My 4th of July was filled with a few more fireworks than I cared for!
While giving the girls fresh water last night before heading to the river for the fireworks show, my 3 1/2 month RIR pullet Annette flew out the gate before I knew what was happening. I am usually very careful, especially when the dogs are out, but this was one of those "in the blink of an eye" moments. What followed was awful as two of my dogs went after her, pinning her down a few times before I could beat them off with a stick I picked up in the yard. It was total chaos. I was screaming profanities and swinging a large stick like a wild woman....the other girls were squawking....feathers were flying everywhere and my family was standing and watching the scene in disbelief. The neighbors were having a party next door so I have no idea what they thought, lol.
I was finally able to grab Annette and literally toss her in the run while the dogs were being rounded up by my family. Amazingly, she had no bite marks on her. She lost most of the feathers on her back and was bleeding from that, but other than that, she is fine. (I'm hoping they will grow back???) I just held her and rocked her like a baby till we both calmed down. She didn't protest one bit! I was a bit worried about the blood but the other girls seemed to be taking care of her instead of pecking at her, especially my oldest RIR Emmeline. I checked on her last night when I got home, half expecting to find her dead from shock, but they had her in the middle of the lineup on the roost pole. This morning, they all came running for their treats as if nothing happened. The only tell tale sign is the massive piles of feathers in my yard!
I tell you, it was the most scary thing that has happened to me...and her....in long time. My chickens are my pets and to see another pet I dearly love trying to kill them was horrible. I'm angry at the dogs but I also know it's natural, but still! This morning I'm going to be doing some extra predator proofing to the run and enforcing some strict rules for the household about dogs and chickens being out together and I'm going to be extra careful with how I enter and exit the run. This was just too close of call.
Thanks for letting me share and get it off my chest. My family doesn't share my love of the chickens so they don't understand how upsetting this was for me.
While giving the girls fresh water last night before heading to the river for the fireworks show, my 3 1/2 month RIR pullet Annette flew out the gate before I knew what was happening. I am usually very careful, especially when the dogs are out, but this was one of those "in the blink of an eye" moments. What followed was awful as two of my dogs went after her, pinning her down a few times before I could beat them off with a stick I picked up in the yard. It was total chaos. I was screaming profanities and swinging a large stick like a wild woman....the other girls were squawking....feathers were flying everywhere and my family was standing and watching the scene in disbelief. The neighbors were having a party next door so I have no idea what they thought, lol.
I was finally able to grab Annette and literally toss her in the run while the dogs were being rounded up by my family. Amazingly, she had no bite marks on her. She lost most of the feathers on her back and was bleeding from that, but other than that, she is fine. (I'm hoping they will grow back???) I just held her and rocked her like a baby till we both calmed down. She didn't protest one bit! I was a bit worried about the blood but the other girls seemed to be taking care of her instead of pecking at her, especially my oldest RIR Emmeline. I checked on her last night when I got home, half expecting to find her dead from shock, but they had her in the middle of the lineup on the roost pole. This morning, they all came running for their treats as if nothing happened. The only tell tale sign is the massive piles of feathers in my yard!
I tell you, it was the most scary thing that has happened to me...and her....in long time. My chickens are my pets and to see another pet I dearly love trying to kill them was horrible. I'm angry at the dogs but I also know it's natural, but still! This morning I'm going to be doing some extra predator proofing to the run and enforcing some strict rules for the household about dogs and chickens being out together and I'm going to be extra careful with how I enter and exit the run. This was just too close of call.
Thanks for letting me share and get it off my chest. My family doesn't share my love of the chickens so they don't understand how upsetting this was for me.
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Like so many here, I have raised them from day old chicks and have grown very attached to them. They are my pets and the loss of any pet is a very sad event. Maybe I should move the chickens in the house and my family to the coop?? 
e
