Neighbor dog attacked my flock, killed 4, but now 9 are missing... where would they go?

[MCNacco]

Hello all! I am writing because I just need some communal chicken wisdom. Yesterday a neighbor dog jumped the fence and attacked my flock. I had 15 chickens. I found 4 bodies and later in the day 2 pullets came back and were wandering around the barn. We are still missing the 9 other chickens which is very strange. We live in an area where everyone has small 2-5 acre lots that are fenced. Our 2 acres border about 5 or 6 other properties. We walked our field and looked everywhere we could think. I talked with the neighbor whose dog it was and she was very apologetic, I have no bad feelings towards her, accidents happen even when you do everything you can to control your dog. I just want to know if the rest of my flock is safe! Any thoughts on where they could be hiding? I suppose I could go door-to-door and meet all the neighbors...? Any ideas appreciated, thanks!

 

[neo71665]

Any tree they could find, taller the better. Check the rafters and even barn roofs. Since it happened on your property I wouldn't be surprised they were on some neighbor's property hiding.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Agree! They are hiding and scared to come back. If you feed them with a certain bucket, you could put some food/treats in the bucket and walk around the property to lure them back.

 

[centrarchid]

Check under buildings in tight places and in heavy vegetation where the birds will attempt to burrow into. Also check in woodpiles. By this time birds should have come out of hiding places. What may have happened is that some left the area they are familiar with and will be inclined to roost in new location unless retrieved or are motivated to come home.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I'm so sorry for your losses, and good advice given already.
Do meet more neighbors! Your birds could be anywhere, hope they are okay. The dog owner owes you for the value of your birds, dead and missing, at current market value (higher, not lower), so if she hasn't already offered, present a bill. Try for maximum politeness, she did apologize.
Her dog will return unless her fencing issues aren't repaired! Keep your birds in until this problem is fixed. Consider upgrading your flock protection measures too. Electric fencing, or electric poultry netting, work very well, if legal where you live.
Mary