My Hen needs HELP!!

[leadwolf1]

Is this dog running loose? If so, I would get a secure chain and attach her to their barn. In most places, it is illegal to have a dog running loose...even if she is your parents'!

I almost forgot the most important part...

The dog probably pulled all the feathers out. How sad and scary for your chicken and then to find herself in a horse trough. The post above offers some great advice. Bring her in, put her in a safe, darkened area to recover. If there is no broken skin, she has a great chance of surviving as long as she doesn't succomb to something from her near drowning. Leave some tasty treats and some food/water with her and just allow her to rest. Just provide her with fresh food/water..limit the amount of contact you have with her until you notice that she is getting back to her normal self.

 

[Luv_my_babies]

We let them free range. But we may need to look into something more secure because the leash that their dog is on isn't. My parents don't even care about their grandchildren crying about their favorite chicken...Biscuit. Sad they just care about the dog not shedding in their house. MY husband wants to shoot the dog, that is how they do it where he is from.

 

[Luv_my_babies]

The dog is almost always on the chain now but when my parents come to feed they will sometimes let her loose. This is even after they personally saw her kill our favorite chicken. I want to call the humane society on their dog. I asked them how is it that they can leave their dog at a barn that they live nowhere close too! They tell me they rent the barn and they can. I don't think so.

Today is better, she is eating and seems more relaxed. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Fly 2006]

Goodness, you are in a tricky situation

I have to say I feel for the dog as well, it has obviously not been taught to leave the chickens alone, spends it's day on a chain and when released it goes beserk, hardly surprising to me! It seems you may have to do the hard thing and report this, I am in the UK so I don't know what you would do there, it seems you have tried to reason with your parents but they won't listen, very frustrating for you, bad for the chooks and the dog.... wish you luck in getting this sorted

 

[leadwolf1]

You can always call your local shelter or dog warden and inquire about whether or not it is legal to leave the dog unattended in a barn. Why do they even keep her if they don't want her around? Sometimes, I guess I just don't understand some people.

I am sorry that you are in this situation. Your parents know that you are stuck. Wow...watching their grandkids cry didn't change them...I think that watching my kids cry would send me straight to the phone.