Killer Dog - Heartbroken

[honeydoll]

I am so sorry you lost them all. That is too bad. And so nice of you to be understanding of the dog's nature. But what a loss. I understand your love for your girls, I just love mine and take such pride in taking care of them. It makes me feel silly and my sister says if she hears another story about my chickens she'll scream. They just don't get it. But we all do. Again sorry.

 

[NonnasBabies]

So sorry for your loss!!

*Hugs*
Missi

 

[twentynine]

Weren't your birds protected? By fencing?

As stated the dog was following his nature. It is up to us as the bird owner to keep our property protected and secure.

Sorry you lost your birds, if you get some more, you may want to consider upgrading security.

I worry about protecting my birds constantly.

 

[loralei]

Terribly sorry for your loss!

Godspeed
Laura

 

[amarook]

I feel your pain. This past summer my my neighbor's dog busted into my coop and killed 9 of my chickens. Then a month later it got loose again and killed on of my ducks, and a a japanese bantam Roo. (Tehy were out in the yard.)

(hugs)

There's no other way to slice it, it SUCKS! Irresponsible dog owners tick me off.

I bought them a new collar for that dog so that it wouldn't get loose anymore. They had a choke chain on him and they were clipping the lead to the wrong ring on the collar! DUH!

We also had the dog warden come and talk to them to make sure they understood how serious this is. Warden told them if I made a big enough stink they could fine them $250 for loose dog, and take him away to be put down.

I know how you feel about worrying about protecting them. I was super paranoid for the longest time. In fact if I hear someone outside calling a dog I immediately go out to see what's going on.

Thankfully the neighbors have been careful since, and there have been no more incidents.

 

[gsim]

Sorry to hear of it too. You could use the time to re-think your housing/pen arrangement. I just did an oversized pen at 2000 sq ft. 6 ft welded wire 2x4 fence set in cement. Fence charger (5-mile capacity, 4 KV) with 4 strands of hot wire. 24" tall roll of chicken wire around inside at ground level keeps their inquisitive chickie heads inside. Even so, I still drop down the guillotine doors at dusk just in case. Then I have to go out at dawn to let them out, but it gives me an excuse to check out everything and look for eggs too.

With all of that, I am still afraid of coons. I am going to keep a trap baited at all times. Hawks and owls no concern due to large resident population of crows. Our 24 girls are 17 weeks now so not as likely to get snatched by an airborne pred. We do have coyotes too, and will not let our dog out at night because she is too small. Wish my old pit bull had not died. He was 12.

I am a man, but still, I am attached to a few of the chooks that have made efforts to be friendly. They are as pets to me.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Quote:
Absolutely!

 

[big red chicken]

Sorry to hear that it happen to me about a week ago. I'm still looking at the fence as if they will come back. This is what help me heal........I took the eggs they layed and I'm hatching them. Only thing I have to secure the fence more. $$$ a lil low but I'll some how get it done.

 

[RockHouseRanch]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your wonderful kindness and replies. It is nice to know that there's good people like you out there... Of course, as some of you mentioned, now I am questioning myself over security issues. As I think all of you know though, security is always a problem, no matter what you do. I could lock everything down like Fort Knox with all manner of things to keep predators out, but as we all know sometimes the expense and work involved can be prohibitive. That being said if (okay, *when* - we all know that no matter how I'm feeling this moment, the thought of a chicken-free farm yard is unthinkable) I do start over I will take additional steps to hopefully ensure that this never happens again...

Thanks again everyone - you're fantastic.

 

[HippieChickens]

My heart goes out to you, RockHouseRanch. Ignore those unsympathetic coworkers - you've got plenty of understanding shoulders to lean on here at BYC.