I'm devastated!

[diamonk]

We live on a private road and allow our chickens out during the day in little pyramid pens up by the house. Came home on Tuesday to find 3 dead chickens and 3 missing.

The culprit? A dog from a home a mile or so down the road - it got loose and killed our chickens - didn't even eat them but left a mess! I was prepared for all the other kinds of predators but my neighbor's dog 10 feet from my house i was not expecting.

I am devastated as we raised these from 4 days old and these were our first chickens. I wanted them to enjoy the open space but now i'm scared to ever let my chickens out again. I feel so guilty - i really loved the cute little things - and they trusted us to keep them safe. Just had to get this off my chest with some fellow chicken lovers who will surely understand my grief. Also, maybe someone can tell me whether there is any safe way to allow the chickens to roam?? Their coop area is VERY secure so i'm not worried about that - i just want them to get out and explore during the day!

PS. We recovered 2 and i am thankful for that!

One still missing but it's not looking good - it's been 3 days...

 

[sonew123]

Im so sorry-Ive been there with my own dang dog! He was just a puppy playing :-( have you contacted the neighbors to see why their dog was loose on your property???

 

[Guinea Goonie]

So very sorry. Dogs are the worst predators. They kill until they can not catch and kill more. I personally have ended a few lives and fed a few coyote. I will NOT tolerate a neighbor who refuses to control their animal.

 

[Imp]

so sorry, that stinks.

imp

 

[rebbetzin]

I live in the city. My coop area is very secure. My yard is fenced with a 6f t wooden fence. I have a tractor for them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=8389-pvc-chicken-tractor

But... I'd worry if I go away and leave them in the tractor. We have cats and Hawks here that could get them if they were just left out in the open. Unless I am home I keep them safe in the coop and run area.

Sorry you lost your babies, that has to be such a disheartening thing to come home and find!!

 

[cthrash1]

I'm sorry for your huge loss

It is really hard when you go through the work of raising and getting attached to the babies. We got too comfortable last year after freeranging our very first flock for 6 months(raised them from 3 days old) with no incident, but someone was always home. Until the day before Thanksgiving last year, we were all running to get ready for the meal and no one home that day. Two dogs from God knows where came and killed half my flock and left the carcasses everywhere... Needless to say we don't freerange anymore, other than me letting the girls out once in a great while as I do the chores in their coop and run.

 

[diamonk]

RE: Im so sorry-Ive been there with my own dang dog! He was just a puppy playing :-( have you contacted the neighbors to see why their dog was loose on your property???


My husband is going to pay a visit to them tomorrow - we had to confirm whose dog it was but we now have positive identification. They are lucky it's him and not me coming over!! I know it's not the dog's fault per se but those neighbors are CARELESS and i'm mad.

 

[diamonk]

Quote:
Oh, i'm sorry to hear this but it's also good to hear from someone who has gone through the same exact experience! We too were busy with Thanksgiving prep and that's when it all happened. Thanks for sharing your story!

 

[sonew123]

yeah..I know how you feel..when my neighbors dog ( a black 1 yr old lab) was running around the roads he/she came flying down my driveway and went after my 4 birds ( all I had at the time) The birds went flying everywhere-right in front of me.. The rooster was runing so hard he ran right into his own wall into his coop! The neighbor came down and ye;;ed at his dog and grabbed him right in front of me and never apologized-he walked off DH was on the tractor behind me and saw me tearing off up the driveway-he knew what was coming-when my girls started crying-it was right in front of them too-thats was it! I went over tho their house and went offfff...I told them the next step was court to pay for any damage or death and I will make them pay for every penny I put into those birds. I told them dont be surprised if your dog gets loose again that you never see it again if it steps 1 paw on my property-( it wasnt the dogs fault and I wouldnt have hurt it but the threat had to be made)I had the guys wife in tears I didnt care because I was crying too. needless to say the dog hasnt gotten loose and is chained up to go "out" now-its been about 7 months??? I wish you the best ad hope your neighbors lighten up and get smart...

 

[Mahonri]

Shucks!

Have you talked to the neighbors?