Lost most of my chickens today...

[sred98]

Quote:
No. Around here, dogs "go missing" all the time when they go onto other people's property. My neighbor had his .22 out and was going to help me. I do worry about retaliation on my animals, but if they touch a horse, that is a H-U-G-E problem around here. They knew exactly what I was going to do if the dog comes back. I am in a rural area, lots of livestock. This is the law. I have witnesses if anything is ever said. Police only come out here if someone is dead, or for a mandatory evacuation (Fire). I wouldn't make them mad about coming out for something that I can settle myself, KWIM?

The dog is GOING to die. I may not have gotten it today, or maybe not tomorrow, but it IS going to happen. If I don't do it, my neighbor will.

Shelly

 

[cw]

it seems the sss method should be considered!


shoot

shovel

and shut up


then no more dog

 

[old mill poultry]

This happened to me last feb. A pack of coons killed over 30 of my chickens, of course my best of the flock. I was absolutely devastated! I would be so totally mad at my neighbor, did you confront him with the evidence. I really am so sorry and know how you feel.

 

[Jeff9118]

That really sucks. I would get out a magazine and do a chick order and hand them the toal to replace the birds. Keep in mind though that some dogs are just chicken killers so take this as a learning experience and dog proof you coops and cages. If you dont this will continue to happen and if not a neighbors dog then a stray. Dont take this the wrong way but you are responsible for your birds safety. So if the dog gets loose and comes back it needs not be able to get into them. Keep in mind that chicken wire is like silly string to a dog and is only used to keep birds in and offers little protection against most predators. I hope the missing ones return. Good luck and take measures to protect them in the future.

 

[CityClucks]

Oh Shelly. I've been out of town and just saw your post. I am so very sorry!! Want me to bring you something back from POOPS?

Beth

 

[sred98]

Well, no survivors came out of hiding.

Last night when they came back down, there was a second dog, much bigger, so maybe he carried them off? When I went up there yesterday, I looked in their yard for chickens, but didn't see any. Of course, I was still really upset, and trying not to cry when I was talking to them, so I couldn't see really well.

Everyone was really quiet today, they barely picked at their morning rolls. My BR that survived the attack is still alive, so that is encouraging. I made him some karo water last night and he is drinking it. He finished the gatorade last night. I've got him in a tub in my bathroom. His poo is runny and white, though. Kind of like the white part of their poo, without the gray/black. I am guessing it is stress-related. Last night it looked a little bloody, so I am glad there is no more of that.


Beth-thanks so much for the offer. I was hoping to have a lot of good egglayers this year - BO, BR, and Wellies. Now I only have 1 Wellie and maybe one BR. Right now I am so discouraged that I just don't know what I am going to do.

My BO and sexlinks were about a month out of laying.

I just don't even know if I want to replace them right now. I am so sick of having the brooders going. I had just moved the little ones out of the brooders.

On the upside, last night we heard gunshots pretty late. I am wondering if my neighbor saw the dogs coming back down and shot them.

I had my gun with me when I went out today, but didn't see them. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Shelly

 

[sred98]

Just lost my BR. He looked like he was having a seizure, then his neck bent under his chest and a horrible smelling dark liquid started pouring out.

Now, every single chicken in this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=158350 is dead, except for the last one. It is just heartbreaking.

Out of 15 babies, 6 left. Most of those were Wellsummer pullets. They were just too sweet, they wouldn't run away.

Out of 10 adults, I have 3 left.

Amazingly, the guineas made it. Everyone had just started roosting the night before, and they flew into the rafters of the barn.

Anyway...that's that.

Shelly

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
No. Around here, dogs "go missing" all the time when they go onto other people's property. My neighbor had his .22 out and was going to help me. I do worry about retaliation on my animals, but if they touch a horse, that is a H-U-G-E problem around here. They knew exactly what I was going to do if the dog comes back. I am in a rural area, lots of livestock. This is the law. I have witnesses if anything is ever said. Police only come out here if someone is dead, or for a mandatory evacuation (Fire). I wouldn't make them mad about coming out for something that I can settle myself, KWIM?

The dog is GOING to die. I may not have gotten it today, or maybe not tomorrow, but it IS going to happen. If I don't do it, my neighbor will.

Shelly

It is still to your benefit to file a police or Sheriff's report. When you start to total up your actual losses and the cost of replacing the birds you will realize that they owe you more than you think. If they don't pay restitution willingly, you may have to go to small claims court. I went through that with my neighbor, and that little piece of paper from the Sheriff's Dept stating that it was at least reported was very helpful. If it's not reported the judge just thinks that it must not have been that big of a deal if you didn't even report it.

BTW, I carry the Judge now too.

ETA: If you don't want to annoy law enforcement by having them come out, go to them. Just fill out a report right there in their office. That way if they don't want to take action they don't have too, but you will still have a report. Yes, you can demand that a report be filed. It is your right. If you think they will be upset about you filing one, kill them with kindness and bring them a box of cupcakes or doughnuts when you go in.

 

[sred98]

I don't know the name of the owner. It's the neighbor's son's girlfriend.

I also don't know the address. Will that matter? Will I need to have the list of how much replacement on them will be? What info do I need?

Shelly

 

[jjthink]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR - these kinds of horrible happenings make me crazy! Irresponsible people causing terror and death to innocent beings - the victrola needle is stuck - happens over and over and over again. I don't think we've yet gotten anywhere much in evolving people to be more responsible.

Jody has had a lot of experience with this kind of tragedy - do follow her advice.

Maximum penalty is the only way to truly honor the lives that were snuffed out. It doesn't bring the fallen back but it attempts to show that they mattered.

Search far and wide for the missing ones - they may be too injured or scared to find you.

Rescue Remedy for those traumatized but still alive. Electrolytes too. Hydration however possible - little cut up berries, grapes, whatever works.

As to the notion so often stated - chickens can be replaced - if we could ask any who died I think they would beg to differ. If we used the theory that something is replaceable just because there are more of them out there, then the same holds true for any of us. After all, there is an epidemic of humans on the planet. No!!, we'd say - we're all unique and irresplaceable! The same holds true for other beings as well. They want to live just as much as the rest of us.

I am so sad for all of your beuatiful birds that were killed or injured and I hope fervently that those still alive will make it. Keep us posted Shelly.

JJ