HELP!!Scary problem!! Any Advice?

[wischickenlover]

Thank you all so much for the great replies!!!! The latch on the kennel door is soething completely different altogether...and no way for a dog to unlatch it. The last two times, the dog was penned and only the chickens were out running around. The first day, it was both. So its impossible to be the dog. I am investing in some good locks today-then we will see what happens. I will keep you posted! Thanks again!

 

[Lunachick]

wischickenlover, I would take some sick days if possible, and hang around watching everything going on.. Good Luck, tell us when you get some answers.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

You might want to check out dummy security camera's you can go online or check at a electronics store you can pick them up for around $9.95 + batteries not included, they have motion detection have lights and look real.
http://www.24-7cctvsecuritycameras.com/cctv/dummy.htm

 

[chicknmania]

I am a private investigator and just wanted to tell you that video cameras may not be as expensive as you think. It's too bad I'm not closer as I could help you find what you need, probably for a minimal cost, but it's hard to know what you need without actually looking at the area and what needs to be covered. However, I suggest you go to Radio Shack (if you have them there, that's the best place to go in my opinion) or Best Buy; or any electronics store really; there you can get a clerk to help you and you can describe to them what you need; failing that, look on line, you might be surprised. It's just if you buy on line, you can sometimes get hosed by accidentally buying cheap stuff, if you don't know what you're looking for. If you decide to do it that way try to pick a reputable site that has a clerk to help you. I would highly suggest that you look into it, though; it sounds like a scary situation and would give you some peace of mind. If you really can't afford that, look at buying a dummy camera or two to mount in a high profile area; that just might scare whoever it is away and generally are cheaper than the real thing.

 

[TheBigWRanch]

Years ago I had problems with my chicken and rabbit cages being opened, and all the animals out. It took me some time to figure out what it was, but then I caught my neighbor boys playing around in my barn yard, and told them they could not come over without my permission. It stopped happening after that, but before I found them, they actually let their dog in with them and it killed one of my chickens. Hope you find out what ever is doing this.

 

[kstaven]

If the area is within site of your house I would suggest a cheap web cam and a simple software pack that snaps a picture every couple minutes.

 

[spencereb]

wischicklvr,
I have a malmute and a huskey dog. Several years back, I had a problem with neighborhood kids opening their gate, just to watch them run I guess. When those dogs run, it's nearly impossible to get them back. We were lucky. I already had an electric fence around the fenced in yard to keep them from digging under the fence. So, I wired the electric fence up the inside of the gate (where the only latch is located, and where you can not see it.) Interestingly, our dogs have never been turned loose again! I'm not so sure this is what you need. Sounds to me like you might want to get a friend or relative to do some house sitting for you, just to see what can be seen, while your family is away. Good luck. -Spence

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Are you friendly with your closest (but still pretty far away) neighbors on both sides? Or are they strangers to you? Do you know if one of them has a problem teen, or anything like that? It would help to know something like that. Surely if you are sort of "out in the middle of nowhere" someone isn't coming a great distance to cause trouble. Which makes me think it must be someone fairly close by. I would go talk with the neighbors on both sides, asking their suggestions, and sort of mention you now have notified the police, and have security cameras rolling, so you sure hope you catch them. Might discourage them, if it should be mischevious teen neighbors, or something like that.

 

[mudhen]

spencereb , hate to admit it, but I would try this method right along with the locks and video. Might make a good submission for AFV, title it "teaching a lesson to ignoramauses with nothing better to do."

 

[mudhen]

wischickenlover how did it go today? Keep us posted on how you are doing, we're all thinking of you.