I'm so upset....update :(

[CathyB]

I am so sorry to hear about this. Please do not try to beat yourself up over it. Mistakes happen. You were on your way to your Granddaughter which is very important. I am sorry it was worse than you thought. I was hoping it was better. My prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Katy]

Thanks all....and Gin, believe me I know in comparison to what could have happened with Avery the chickens is nothing. I'm very greatful that she's going to be ok. She couldn't be replaced and I can get more eggs to hatch. It went from being such a good day with her getting to come home to a crappy day. I wish my husband would have been working in the shop instead of hauling cow s**t out of the cow lot...then he may have seen what was going on.

I'm just so mad at myself.....not even the dogs, because they were just being dogs. Now if they had broken into the pen, I'd be in the market for a new puppy this morning because they'd be gone. I really don't think the dogs were even in the pen....there are no feathers around and the chickens that are still left aren't the least bit spooked.

 

[Buster]

Well I for one am looking forward to shipping you those speckled sussex eggs to get you started with some more. I know they don't replace what you lost but they will help.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I'm looking forward to getting them too.

I've actually got some Black Coppers that are suppose to start hatching today. Trying to get some girlfriends for my BC roo.

 

[ginbart]

I read somewhere a husband was mowing the yard and scared the chickens. Could it be when your husband was cleaning the cow S**T it scared them and they are hiding? Or was that to far away? I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful. I try and think of the good things that happen in life. If I have any eggs or babies I would send them to you. I only have RIR's not quite the same as your babies.

 

[ChickNLittle]

Hey Katy

Are you sure the dog got them? Cause I have two rat terriers and they don't even bother my chickens, they are afraid of them. The chickens chase them. Tehe! Be careful as you might think it was her/him, and it was a fox, coon, or something else. Never know.

Carol
ChickNLittle

 

[Katy]

Quote:
yes, I'm sure the dogs got them. I'm sure the other dog was involved too. The rat terrier has a very high prey drive and so does my husky mix. I'm sure the chickens got spooked and once they started running the dogs would have been on them like stink on you-know-what. Like I said before if they had broken into the pen the dogs would be dead this morning, but it was my fault that the gate wasn't latched.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
No he wasn't any where near the chicken pens. I keep going out to check to see if any have come out of the trees or bushes or out buildings, but none have.

 

[rooster-red]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Davaroo]

Sorry to hear that, Katy. Ive been there, an entire flock wiped out by my own beloved dogs.

You have to now teach the dog to avoid his instincts and leave the chickens alone - no easy task. Rat terriers are some of the worst and they now have had their fun. My mom had them and Ive seen them go crazy on chickens.

You have to shore up the defenses, too, with stronger fencing and self closing entry doors. NO chinks can be allowed for the dogs to get in or the birds out. You may need to resort to electric wires around the chicken pens

Some dogs are better than others, but if you intend to keep them, you have a challenge. Once chicken killing gets started, you are in for it, Im afraid.