Keeping Chickens Free Range

[katatonic123]

Not sure @Free Feather. As in there were 11 and now there are 10. No sign. Still wasn't there when I put them to bed.

 

[alibabba]

Not sure @Free Feather . As in there were 11 and now there are 10. No sign. Still wasn't there when I put them to bed.

Oh darn, hate to hear it. Did she turn up?

That happened at my sweethearts when we had just gotten our first chickens. No sound no nothing, no feathers, just gone. She was a little pullet probably 14 weeks? We figured fox because it came back for another the next week.

 

[katatonic123]

Nope, he hasn't come back. They are only 8 weeks today. I'm surprised that the big roo isn't sticking with them and watching over them but he wanders off from them.

 

[Debby27]

Nope, he hasn't come back. They are only 8 weeks today. I'm surprised that the big roo isn't sticking with them and watching over them but he wanders off from them.

Seems to be the thing to happen this year kat....I almost didn't let mine out today, but the sun came out and I was able to sit outside with them...although think that fox might get a surprise if he/she goes for Marie....that's one mean 'ol hen

 

[S5apiotrowski]

Having a sad day.

The neighbors dog dug a whole underneath the fence, visited, and attacked our free-ranging hens just to watch them die. I found my 3 mo old americana/brahma cross next to the pen with little guineas. We were outside, and when my husband saw the dog he dropped our 8 mo/old Jersey Giant - she has a bit of a limp but we have her in a cool space with vitamins & electrolytes and high protein feed hoping she will recover from the stress of the attack. We are still missing our 6 mo/old double laced barnvelder hen. I found a small clump of her feathers, but not her. I am hoping she got a way and ran off into the woods and will return this evening - yet she more likely went to heaven somewhere in the woods.

It is very sad. We have several acres and enjoy letting the hens free range. I've spent all weekend pounding in stakes preparing the yard for over 1300 feet of welded wire fencing to try to keep dogs out and our birds in.

Our hens in greatest danger today were the ones hanging out by the coop/nesting boxes. The coop door was wide open and the dog went right in.

I am beyond angry. We have not had too many problems. A pair of stray dogs claimed a hen this winter - but this was far less upsetting than the most recent rampage. I was going to go confront the neighbors - my husband asked me not to as it won't do anything and the dog will just be back.

All prayers for the Giant's recovery are welcome. Also praying we find the Barnvelder (or she come's home!)

 

[dpenning]

Having a sad day.

The neighbors dog dug a whole underneath the fence, visited, and attacked our free-ranging hens just to watch them die. I found my 3 mo old americana/brahma cross next to the pen with little guineas. We were outside, and when my husband saw the dog he dropped our 8 mo/old Jersey Giant - she has a bit of a limp but we have her in a cool space with vitamins & electrolytes and high protein feed hoping she will recover from the stress of the attack. We are still missing our 6 mo/old double laced barnvelder hen. I found a small clump of her feathers, but not her. I am hoping she got a way and ran off into the woods and will return this evening - yet she more likely went to heaven somewhere in the woods.

It is very sad. We have several acres and enjoy letting the hens free range. I've spent all weekend pounding in stakes preparing the yard for over 1300 feet of welded wire fencing to try to keep dogs out and our birds in.

Our hens in greatest danger today were the ones hanging out by the coop/nesting boxes. The coop door was wide open and the dog went right in.

I am beyond angry. We have not had too many problems. A pair of stray dogs claimed a hen this winter - but this was far less upsetting than the most recent rampage. I was going to go confront the neighbors - my husband asked me not to as it won't do anything and the dog will just be back.

All prayers for the Giant's recovery are welcome. Also praying we find the Barnvelder (or she come's home!)

I'm sad to read of your troubles. I'm not sure I agree with your husband, although I don't know that confront is the right word either. I do think it is important you make them aware of what happened, if they don't know they can't begin to do anything to stop it from happening again if they wanted to!

 

[duluthralphie]

I'm sad to read of your troubles. I'm not sure I agree with your husband, although I don't know that confront is the right word either. I do think it is important you make them aware of what happened, if they don't know they can't begin to do anything to stop it from happening again if they wanted to!

I have to agree on telling the people.....But I would mention the dog will not live to do it a third time.

 

[gander007]

Having a sad day.

The neighbors dog dug a whole underneath the fence, visited, and attacked our free-ranging hens just to watch them die. I found my 3 mo old americana/brahma cross next to the pen with little guineas. We were outside, and when my husband saw the dog he dropped our 8 mo/old Jersey Giant - she has a bit of a limp but we have her in a cool space with vitamins & electrolytes and high protein feed hoping she will recover from the stress of the attack. We are still missing our 6 mo/old double laced barnvelder hen. I found a small clump of her feathers, but not her. I am hoping she got a way and ran off into the woods and will return this evening - yet she more likely went to heaven somewhere in the woods.

It is very sad. We have several acres and enjoy letting the hens free range. I've spent all weekend pounding in stakes preparing the yard for over 1300 feet of welded wire fencing to try to keep dogs out and our birds in.

Our hens in greatest danger today were the ones hanging out by the coop/nesting boxes. The coop door was wide open and the dog went right in.

I am beyond angry. We have not had too many problems. A pair of stray dogs claimed a hen this winter - but this was far less upsetting than the most recent rampage. I was going to go confront the neighbors - my husband asked me not to as it won't do anything and the dog will just be back.

All prayers for the Giant's recovery are welcome. Also praying we find the Barnvelder (or she come's home!)

Oh do I know your pain as your story sounds like some of the problems I have had here more then once and once is all to often as you know ...

Hope everything works out for you and from many years of experience it rarely works out talking to neighbors and yes it is sad to say but you do need to find out what your local laws allow you to do to protect your livestock or pets is, and livestock laws are normally lethal when it comes to predators but something you will need to think about if the owners of the refuse to control their pet's ....


Just in the last month I downed one bob-cat and a domestic house cat just two days apart ya nothing good but there are deeds that need to be dune at times to preserve your livestock ......







Mr. Bob-Cat The Horrible

The fence in the back ground goes all the way around my property and yes predators will work to get in and the fence will bring you a lot of protection under the law if you need to put a predator down in the protection of your livestock ......


















gander007

 

[S5apiotrowski]

I have to agree on telling the people.....But I would mention the dog will not live to do it a third time.

We found the Barnvelder hen. I did put her in a box and went to meet the neighbor -- of course he didn't want to see my dead hen and would "try" to keep the dog under control. I mentioned my husband was very upset and that he is apt to kill dogs attacking and killing our livestock. The neighbor said if we killed his dog he would come over and we would have to kill him.

I am checking local laws. I am wondering if I should report things to the county animal control office.

We live on agricultural land. There is a nice subdivision behind us (where the dog came from). There are all kinds of dog prints near all of our cages/coops. I believe more chickens survived because they were free-ranging. The ones he got were trapped against fences.

The Giant appears to be okay.

 

[duluthralphie]

We found the Barnvelder hen. I did put her in a box and went to meet the neighbor -- of course he didn't want to see my dead hen and would "try" to keep the dog under control. I mentioned my husband was very upset and that he is apt to kill dogs attacking and killing our livestock. The neighbor said if we killed his dog he would come over and we would have to kill him.

I am checking local laws. I am wondering if I should report things to the county animal control office.

We live on agricultural land. There is a nice subdivision behind us (where the dog came from). There are all kinds of dog prints near all of our cages/coops. I believe more chickens survived because they were free-ranging. The ones he got were trapped against fences.

The Giant appears to be okay.

Sounds like someone you want to talk to the Sheriff about. In Minnesota if a dog runs loose and kills or harasses animals you have the right to shoot it. I live in the county on in an area zoned agricultural with developments scattered around also. A person whose dog killed your birds should be humble and apologetic and not belligerent and threatening. Not too bright that one, IMHO.