I am so glad to hear that you got the fencing done!! Pain to do but in the end well worth it! I'm also glad to hear the in-laws are at least trying to control the dog. With the walks with yours and re-enforcement at his house, I'd say it might all just work out well in the end.Thank you all very much for your support, it makes me feel better. I also appreciate all of the suggestions and advise for improvement! BYC is a proactive community! I have not had a chance to check on my post because I spent the weekend putting up 100yds of five foot high chain link fence around the coop. Well, my husband did most of it, I held the posts while he pounded them in, held whatever he needed me to, pulled fence tight, replaced and recharged power tool batteries as needed and kept his coffee hotThe kids were in charge of the caps and such and running for bandaids (for me). The chickens are now safe! I noticed all the suggestions in favor of this solution, my favorite being the good fences make good neighbors' one. They also make for peace in families with boundary issues! And, I have to say, the suggestion of putting the shock collar on my inlaws was given consideration
I think much of the negative response I recieved was misplaced anger out of embarassment and shame in causing the kids sadness. Not that I condone them taking it out on me, but I can take it, and it seems to have been replaced with a desire to make sure it never happens again.
We all love the dog, that was part of why the kids were upset, a beloved pet killed another beloved pet. My husband spent some time with FIL and the puppy. FIL is not using the collar himself, and he is working with the puppy to teach him basic obedience and is being consistant. DH thinks he is doing good, the puppy is responding well to him. I think the problem is with MIL. The puppy doesn't listen to her, she's frustrated, doesn't want to be bothered, and would rather just shut him in the house with her. Being a puppy he wants someone to play with and interact with him, so when she lets him out, he goes to house where there are dogs, kids, chickens and other adults who interact with him in a positive way. We are just going to have to treat him like he is one of our dogs, and, as someone mentioned, since we have no control over when he is coming over and there is not enough consistency, we are going to take him for walks with our dogs, invite him over to play, and teach him not to chase chickens!
I will have to say that I do agree with gg706. An electric fence is an awesome deterent from most problems with animals. Don't know where in Maine you are, but if it's rural like me, there are a lot of other nasties out there who would love a chicken dinner. I have gone to electric fencing around all of my bird's outside pens. I also cover the tops as well. I just had a huge Redtail here the other day after my ducks and I was right there!
Good luck and I hope everything works out well for you!