my girls are no longer free range

[broodieswelcome]

After several attacks from the neighbor dogs and the loss of three birds we have put up a fence.I am sad for the hens. They have never been confined and are pacing the fence line. I really wanted free rangers to eat bugs and fertalize my flowers but I'd rather have them alive.

 

[earlybird10842]

I'm sorry about that. We have also had dog issues. How big is the new pen? Is there a way you could fence in your whole yard so that they could fertilize your flower beds??

 

[speckledhen]

I'm not sure how large your lot is, but our coops each have attached pens, but we perimeter fenced 2 of our over 5 acres because of roaming dogs and they free range within that 2 acres with relative safety from ground attack. They spend half time in the pens and half time ranging, usually, in shifts between the various groups. I say relative safety because a coyote or fox or determined dog can certainly jump a 4-5 ft livestock fence, but it is a sort of "slow-down barrier" that may give the birds time to notice the approaching predator as it goes over. That and alert roosters have prevented predator loss for over 7 years of having my chickens out here on our wooded mountain property. We also have quite a few evergreen trees and shrubs we have planted since living here that provide quick cover for them.

It's a shame that dog owners think they have carte blanche to allow their predators to roam at will, wreaking havoc in the lives of others, but they certainly do, especially in rural areas, even with laws against such as most states and municipalities have.

 

[broodieswelcome]

200 ft of fencing! Its pretty big. We live in the woods so our yard is huge. Fencing the whole thing would be very expensive. I already spent too much on the fence I didn't want! I am so mad about the whole thing! Makes me want to buy a shotgun

 

[broodieswelcome]

Our rooster did his best to protect his ladies! He is missing his tail and a large area of feathers under his wing. Shabby looking but alive.

 

[cntrywmnkw]

I understand where you're coming from, I too have lost several of my girls to dogs. I had to build a large run for them for that very reason, but I do let them out in the afternoons, BUT ONLY when I'm out there with them, I also, have a .38sp & a 20ga shotgun with me at all times as well. After contacting my local law enforcement to verify what my rights were about shooting dogs on my property, I was told, "if they're on your property, you can shoot them & contact us if they have a collar & the owners will be contacted & fined for allowing their animals to roam", so, you could still free range your girls, but only if you can be out there with them, make them a protected run (mine is 14 x 30, covered) & get yourself a weapon.

Check out speckled hens signature line, it says it all. ~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~ Truer words were never spoken.

 

[nellynelly]

shoot the dog.

 

[can you hear me now?]

Agreed. I hate to shoot a dog but if it is killing my girls, its a dead dog, period. I know we were having trouble with previous neighbors dogs. Called the sheriffs department and they said if you feel you are in danger, or you feel your livestock is in danger, you are allowed to shoot them. I do tknow all the state's laws but I do know many states allow for the protection of your animals. If it were me, I would get that shotgun and make quick use of it. I have do e it and will again if need be.

 

[earlybird10842]

We usually prefer to use pepper spray on the dogs--we live in an area where some people try to--I'll put it as they did--"let 'em [the dogs] roam free" We, too, live in the woods, so fencing is not an option. We've had only one incident--feather losses but no death. Do you have a dog? If so, can it be trained to bark like crazy at intruding neighbor dogs? This would alert you to the dogs and distract the dogs from the chickens.

 

[broodieswelcome]

I have 2 dogs but they are small. Mini doxi and boston terrier. They do bark when the dogs come but are no match for 3 100lbs+ dogs! My husband wants me to get a paintball gun and freeze the balls. Will hurt a lot but not kill the dog. If that doesn't work a shotgun is next.