how to cover your rear when dh shoots the neighbors dog? pre-emptive?

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
How far from home does a chicken usually roam? Mine dont cover more than a couple acres.. i live on 50..and my closest neighbor is a half mile away. My chickens never make it that far..if they did..theyd be wandering not free ranging and id be responsible for any damage that they cause. Dogs on the other hand easily cover a couple of miles in a few minutes. That, imo, is the difference between *free ranging* chickens and *wandering* dogs. Its also possible to train a dog..doubt anyone could boundary train a chicken.

Fences are not the cure all for predators either. Dogs, coons, coyotes etc go under, over and through fences.

My point was not about someone living on 50 acres with chickens free ranging....the original question was about chickens free ranging on less than 2 acres. The chance of them staying put and not wandering into someone's yard is pretty small. I said that the neighbors with the dogs should fence their yards to contain them but the chickens should be contained, too. There are plenty of people who don't like chickens or don't want a chicken roaming into their yard. If EVERYONE kept their own animals contained it would be a lot easier for all. Sounds like some seriously irresponsible dog owners in the area, and that is sad for the dogs and difficult for everyone else. I live in an area infested with loose roaming dogs. I have been physically trapped on my porch by 3 Great Dane males fighting over an in heat female, so I do understand. My neighbor used to let his chickens free range......every single one was killled in one evening a few months ago (not sure how many but there were a bunch of them). It is just not worth it, and even if he shot all the dogs involved, the chickens would still be dead.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'd send the note to EVERYONE in the neighbourhood...the ones who have a brain in their head and actually care about their animals will keep them up...

In my town/city I HAVE to keep my birds in the yard or I can get cited...the same as the idiot neighbour who walks their dog but tossing it out the door to let it run for a couple of hours, then drives up and down the street and honk the horn until it comes back.

To me, freeranging is scratching and kicking all over my eighth of an acre fenced yard. This is the Safe Zone...outside the walls anything can happen...

BTW, just for the record...I let my son spend $5 to buy his friend's airsoft gun so that I can use it the next time Buddy tries to get Obelisk...

 

[Whistling Badger]

Hi, KLF.

Have you found out what the laws are that pertain? I agree that that's your first step. Wyoming, where I live, is a "fence out" state (it's the landowner's responsibility to fence other people's animals out, rather than the animal owner's responsibility to fence them in). But the rules are a little fuzzy when it applies to dogs. I guess that's what we get for having laws written by ranchers!

Don't get your hopes up about the note, though you have to try it unless you can afford to fence your place securely (there's no way we can afford that with our place). My experience is that most people think their dogs can do no wrong. It's really, really wierd...my dog is good natured and well trained. I've had people compliment me on what a nice, well mannered dog he is, and then had the same people get on my case because I scold and/or whack him when he misbehaves. They don't see the connection. lol People are wierd.

If it does come down to the use of (hopefully non lethal) force, it's hard to beat vigilance and a good BB gun. A .22 with birdshot is a good short range option, but many bb guns are accurate out to 50 yards or so with practice, and they sting like heck. I've nailed a couple dogs in the butt with BB's and they don't come back for a good long time. At least, not in day light. I don't think the bb's penetrate the skin, althouth I haven't tried it on myself yet so I'm not sure.

The same goes for a sling shot. No serious damage to the critter (unless it's a very small dog or you take out an eye accidentally--shoot for the hind quarter), but it whacks them good and they tend not to come back.



Tom

 

[Oblio13]

I think chickens should be fenced. They simply can't be kept out of gardens and etc. otherwise, and as you know, almost everything eats them.

Semi-permanent electric mesh fence seems the most logical option.

I try to be responsible with my critters, but I've had dogs, horses, guineas and chickens all "go walkabout" more than once. I'd be perturbed if someone killed them.

Personal anecdote: My neighbor's bird dog got into my chicken coop three times. I thought very hard about shooting it, but didn't. Now, I'm very glad - they've become good friends and have done me many favors. I never would have gotten to know them if I'd whacked their dog.

 

[Beekissed]

Its just responsible pet ownership, and shows consideration for others, to provide a fence. One can still free range, but if you're free ranging just because you can't afford a fence, or are just reluctant to erect one, then maybe getting chickens isn't a good choice of pet. I'm amazed at the number of people on here spoiling for a fight....the chickens aren't even in residence and folks are getting mad at the neighbor's dogs. How much sense does that make? If one knows that dogs roam freely through the neighborhood, its just common sense to prepare for the worst. Not by threatening the neighbors or their animals...what gives one neighbor the right to roam a chicken and get all angry if someone roams a dog? Do folks let their sheep wander around? Or even the pigs? Livestock is livestock, whether you call it a pet or not. Dogs come and go, chickens do the same....its likely the neighbors aren't as transient and you may need their goodwill one day if one of YOUR pets gets loose without your knowing. Why must everyone take the aggressive track first?

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Yes

 

[rooster-red]

If there is a leash law that is being violated, I would call and report it to animal control.

Let them do their job to enforce the law and take care of your neighbor that isn't providing shelter at the same time.

 

[klf73]

We actually only have one dog in the neighborhood that I "think" will be a problem, it is young and the parents expect the kids to "take care of it". It frequently gets away from them and is rather young so I don't think he is malicous, just wanting fun. We do currently have chicks, they are 3 weeks old. I will be constructing a pen from an old arch type tarp garage so they should be able to scratch about when not in their run or coop. I really wanted them to be in our yard mostly for insect control and we will be fencing (chain link)in that 1/4 acre because my son has autism and we live on a lake. The fence will only work to slow everyone down, but I have spent a lot of time and money and moved away from the city so we don't have to feel so "enclosed". It just really bugs me that some people are so irresponsible. The second biggest problem is we live where many people vacation, and with that they bring their dogs. One of the biggest pet peeves I have is that they let their dogs constantly go "potty" on my property(which I end up having to clean), and once chickens are added, I can just imagine.....maybe a discharge of the shotgun just once will wake them all up and realize they need to be a little more responsible, maybe.....
Krista
I just thought I should be able to use the rest of my land safely without worry (at least from dogs, the fisher is another story)

 

[rooster-red]

Animal control will get the message out and to the owners directly and legally, then if you do have to shoot a dog the owners can't say they were not warned, it will be a matter of public record, and documented to show a previous problem.

 

[rufus]

Don't send the neighbors the note. If you do, you will be blamed for every missing dog and cat in the area. You will be known as the people that kill animals.

Remember, you have animals too, and your kids will be going to school with their kids.

I don't like the idea of shooting because those bullets just keep on going until they hit something pretty solid. Some rifle bullets can go a mile and still kill someone.

And it has been my experience that stray bullets usually hit something you really didn't want shot, like your new $50,000 tractor, your best bull, or your wife's car.

Bite the bullet and build the fence.

Rufus