my poor babies!!! and i thought i was so smart!!

[Peep_Show]

Well....when you know better, you do better.

Sorry for your losses. Lesson learned. You know what you have to do to keep your chickens safe and you know you have to keep a better eye on your dog....

 

[cracked_egg]

Thank you for your kind words! I just needed to share my grief with people who actually understand how fond you can be of birds! I agree this was my fault, and while I do live in the sticks I thought I had gone over what would try to get in... I do have a large dog also (that is too old to go after anything) that pees and poops in that barn, I haven't noticed any coon tracks, mice, rats, possum, anything in the area of the barn. It is an unused barn and there are so many other taste treats in my other barn that they seem to skip that one... I know I have a horn owl around (I hear him) and there are hawks and bald eagles... And I expected a few losses from that a little later on... But I just hadn't "finished the coop" and thought it was safe from the dog... Now there isn't a top on the coop, but it is about 6 feet tall... I thought once they're full grown that it not being closed up would provide them safety... They won't be trapped in there with a coon where they can't get away, they can fly up and roost on the top of the stall sides.... I think I'm blessed that we have so many hunters around... In more urban country (lol) areas there is less hunting and more criters... I've got a lot of good ol boys around who shoot anything that moves... I'm at least tgwo more weeks from putting anything in the coop so it gives me time to fix some things... I just never dreamed shed do this, I was wrong... I might buy her a shock collar for later training on "adult" chickens... I don't expect to let her roam while they're free ranging, but she's gotta potty sometime and if I start to tie her out I will have to keep it up... (She runs away if she gets off line but if she's loose all the time comes back... Idk, weirs little min pin...)

We shall see how this works out... My little dominiques are in the garage with my loan SLW.... Poor gretta, she's now friend-less...

 

[High Roost Ranch]

Hate to break the bad news to you but once a chicken killer, almost always a chicken killer. You can't turn your back on a dog you cannot trust. I have tried time and again with several over the years to break them of the killing habit and only one was successful, to a degree. You're either going to have to be very diligent in keeping your poultry put up in a very secure environment or the dog put up not able to get to the poultry, or get rid of one or the other. Is your dog a terrier? I ask because they seem to have more tendencies towards this type of behavior.

 

[WhetzelMomma]

I have to agree with the OP that once the chickens are closer to full size, her dog may not have quite the interest. Our dog nearly killed one of our chickens, and he has been very obedient about leaving them alone since then. I don't let him out with the chickens unless I'm there. I think with vigilance and some better housing (which is in the works) things will be fine. It's a lot different when you're talking about an indoor dog that isn't out a lot without supervision than to be talking about "normal" farm dogs that are out with livestock and not under close watch.

 

[Mom 2em All]

My weiner dog started out by killing chicks- she was fast and would kill many in a flash-
I am only sharing because of the OP thinking she wouldnt do any damage to them when they were older.
I had large fowl and while she couldnt kill them fast she could and would tear them up at every single chance she got.

Im only saying to warn you- when its in their brain that they are hunters, thats what they do- no matter what size they are.

Im so sorry about your losses. I have been there many times- and I eventually forgave my wiener dog. Rather hard not to when they live in the house and have no idea any longer why you are mad.
I hope more of your babies turn up, and that you are able to secure the stall so that she cant get in.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Its called a LEAVE IT COMMAND.. put dog on a long line get leather gloves release a bird..... yank LEAVE IT... REPEAT every day till your dog wont even so much as look at a chicken..I have 4 dogs ,all with high prey drive. Ive called them off a injured duck from 50 yards.
Sorry for your losses and most times the little dogs are the hardest to keep track off or change

Good luck

 

[WhetzelMomma]

yep! I had a Rottweiler that was trained to avoid hot dogs using this technique. It's a good one!! Dogs who know their place in your pack. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but it CAN be done.

It's tough not to give up though. We have a "special" dog that has tried my faith in pack order obedience on EVERY level. I just hope that the OP doesn't give up on the dog OR chickens if it takes a few tries to get it right. Both are SO rewarding!

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Patience and time and never trust the dog..lol

 

[WhetzelMomma]

Quote:

 

[pulletkeeper]

Ok, I have never had this happen and I pray to God none of my 4 dogs ever get to my chickens but I have been told by MANY old timers that if you take one of the chickens your dog killed and tie it to the dogs neck for a day or two it will break them. I don't know if this is true or if it works but if the day ever comes on my farm it is probably what I will try. It sounds kind of inhumane, I know, but it is not like it will hurt the dog or the dead chicken. I am so sorry for your loss and I understand how you feel about your chicks and your dog. Good luck and my prayers are with you and your pets.