I’m heartbroken...

[cmom]

@grace4every1

 

[grace4every1]

Thank you so much!

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

The dog that came into my yard and killed my yorkie, (I was standing less than 10ft away)

Good fences make great neighbors. I live on 3 acres and prior to moving in, the first priority was to install goat fencing around the entire perimeter. I have 3 dogs and keeping them, and my neighbors safe is non negotiable. I also have chickens who have a large coop and a large run because dogs will be dogs, even mine.

I'm sorry for your loss but the best thing you can do is learn from it and take necessary steps to safeguard your property.

 

[cmom]

We have a neighbor who has a miniature schnauzer. One evening she let it out her back door to do it's business before it being in for the night. A coyote got it. It didn't die that night but did die the next day from it's injuries. I see them often on my cameras mainly at night. A coyote next to the compost pile in the right side of the picture with some of the coops in the background.

 

[grace4every1]

We have a neighbor who has a miniature schnauzer. One evening she let it out her back door to do it's business before it being in for the night. A coyote got it. It didn't die that night but did die the next day from it's injuries. I see them often on my cameras mainly at night. A coyote next to the compost pile in the right side of the picture with some of the coops in the background.
View attachment 1779135

We have coyotes too and lock them up tight at night. We even put little locks on all the openings so the raccoons can't break in if they somehow manage to get in the run.

 

[cmom]

I see mostly coyotes and fox on at least one of the cameras most every night.

 

[Trux]

Very sorry for your losses, losing your yorkie and having to watch it, I cannot imagine. I hope you win that court battle, I really do! Predators are creatures of opportunity whether it be dog, coyote, raccoon, hawks or any others. If it presents itself and can be done they will succeed. A lot of us have learned the hard way, just as you have, so your not alone in this by a long shot. My hope is that there are those,who are making the same mistakes we have, READ this and learn from it, so they don't end up posting another sad tale of chickens gone missing, or finding them torn apart in their coop or run, or from just letting them free range unsupervised. We owe it to our flocks to keep them as safe as possible.
I also notice you have USMC in your name, who ever it is, you or your DH I want to thank you for your/his service and sacrifice.

 

[cmom]

I think everyone who owns or has owned chickens has had some losses. It can be very hard. I can feel your pain. Around 3 months ago I had a very special bird, a 3 year old cross beak, who was taken by a fox during the middle of the day. She had the run of the place, loved to be held and would come when called by her name. I still miss her every day. This is another fox.

 

[Joe1962]

Sorry for your loss. i went through this last year, "my first year with chickens". Came home from work and found a couple scared in the run. I walked all over the property and found most of them hiding in tall grass or high in the trees to scared to move. I did loose several though. I have since lost another hen and my Roo due to a weasel attack in the coop. I reinforced the coop and covered the run in Hardware cloth. I have 7 new chicks going into the coop this weekend. I still let them out to forage during the day. They love getting out some much I can't take that away.
I went with Sebright Bantams to make sure I would have small quick moving good flyers to get away from the dangers. The eggs are smaller but very good and they are good egg layers. They don't like to lay when it's below freezing.