:( Just joined and now tragedy

[pegbo]

So sorry to hear about your chick. Here in my county of NY we have a leash law, and yes it's for rural areas also. You must have your dog contained or controled or you're fined. It comes in handy!!!

 

[mudhen]

I agree with everyone's sentiments here.
I too own dogs. But as a resposible pet owner, make sure they can't get out of their dog yard.
When I see dogs wandering it really makes me angry.
You can't blame the dog, its just their insticts. The blame is on the owner, and I'd say its 99.9999999%!
Forcing the owner of un-leashed/wandering dogs to pay for damages, reporting them and your loss to the local animal control, and protecting your flock/pets/family from repeat offenders by trapping and delivering to local authorities or, if the situation demands it, elimitating the predator, may not make for a happy neighbor, but will drive home the point of resposibility to someone who is clearly not capable of owning dogs.

 

[SandraChick]

darned PEOPLE! (I really wanted to use explatives, but this is a family board!

)

my personal saga continues....see post above

SO I found out the owners came and got the pitbull from the pound on monday....guess who was here this morning!!!! And the the black lab cross was nudging my fence--testing it!!!!!! This is AFTER the animal control officer told them if those dogs get loose one more time, they'll be up on nuicance charges and will have to go to court to get the dogs back (which the judge won't do unless they can PROVE they have a secure area for them ---hard to do).

SO I called animal control, and they caught at least the pitbull, and trying to catch the labcross...We'll see what happens.

I MEAN PEOPLE....if you're dog keeps getting loose....TIE THEM UP!!!!!
I don't blame the dogs....I blame the people.

Sandra

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

I have two labs that are chicken friendly, I feel very fortunate they are like their protectors. And the fact that my property is enclosed but occasionally a predator makes an appearance and either the dogs capture it or it is chased off, a lot of times I believe their scent is a deterrent. My dogs have been use for bird hunting but are well behaved when around other animals.

 

[shemarie]

I have to say, I think sometimes that people think that dogs are people to, I know several people who have told me that to fence a dog or keep them on a leash all the time is cruel..they need to be free. Well, free dogs are the ones you see on the road dead. It is irresponsible to let your animals run. I contain all of mine...although the chickens do get to the front yard as often as they can. (They found the bird feeders) But that is going to be remedied soon....thanks for all your wonderful comments and support. I m getting 2 new chicks tomorrow....any ideas how to introduce them to the other girls?

 

[SandraChick]

shemarie-

SO glad you're getting some new chicks....

You may choose to quaranteen them before introducing them to your flock-- suggested time period is usually 30days.

If they are chicks, you may want to wait to introduce them to the flock until they are the same/similar size to your current hens

two common ways of introduction
1. put them on the roost at night while others are sleeping-
2. separate them in a way that they can see eachother for a few days to a few weeks... then take the partition out one day.
3. start with two and then the evening before taking the partition down, do #1

good luck
Sandra

 

[54Belair]

There is a solution that is used by a lot of poultry owners and I realize I will be "flamed" into eternity for mentioning it.

Cindy, guidence here

should I
mention the three s soultion and what it means or should I just go back to my deep dark corner of where I have been and quietly watch the fun???????
Im trying to be nice.......

 

[SandraChick]

you won't get flamed! triple "S" for those who don't know is shoot, shovel, and shut-up. very often people don't do the third "S" very well, and then get in trouble.

Not an option for me cuz I have too many neighbors and I live next to an airport- so any reports of gunfire in this area means a dozen sheriffs/hwy patrol here in no time!!!!

We periodically put a live trap next to our coop...in Cali, it's illegal to move or release skunks and foxes...due to rabies issues. So when I catch skunks, I''m required by law to dispatch it- which I faithfully do! Haven't caught anything else besides my own cats and one of my neighbors cats which get shook up in the cage just a bit and then let go. Never trapped those kitties again! Any predator (except raptors) is dispatched here. Now if only I could have used my rifle the other day on those dogs! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!


Sandra

 

[chickbea]

I'm not sure what the laws are anywhere else, but around here there is no need for the last two S's. Any dog or wolf-hybrid that is seen chasing or killing agricultural livestock can be shot on sight. You then report to the dog warden, who picks up the carcass and delivers it to the owner. You don't need to get involved with the unpleasantries with the owners at all (unless you want to!)
I don't have a gun, and never thought I could kill anything, but the hideous day I saw my sweet little NHR, Mae, hanging out of a big dog's mouth, I think I could have done it. All I had were some rocks (which I used - and relished every yelp!), and my own dog, who pulled a good portion of the other dog's ear off. She got a big treat with dinner that night for her valiant defense of the homestead!

 

[MTchick]

I object to the idea of shooting someone's pet without fair warning. Here is my opinion; if a dog harasses and kills your chickens, you should call the warden/police/whatever and pursue actions against the dog and the owner. If that owner then later allows it to get loose a second time- or fails to contain it at all in the first place- and the problem occurs again, you are in your right to shoot it. That person was fairly warned and you are very unlikely to encounter resistance from the law regarding your actions!

This, to me, is what I would want as a dog owner- one (potentially freak) occurence of chasing chickens does not seem sufficient to permit killing a potentially treasured companion. Two occurences and you have a irresponsible dog owner that clearly is not looking out for their interest, your interest, or the interest of their dog's life.

-MTchick