Lost all 6 of our older babies to 2 stray (I think) dogs

[Casii]

I can't even see straight right now for crying.

First thing this morning they were fine. Then I went out to take them treats and there were 2 enormous white dogs laying by the coop. As I started to walk towards them they ran off. They tore into our coop and then tore apart their cage we had been keeping them in at night until they were comfortable in their new coop area. I found 4 little bodies. 2 still missing and presumed dead.

I can't bear to tell my daughters. I can hardly tell anyone else since all of our friends thought I was some crazy person for wanting chickens in the first place.

 

[Moabite]

I'm so sorry that you all have to experience this. Rebuild the coop while learning from experience. Get some new chicks, you will be glad you did. When it happened to me, I had to finish killing my two favorite ones. This time around, I am not so close to them knowing how temporary chicken lives are.

 

[horsejody]

Ask around the neighborhood. Try to find out who owns the dogs. File a report with the sheriff's dept. Get more chickens. If you find the owners, get restitution. Restitution doesn't make the grief better, but it does give a little bit of satifaction. It also makes it more likely that people will keep their domesticated predators from roaming. Sorry for your loss. I've been through it too.

 

[bakerjw]

It seems to me that dogs killing livestock are taken more seriously than dogs getting pets. A pet gives you love and affection while livestock represents an investment with a return. Just an angle to try for restitution. Definitely file a report with the local law enforcement agency as well as animal control.