My dog just killed our chicks

[DawnSusan]

I have a Labrador who broke through our hutch and killed our beautiful seven week old chicks. Two were injured and I had to finish the job.

Two Buff Orpingtons and two Araucanas.

I thought it was solid but I had a determined dog. I was home when it happened, too. I feel terrible.

I know it was instinct but I really hate my dog right now.

One of the Araucana's was my daughter's pride and joy -- it was one of the prettiest, plumpest little hens we have ever seen. She sat on her shoulder like a parrot, and was the friendliest little thing.

I am just sick over it, especially since it was my fault, even though the darn dog jumped a fence and broke into a hutch. I should have had a better eye on my dog.

Anyone want a purebred English lab?

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I'm sorry you lost your birds. If the dog jumped the fence its not your fault. She will need lots and lots of training.

 

[hen-thusiast]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Our biggest fear is our two dogs getting the chickens. We've been slowly working with our dogs and a shock collar on a low setting. I agree - if the dog jumped the fence it isn't your fault.

 

[ChickBond 007]

I have a german shepherd that has killed one white silkie and one mallard drake in the past 2 months. I also felt a great deal of hatred for him in the days that followed the killings.
But, these birds were free ranging and were mimicking play (the run/chase game) and it was his instinct to catch the running bird. I realized that I was the fault in the situation by placing the birds and dog together in an unsupervised/ uncontrolled situation. Your birds were fenced, a much different scenario as the dog is causing actual destruction. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[kyliesmommax5]

Oh NO!! I am so sorry! That is one of my fear for mine! It was instinct for your dog but it sure dont make it any better!

And it isnt your fault!

 

[Blueline29]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Emzyyy]

Im sorry about your chickens and dog but I really do not think you should get rid of him. Just teach him better, tie one of those chickens around his neck. Just natural you know?? Next time you get a dog I suggest a puppy so you can train him from a early age. Our Boston Terrier gets flogged by the rooster and my dog ignores him and walks away or if I am there sometimes I let him play with him but they never hurt each other.

 

[hikerchick]

I am so sorry. It is not your fault. It is exactly the reason I said no when my daughter wanted to get a lab to replace our Boston Terrier, who passed recently. I said - "no bird dogs." It is instinct for that type of dog; there is nothing you could have done.

 

[Casey3043]

I know that nothing we can say will make you feel better. One of my dogs killed a hen a year ago. It was my fault for not checking the gap under the garden gate. The hen came under the gate into the back yard, no doubt with her eye on that lovely green grass. The chickens have a large area, 30 X 40 feet, and during the winter they have the garden also which gives them another 40 X 60 feet. But of course, they had to go exploring. They had to squeeze under that gate, which had about a 5 inch space underneath. Electric fence on the yard side, to keep the dog from digging under, but when the hens came into THEIR territory, it was playtime. It's just that the play got too rough for the hen.

The dogs had been interested in the hens, and probably somewhat jealous, for a while, but I had been extremely careful UNTIL......I slipped up and it cost a hen her life. I had looked at the gap, and decided the hens could not fit through it. WRONG!! I still regret it.

So, live and learn. Now you know what your dog can get through or over or under. Make a fortress next time.

Hugs,

CASEY

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I am so sorry!

It is always sad to lose one of your birds to ANY predator whether it is a pet dog or a wild animal! It is most dog's instincts to get a bird... not your fault.