help please!

[chkn]

Well, it's so sad but you know, you gotta have some kind of fencing to keep the big critters out. Chickens are just targets for every passing dog and coyote. I also keep my chicken pen closer to the house so if something should get in at night, I can hear the commotion and do something about it.

 

[ivan3]

chickensinparadise wrote: I need to know how to protect future pets(chickens) from being destroyed from neighboring pests, I mean pets, without a fortress. In order to see that the owner takes RESPONSIBILITY I have to prove how much each chicken's life is worth (although the notion is sad, no pet's life has a price, thier lives are priceless). If you could help me show the courts that the life of a pet does not stop at a dog or cat I would be more than greatful to you. Thanks again for all of your help.

No Ft. Chook? That is a tough call.

1. Let all the neighbors in the area know that you've been having problems with foxes/coyotes and have put out poison/snares/sets and that you'd hate for any of their dogs to be harmed.
2. Actually put out traps/snares/etc. (if not the neighbor's dogs then eventually foxes/coyotes/etc.) this will decrease the overall frequency of predation but will not end it.
3. DO NOT let the offending owner of the dog know that it attacked your chickens. Immediately call the Cops and tell them that the dog attacked YOU while you were trying to protect your chickens (hard to argue with when the deputy arrives to observe a massacred flock of chooks). You will NEVER alter the cultural differential in valuation that exists between dogs and chooks. However, the differential in valuation between humans and dogs is such that asserting that the beast attacked you allows for a far wider range of legal options. As the `loose dog', crossing your property line becomes the owner's proxy agent of trespass and destruction the owner deserves to eat whatever they are served.
4. In some states depriving one of the right to use and enjoy one's property (varying standards) is fodder for civil suits.

That said, building a good sized run with electric fencing and an impregnable coop is, in my opinion, the only way to be sure. Free range your flock when you are available to intervene (keep a rifle/shotgun handy). A pair of foxes can do the same damage you've already suffered and you'll have no recourse at all.​

 

[newhenfan]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your pets. I know how your wife feels. My chickens are my babies and it's hard to take such a loss. We too have neighbors that refused to take responsibility for their 2 dogs.They were constantly loose,even after 1 of them got hit by a car and had to have $15,000 worth of surgery on a broken back.(we were actually the ones to help the dog get medical attention as the owners were not home at the time) One is a bull mastiff, and the other is a st. bernard. We are animal lovers, and could never bring ourselves to harm the dogs,but there ARE measures one can take. These dogs had been let out when we had people over for back yard parties,when our grandchildren were in the yard,ect. There were times when my husband would go to put the garbage out at 6 am and the dog would be waiting right outside our garage and growl at him! We asked nicely, repeated times, for them to please tie the dogs up. We did not want to have to call the dog officer,but it continued, and the bull mastiff tried to attack my 6 year old grandson.Thank goodness it was cold weather, and his thick winter coat took the brunt of it.(although now he's terrified of all dogs) We called the dog officer and filed a complaint.They said the most important thing to do was keep a record. Call every time the dogs were on our property, and the more times we called, the higher the fine got.Not to mention we had documentation if we ever had to go to court. One day last summer,I heard my girls(hens) making a ruckus outside,and when I looked,there was the st. bernard, IN my coop, where I had babies in cages in the fron part of the coop.I chased the dog away,and the babies were scared, but ok. The next morning, one of my favorite pulletts was found dead in the coop. I believe she was actually scared to death by the dog. Nothing will bring her back. We ended up calling the dog officer about 5 times before they actually "got it" but now, those dogs are NEVER out loose,and my grandchildren & chickens are safe. I can't help you with prices on your chickens, but if I were you, before you get any more, I would keep an eye on your property, and call the dog officer any time you see those dogs on your property. The fines will get higher & higher for the owner, until he realizes it would cost less to buy himself a fence. And agree with you, it's not YOUR responsibility to fence your property. It's HIS responsibility to control his pets & keep them on his own property! Good luck and condolences. Nancy p.s. boy THAT was a long post huh?! lol

 

[JROOSTER]

This is what I would do. This might not be what you want to do or would do but I hope it helps. SSS

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
However, what was actually said was

we said " no thank you, just please don't let your dogs run on our property again".

Since they did NOT keep their dogs confined, the neighbor broke the deal, and the OP should be reimbursed for ALL of them.​

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
What is hte law about dogs "at large" where you live?

 

[theFox]

Sonoran,

The OP signed the first post indicating Michigan as being his location I quoted Michigan State Law in regards to dogs bothering chickens.

The OP needs to file a formal complaint with the police.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
You said it priceless. In order to prove your point you probably need a good lawyer.Theirs no excuse for the dogs to be on your property. The neighbor doesn't care about your chickens so why should you care about his dogs.Your right about the fence. His dog lives your chickens die & people are telling you that their just chickens. Hogwash, chickens to me are three fold. You get eggs to eat are sell. They can also be your pet if so desired & chickens can be a source of entertainment all bundled up in feathers.I wouldn't let your neighbor off with a little measly fine.

 

[Mattemma]

So sorry for your loss! I would see what the cost of pullets are from hatcheries. I remember 12 week olds selling for around $15.
It is a crap shoot regarding whether the judge will side for you or not.He may feel they are *just chickens* too,and that you are wasting court time. If it is not a huge expense I would do it.You already lost the entire flock,so spending a bit more to recoupe would be worth it.

If I were you I would also look forward to killing the dogs next time they are on your property.No need to threaten the neighbor.He is a fool if he thinks animals running free are not at risk for injury or death.When his dogs disappear or are found dead he will blame YOU even if you had nothing to do with it.

I don't try to get close with animals after having to euthanise a few,but no matter what they *get you*.Even chickens have such individual personalities.They crack me up.We would be very sad if they were killed.Furious if it was a neighbors dog.

We fenced in our entire yard,but it is only (barely) an acre.If I had 40 I would just do a large area around the coop maybe.Knowing me though I would HAVE to run some T posts and a wire line along the property line.I am one of those types that needs to mark out my property.

Best wishes getting this resolved!

 

[chickensinparadise]

Thank you for all of your help