killed. I'd also be ready to SSS if those dogs show up again.

Given that donrae suggested SSS if the dogs show up "again" I am not seeing it as drastic at all - nor do I see how it is contrary to your statement that "one chance is all the dogs should get" -- they had that one chance, the neighbors have been put on notice as to what happened and you can bet your sweet egg basket that if said dogs were seen on my property again I would not hesitate to SSS.

 

[Terrip598]

I am sorry for your loss Mister B. Losing any animal is tough. Losing more than 1 is very rough. I have noticed that Lucky has calmed down. She has become vey talkative and talks to any human who comes near her. Of course it could be "so where is my scratch? your late" lol.

 

[crazyfeathers]

SSS?. I can have an opinion, one chance and then animal control should be contacted. I rescue animals and just disagree with SSS as is my prerogative. It's not my situation so if she wants to SSS like law enforcement told her that is her choice. I haven't been in this type of situation and hope never to be. Don't read between the lines or jump to conclusions about what I wrote. Again my sympathies on the loss of your flock. I thought we were here to help and offer support not pick apart others statements. :/