Murdered laying hens

[Chieftain]

I'm sorry for your loss, but can you tell us how that dog got into your coop? Are there any lessons that you can share with us so we can all avoid the same thing?

 

[greathorse]

Quote:
I am not big on shooting dogs and hope that my pen will keep them out, but if a dog charged me when I approached and it was killing chickens I would be blazing away as soon as I could get the firearm out.

I had a neighbor dog on my property a fair amount and it really didnt bother my chickens but it did challenge me once on my own property as i was feeding horses. I promptly told the neighbor next time it will be dead. She fixed her hole in the fence straight away. That is just rude. It is one thing in my opinon for a dog to be taken over by instinct and kill chickens quite another for it to consider my property theirs. I have little paitience for bad manners.

 

[19Dawn76]

Here is the letter I am sending

Last night your dog, Jesse, got into my chicken coop while the chickens were asleep and killed 17 chickens. I managed to recover the bodies of most of the chickens but it was dark, cold and raining last night and after searching for almost an hour I gave up. Your dog was observed by my husband and I headed back to your property with a Buff Orphington hen in his mouth. This morning 2 more chickens came out of hiding. The rest were probably victim of the other predators that hunt at night or perhaps the bodies are on your property. I am attaching a bill to this letter along with a copy of the Arkansas Dog Law. I have had legal cause to kill 2 of your dogs since last summer but my desire for neighborhood peace and the love you have for your animals has stopped me. I can no longer over look this. My breeding stock had been depleted and I have no idea how I am going to recoup the loss. Chick season is right around the corner and I am out most of my hens. I am fully prepared to take this to small claims court and if I have to bother with that I will add the cost of raising the birds and the eggs I am out to the total. Your dog also broke a heat lamp in his killing frenzy that I have included in the bill. I did not include the price of a rooster because he was headed for the dinner table.

Laying Hens 20 dollars each

2 Buff Orphingtons
4 Cuckoo Marans
2 Easter Eggers


Young chickens hatched October 2, 2009 15 dollars each

8 Easter Eggers



1 heat lamp at 15 dollars

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
I am not big on shooting dogs and hope that my pen will keep them out, but if a dog charged me when I approached and it was killing chickens I would be blazing away as soon as I could get the firearm out.

I had a neighbor dog on my property a fair amount and it really didnt bother my chickens but it did challenge me once on my own property as i was feeding horses. I promptly told the neighbor next time it will be dead. She fixed her hole in the fence straight away. That is just rude. It is one thing in my opinon for a dog to be taken over by instinct and kill chickens quite another for it to consider my property theirs. I have little paitience for bad manners.

I feel the same way. Hense my little saying at the end of all my posts. But after that....my family and animals come first! It could have been my 4 yr checking for eggs. Then what???

 

[19Dawn76]

Oh and we have a town called Pickles Gap and there is a Skunk Hollar road there.


"We don t rent pigs" was written on a funny sign Gus made for the Hat Creek Cattle Company, when they left for montana he took the sign with them and Call used it for Gus s grave marker when he died.

 

[lockedhearts]

If you sold the eggs, you need to include loss of income from sales. Also repair to the coop/run. I hope your neighbor is responsible and will do the right thing. Sorry for your loss, I know it is hard.
My neighbors dog got in and killed 4 young birds, I couldn't say anything as one of my Jacks was in there too. But her cats coming in my barn is a whole different situation......

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Quote:
I think those numbers are way too low. Check out horsejody's BYC page for further info. She went through a similar experience and her BYC page contains a lot of valuable information for your situation.

Also, hot wires are lifesavers.

 

[Bookworm chick]

Quote:
Good letter!
Keep us posted on his response.

 

[Imp]

I am so sorry Dawn. When I realized that this was your post my heart just fell.

I too think your numbers are low. You should be FULLY reimbursed for the loss.

Imp/Russ- and I think you are due punitive damages for murder!

 

[b.hromada]

Your letter is excellent! Well put! I'm very sorry about your loss of all your birds.

Your neighbor needs to stand up to the plate, and take responsibility for his dog's actions. Bottom line. Best of luck, let us know how it works out. Hoping you find the birds you need to replace those that were lost.