I'm afraid I'm about to have a predator problem...ideas?

[dsmith1427]

One time I was told to keep dogs from digging up your yard bury chicken wire, yes chicken wire, where they dig. When they go back to re-dig the area, they hit the chicken wire and don't like it. Eventually, they get the message and stop digging. I never tried this but it may be worth a shot, or not ..... ha ha ha ha ha

Don

 

[ChksontheRun]

We buried plain old chicken wire to teach our dogs to stop digging. It worked. We just buried it beneath the grass (like sod depth). They did break a little at first, but quickly stopped digging. Maybe you could offer to work together with the neighbor to bury it on their side of the fence.

 

[tri-5-ron]

Yeah, I've buried chicken wire before to discourage dogs from digging, and got satisfactory results.
Sure beats taking up a sniper position on the roof of the house, or lobbing grenades over the fence.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Well I've got chicken wire scraps laying around, and some welded wire. Not enough to go down that entire side of the yard, but we can start with the corner where the dogs are diggging (behind the coop). I mowed tonight, should make it somewhat easier

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Well I've got chicken wire scraps laying around, and some welded wire. Not enough to go down that entire side of the yard, but we can start with the corner where the dogs are diggging (behind the coop). I mowed tonight, should make it somewhat easier

But Tala, I think to get the effect that you're after the wire would have to be on your neighbor's side of the fence.

Ed

 

[kimb]

I'd say it's probably easiest in the long run to dig and install the wire below the ground ...

I think the electric would work - but your risk your birds getting shocked (can't be good for their hearts if you have it as high as you'll need it to stop a prey-driven dog)... if I were to use a fence - I'd probably come 2' off the fence and string up a electronet (used for sheep/goats) because a. it's a physical barrier and b. it'll shock 'em if they touch any of it/anywhere and will most likely throw themselves into it and really get zapped!) ... putting it up away from the fence, will allow for them to dig under the fence and when they come up from under the fence, it'll be another alternative fence.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do - and hopefully you can come to some agreement/arrangement to keep both your birds and their dogs safe and secured.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

Quote:
How is this "Not anybody's fault"? You did nothing to prevent your chicken from escaping your yard (or if you did, you did not do enough). That would make it your fault.

Would it be your neighbors fault if his dogs escaped out of his yard, or is that nobodys fault as well?

 

[Tala]

Quote:
How is this "Not anybody's fault"? You did nothing to prevent your chicken from escaping your yard (or if you did, you did not do enough). That would make it your fault.

Would it be your neighbors fault if his dogs escaped out of his yard, or is that nobodys fault as well?

I clip wings and do what I can, but this was a half Leghorn chick and it was only half grown (really light) I can't just make them NOT be able to fly at all......

If one of my birds escapes I am fully aware that it might not (probably won't) come back alive. I don't blame the dogs who killed it.

All animal owners face that risk, that's why we try to keep them safe in their own yard. This applies to dogs as well. Theirs are safe as long as they are on their side of the fence.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
UM EXCUSE ME??? Their dogs have been "agressive" towards my birds through the fence for some time now. I had chickens before they moved in and before they got the stupid puppy that they can't control. I did not incide a problem.


I would only shoot them IF THEY WERE IN MY YARD in the process of chasing or killing MY LIVESTOCK --- WHICH IS MY RIGHT.

If a chicken ESCAPES the safety of my yard, then yes, they may be preyed upon and it's not the predator's fault. No hard feelings about that, accidents happen.

IT IS STILL THE OWNER"S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THEIR DOGS ON THEIR SIDE OF THE FENCE OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES (dead dog, or dead chicken, sh*t happens)

While they need to keep their dogs on their side of the fence, you don't seem to willing to take the responsibility that is yours in this situation. If the electric is the way you want to go and you do not believe they are capable of installing it properly you could always offer to come over and put it in on their property for them if they're not opposed to having it there. Otherwise the best you can do is dog proof your side of the fence and hope for the best. Frankly, if you shoot one of their dogs after your bird incited a problem however, you may be looking at issues yourself beyond just poor neighbor relations. The work of installation just may be worth a heck of a lot more than having to deal with that at a later date.

My chicken flies out of my yard and gets killed. Their dog gets out of their yard and gets killed. EXACT same scenario. Fair is fair.​

I agree Tala. The only difference...I would tell them straight up if the dogs come through the fence it is goodbye dog. I always give one clear, plain, barney level warning...and that is that...then the dog gets dropped.

I would try the hot line on your side...make sure you put it low enough to catch a nose or face before they can actually get in. That means more work for you keeping the grass trimmed under it so there are no shorts in the line but a strong enough jolt to the nose will make them think twice about trying to come under the fence.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
How is this "Not anybody's fault"? You did nothing to prevent your chicken from escaping your yard (or if you did, you did not do enough). That would make it your fault.

Would it be your neighbors fault if his dogs escaped out of his yard, or is that nobodys fault as well?

In simple terms she is stating that she does not blame the dogs, the dogs' owners and etc for the chicken being killed when it had left her property. Also, MOST chickens do not and cannot fly over fences...some get lucky and make it over but for the most part, it is not a common thing when you consider the number of chickens we all have...very few of us have flyers.

However, because a chicken flew over the fence does not make it okie dokie for the danged dogs to dig into her yard to get more chickens. Nor does it make it okay for the owners to SO NOTHING to stop it. If they know the dogs are trying to dig into her yard then they ARE obligated to stop it, prevent it, fix it, correct it etc etc if they fail to do so...the Yes it is their fault.