Lost 4 chickens today. In shock.

[Arelwood]

You should definitely file suit.

 

[NightingaleJen]

I am so sorry that you lost your father in law, then experienced this. Very sorry.

 

[sourland]

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this. Temporarily you might want to install a mirror as 'company' for Pepper.

 

[springvalley123]

The two survivors are now dead. One was euthanized and the other had surgery but died shortly after I brought her home. So now there is only one hen left of the flock - Pepper - who is desperately lonely. I am not ready to think about more hens right now. Any advise for Pepper's well being all alone is welcome. She was pretty traumatized Wednesday but yesterday she actually laid an egg so that is a good sign. Thank you all for condolences. Tough week. Animal control identified the owner of the dogs and they are returned to him with a citation. It is now up to me if I want to file a civil suit. Very unsure what to do.

That is so sad, and maddening about the owner getting a mere citation. I wonder if a small claim court would be a possibility? Less ordeal than a regular court, but it wouldn't touch the distress you've been put through. So sorry for your losses. For the survivor, how about a mirror? maybe a friend with chicks, even ducks, could keep her for a while so you can sort things out? they could keep her in a see but don't touch?

 

[McChooky]

I learned some dogs can tear metal off the side of a building, destroy wood floors not to mention bend chain link fences with their teeth and climb 6 ft fences to get out. Chickens definitely aren't safe around an unsupervised untrained dogs .It would require a special fence to keep a pair of Rottweiler's in or out nonetheless the owners are 100% liable and I would pursue it.They knew what their dogs are capable of. Sorry for your loss!

 

[silverback]

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this. Temporarily you might want to install a mirror as 'company' for Pepper.

Good idea on the mirror. I will do that. Also looking into getting recorded chicken vocalizations! She is not eating well. Thank you.

 

[silverback]

By the way, the house the dogs were traced to is owned by a Grammy nominated musician. He is not the person who the report states is dog owner/responsible but hard to tell. I am trying to make contact before hiring a lawyer. North Carlolina law definitely holds owners of chicken killing dogs liable but I would have to file suit.

 

[Acre4Me]

Good idea on the mirror. I will do that. Also looking into getting recorded chicken vocalizations! She is not eating well. Thank you.

Sorry for your loss! I’d vote for considering filing suit - find out what’s involved. But the owners might settle before that.

Good idea finding chicken vocalizations. I’ve used some YouTube videos of momma hens and baby chicks talking when eggs in the incubator have pipped. Playing the recording encourages the pipped chicks and they work on getting out and chirp in response. The problem with YouTube videos is finding ones where the humans aren’t talking nonstop or there isn’t a lot of extraneous noise.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I am sorry, it is rough. We had a neighbors 2 huskies (150lbs each) that were 1.5 years old try and attack our hens. Feathers lost, but luckily DH was home. When owners confronted and were asked not to let their dogs roam. They claimed the dogs were just puppies and having fun.

 

[silverback]

Yes, it is unbelievable how irresponsible some dog owners can be. I am still trying to contact the owner. Went to Animal Control again today and they were helpful but this is very difficult. Thank you everyone who has responded to this. Poor Pepper is hardly eating - but she laid an egg today!