Keeping Chickens Free Range

[fancychick1]

My neighbor behind my house just got a boxer puppy and I have a privacy fence around my yard and the puppy when let out is digging under the fence and chewing at it. He got in the yard the other day and I put him back thru the hole and fixed it. He tried it again so this time I popped him on the nose with a stick when it started picking thru. I have also dumped a bucket of water on him. It's been two days now and I haven't seen him trying anything. I told the neighbor he needs to control him and teach him now when he's young.
I will protect my famy at all cost and I do consider them family. I have six ducks, two turkeys, and twenty-four chickens, plus two dogs of my own. None of my birds have even tried to go out of my fence and my two dogs are in a kennel in the yard and have not tried to dig out and get the chickens. I believe if I can contain 34 animals in my yard without then escaping that he should be able to contain his one puppy.
My dogs usually bark and let me know when he is attempting to get in the yard but that only works if someone is at home to catch him in the act.
It's bad enough that chicken owners have to battle the natural predictors we shouldn't have to protect them from other peoples pets.
Sorry so long just ranting.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you have an ACO, NOW would be a good time to get them involved, before it becomes an issue with the dog killing your flock.

 

[SueT]

Where we live, people shoot dogs that go after poultry or livestock. No questions asked. It's understood that you are responsible for training/controlling your dogs.

 

[Peeps61]

Hi Sue,

It's the same where I live. I have to catch them doing it first though. Predator attacks on my birds usually happen when I'm not home. I've learned through painful experience to keep them locked up if I'm planning to leave or go somewhere for the day. I also leave a low energy consumption light on next to where I keep their coops. That has really cut down on the predators! I do have a rifle and a pistol - if I catch a dog after my birds, it's a dead dog.

 

[Peeps61]

Of course, I should add that I have dogs. They are fenced with a hot wire to keep them from digging out. An occasional chicken may get into the backyard - I can't keep that from happening from time to time. If the bird makes it out alive, then I'm blessed. If not, I have to chalk it up to acceptable losses if I am going to continue to free range my birds. Sometimes they go where they don't need to go.

 

[Attila the Hen]

A topic of interest to me right now. I have been dealing on and off with a neighbor who has a pitbull. The dog is friendly and wants to visit my dogs but it is high energy and races through my fenced yard and into the pond.($100 to replace) It's just a matter of time before it kills one of my flock. I also have cats and she killed one last year.
I was on vacation last week and she arrived again. The pet sitter tied her up outside the fence for 12 hours. I had to do the same when I got home. Finally, Animal Control came and got her. I am within my rights to shoot her but I hate to. It's the owners who are at fault. They are crazy gun totting youth and I am waiting for the fall out.
I don't think they have even missed the dog yet.
I get so angry. My entire small property if fully fenced in but she gets under the fence. My view is that if my animals are outside the fence then they are on their own. Inside my yard they should feel and be safe.

 

[Debby27]

Well hopefully the animal control folks will find a new home for her...

If the owners don't care enough to even go find her then she's better off with someone who actually will care for her & give her a good home. I am sorry she killed your cat though...I know that had to hurt.

and as always you have every right to protect what is yours!@

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

yep... SSS

 

[Big Head Boy]

I turned my crew loose yesterday evening for the first time.

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[Attila the Hen]

I love seeing chickens walking around free. When are we going to adopt free range practices for the egg industry just as other countries already have?