I'm just sick, the dog ate my 2 chicks.

[Dee26]

I had my 20 3 day old ducklings in a massive deep plastic box with a mesh on top. One of my cats managed to get his paw in and swipe one during the day and killed it within minutes when my back was turned. My dog tried to stop him.
i was devastated.
Needless to say, I changed the type of mesh I used so he couldn’t get his paw in to get the others. Bad cat.

What type of mesh did you use? Diamond lath works pretty good. If a creature claws or scratches, or licks it, they'll stop because it's kinda sharp.

 

[DebbieMarler]

I wonder if this poster is a troll. Because who really would shoot a puppy for doing what is natural, whether it's an expensive puppy or not, and obviously not keeping the chick in a secure enclosure from harm.

My dog that ate the chicks is a smart dog. It was my fault. As a child, my father would have killed the dog. I think we live in an age of more compassion for animals in general. Maybe if we'd had went hungry due to animals doing what animals do we might have less compassion. We are lucky to live in a wealthy country where hunger hasn't jaded us. Let's let all have their opinions because we don't know where each man comes from. Thanks for all the kind posts. Much appreciated!

 

[Dee26]

My dog that ate the chicks is a smart dog. It was my fault. As a child, my father would have killed the dog. I think we live in an age of more compassion for animals in general. Maybe if we'd had went hungry due to animals doing what animals do we might have less compassion. We are lucky to live in a wealthy country where hunger hasn't jaded us. Let's let all have their opinions because we don't know where each man comes from. Thanks for all the kind posts. Much appreciated!

Yes, there are some old timers who have that mentality. Once an animal kills something, I believe it will always have that bent. If we keep our animals safe and confined properly, and we know where the culprits (our sweet dogs, cats, etc.) are at all times, our animals should be okay. As much as we like to think our furr faced friends are the smartest, most compassionate and understanding, they are animals with certain instincts! Can't fault them for that!

 

[DebbieMarler]

I am so lucky that my dog has zero prey drive. I knew this from when he was a puppy and I introduced him to some chickens and he just nudged his nose towards them smelling them. My chickens know who he is, and when another dog visits, they all warn each other of the uncertain intruder.

My dog has shown interest in the huge developing bunny population, but I've been able to correct him and tell him to stop whenever he heads their direction. Ordinarily, I might be ok with him hunting the occasional rabbit (to keep the population under control), but I don't want him getting carried away and following them across the road if they take that direction. Now, he just takes a few steps in their direction. I honestly think he just wants to say hello

A lot of is is teaching and vigilance. I taught him to be scared of snakes as well and now if one appears, he just watches it.

I guess I am lucky and I definitely would not recommend this direction without a lot of training and trust building. There is a benefit to having a dog around my free rangers as he will protect his chicken buddies.

My grandson new puppy has zero prey instinct. He's just a mutt but one less dog to worry about. The border collie and the squeaky toys. If anything we made it worse with all his squeaking toys.It doesn't help he's older either.

 

[Dee26]

I am so lucky that my dog has zero prey drive. I knew this from when he was a puppy and I introduced him to some chickens and he just nudged his nose towards them smelling them. My chickens know who he is, and when another dog visits, they all warn each other of the uncertain intruder.

My dog has shown interest in the huge developing bunny population, but I've been able to correct him and tell him to stop whenever he heads their direction. Ordinarily, I might be ok with him hunting the occasional rabbit (to keep the population under control), but I don't want him getting carried away and following them across the road if they take that direction. Now, he just takes a few steps in their direction. I honestly think he just wants to say hello

A lot of is is teaching and vigilance. I taught him to be scared of snakes as well and now if one appears, he just watches it.

I guess I am lucky and I definitely would not recommend this direction without a lot of training and trust building. There is a benefit to having a dog around my free rangers as he will protect his chicken buddies.

I've had little dogs (Dachshunds) and they have all passed now. I moved to the country approx 5 years ago, and was introduced to a different mentality when it comes to dogs in the country. It's too soon for me to think about getting a dog (or two) since my heart has just not healed yet. I have plans for a huge dog run area. I was warned by my neighbors when I first moved here, that if a dog is seen running the deer, or roaming on people's property, they could be shot. I've heard some dogs roaming around, and actually heard one in distress recently (my husband and I got our rifles, looking for the poor thing, but I think we were too late). There are lions here, and other critters that are looking for a tasty meal, so safety of my pets will be first and foremost. I appreciate the time it took for you to train and control your dogs...yes, it does take vigilance. It doesn't sound like "luck" to me as far as your dogs behavior. It sounds like you put a lot of time and care into your animals. Your name "spiceholler" is unique. Are you in the East? I'm in the PNW, and where we live I've only seen Garter snakes. I'm still going to train my dogs to stay away from them, because when we travel, I don't think they can tell the diff between a harmless snake, and a rattler. The best to you and yours!

 

[Farmboy20]

Well I came home from work to find nothing in the brooder. The border collie Got in the house, my grandson left the door open on accident. I guess I didn't deserve them, so much for being a chicken mom. I've got 22 in the incubator, it won't happen twice. I'm58, I should know better than To leave them unguarded in a cardboard box hoping To leave them unguarded in a cardboard box hoping a door would keep them safe.

That really sucks. At least you have more coming! How old were the chicks?

 

[DebbieMarler]

That really sucks. At least you have more coming! How old were the chicks?

Not quite 2 days

 

[Geena]

Just had a Belgian Malinois puppy kill and eat half of my favorite new Chick.
The Chick that came running to me when I came home.
I buried the chick and shot the dog.
No more heart break from the POS, it was his 2nd time going after the chickens in two months.

His Mom is great with the chickens. I won't take any chances because I also have 3 Macaw Parrots. The oldest I got at 10 weeks old, she was 36 two weeks ago.
I grew up on a farm and animals that kill other animals are put down, including neighbors animals that come on your property and kill.

You had a Malinois puppy, a breed that is specifically bred to have a very high prey drive, and then you shot it because it had a high prey drive. Wow.

 

[Anime2lover]

Well I came home from work to find nothing in the brooder. The border collie Got in the house, my grandson left the door open on accident. I guess I didn't deserve them, so much for being a chicken mom. I've got 22 in the incubator, it won't happen twice. I'm58, I should know better than To leave them unguarded in a cardboard box hoping To leave them unguarded in a cardboard box hoping a door would keep them safe.

I left our chick coop open by a cident and let my bird hating dog out... needless to say, only four out of 22 chicks lived. Two were unaccounted for entirely.... we suspect luther had a delicious lunch.

 

[Missyschix13]

I'm so sorry that happened! Don't be too hard on yourself. It was an accident. We can plan a million times over but sometimes we can't control everything. Little kids are honestly the biggest wild card!