My dogs killed more chickens. >:'(

[antrimfarm]

OK. here it is. I have two dogs, Lily age 7 and Luke age 2. Lily is a terrier mix, Luke is a bluetick beagle. They are both very much a part of our family. We had Lily before we even had kids. Luke is an absolute, snuggly darling.

Both of them have begun killing chickens. The first time the chickens were free ranging and the dogs decided out of the blue to kill them. Second time they were semi-supervised ( I thought I had scared it out of them. Obviously I was wrong.) Third time they killed two through the fence of the coop. They have now begun pouncing on the rabbit tractors we keep our grow-out meat rabbits in as well.

My husband is about to give up on both dogs. He wants to get rid of them both. Training has been attempted but was unsuccessful. I simply don't have the time to dedicate to it. I have two small children, one of which is special needs, as well as being a part-time student.

What can I do to keep my chickens and rabbits secure enough to convince my husband to reconsider? Is there a way to keep my dogs away from my chickens altogether? We live in a suburban neighborhood on 1/3 of an acre, probably one third of that is our fenced in back yard where the chickens, rabbits,garden and kids play area are. We are at this time unable to afford a fence for the front yard that would be visually appropriate for the type of neighborhood we are in.

I need help. Judgement or rudeness will not be acknowledged.

Please help me! If you have any ideas or suggestions I would be most grateful!

 

[gander007]

Do you see the small cage wire in the background I would put it
around the bottom portion of the chicken run and maybe even
some tin sheets so the dogs can't see them ....

 

[SAHchickenmom]

Both breeds you have are hunting dogs. Now that they have tasted that blood they will never give up! I had this happen with my dachshunds. You need to get rid if one or the other.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If you are determined to keep all these animals you have got to keep them separated at all times. Since you are unable to construct an enclosure at this time, for the time being, all outdoor time for the dogs needs to be ON LEASH and with 100% control. This gives you direct control over the dogs and the ability to prevent any contact between canine and fowl or rabbits. This may be the reality of your life long-term if you remain unable to construct appropriate containment to keep dogs and other animals completely separate to allow for off leash activities for your dogs at home. Because of this, I would encourage you to find other places you can provide your dogs some off-leash activity time to burn off energy and provide lots of on leash activity (both physical and mental exercise). Was the failed training home/self-done or have you worked with a professional?
Personally, I would be looking at giving up one or the other (dogs or fowl/rabbits) because the situation as it is is fair to none of them.

 

[ChaoSS]

You weren't terribly clear about the whole situation, but it seems the livestock are all in fenced runs/ tractors, correct?

I would try electric fencing around the livestock enclosures. A dog who has had a taste of an electric fence rarely comes back for seconds. You can turn the power off when the kids are back there, the dogs won't know that it's off. Some dogs might learn their lessons and you could leave the power off, other dogs might forget after a while and need a reminder, either way, a hot fence when the kids are not around should be sufficient.

 

[antrimfarm]

gander007: thanks! I did have a feeling that if we were to keep the dogs we'd have to reinforce the coop.

Ol Grey Mare: I appreciate the answer. What you said makes sense. It's terrible inconvenient but if I want to keep my sweet dogs then it's worth it. The failed traing was self-done, we don't really have funds for professional training either.

ChaoSS: Yes, the chickens and rabbits are all in enclosed runs and tractors. Thanks for this suggestion! It sounds like it's plausible. The only thing is that the tractors that the rabbits are in are portable? Is there still a way to run an electric fence around them? Or should I move them to a more permanent spot for the training period just long enough to teach them to leave them alone?

You've all been very helpful! Thanks!

 

[antrimfarm]

Also, has anyone had any luck with remote shock collars? I've been thinking about it and it seems like it might solve the problem of the rabbits being portable. I could still use the collar to remind them the rabbits are off limits.

I do still plan on reinforcing our coop. If a predator were to gut past our yards chain link fence, they could certainly do what my dogs did.

 

[ChaoSS]

You can run electric wire around a portable run. It takes more work, or a more expensive set up. I just did a post about that recently, let me see if I can find it for you.


:edit:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...n-for-use-with-electric-netting#post_13390731


Let me know if you have questions about that or need more detail. It's past my bedtime, and I'm too tired to type up too much of an explanation right now, but I'll try to answer any questions later.

 

[SavageDestiny]

Also, has anyone had any luck with remote shock collars? I've been thinking about it and it seems like it might solve the problem of the rabbits being portable. I could still use the collar to remind them the rabbits are off limits.

I do still plan on reinforcing our coop. If a predator were to gut past our yards chain link fence, they could certainly do what my dogs did.

The collars would only work if you were out there closely supervising 100% of the time every time the dogs were out. You have to zap them the second they start heading for the rabbits/chickens or it would be too late.

 

[4 the Birds]

Also, has anyone had any luck with remote shock collars? I've been thinking about it and it seems like it might solve the problem of the rabbits being portable. I could still use the collar to remind them the rabbits are off limits.

I do still plan on reinforcing our coop. If a predator were to gut past our yards chain link fence, they could certainly do what my dogs did.

Not a fan of shock collars. Even with a small yard area, I would create 2 separate areas separated by strong fencing. Perhaps a back corner area totally fenced for the chickens and rabbits to move about and the dogs can have the remaining yard area. Screening or board fencing can create a visual barrier between the areas if the dogs do not get use your other critters. Our dogs live in harmony next to a flock of chickens and separated with fencing. Dogs can go through electrified fence or over barbed wire if they are motivated to get something.