Neighbor Poisoning Our Chickens?

[kooltex]

I would have trapped that dog and took it to the pound! haha! People that allow their animals to destroy other peoples property just drives me crazy! Just shows how much they don't care. What has happened to people?

 

[PortageGirl]

There's too many poisons out there that they could be using to compare the symptoms to... I agree 100% about the camera, there are some out there that are a little less expensive and no matter what, they can be moved around when you want to cover various parts of the yard/coop so it will really be a long term investment in your peace of mind. Looked at that way, maybe it'll feel a little better. Try asking friends too, maybe somone has one you can borrow, lots of times someone has one in a closet or the basement that they aren't using... they may loan or even sell it to you. Also, check the paper and craigs list, maybe someone has one they no longer need... just make sure you get all the documentation, instructions, packaging and info with it esp if it's from someone you don't know. It may be worth it if it's inexpensive enough but could be a risk too...

Someone else here recommended this game cam, http://www.walmart.com/Moultrie-Spy-40-Game-Camera/ip/5933976 though I don't know anything about it myself, and I found this, http://www.ezwatch-security-cameras...-Value-Grade-Installs-on-your-PC-p-16631.html as well as several other regular video cameras for about the same price on line by Googling "Outdoor Video Camera". I cannot speak to the actual quality of any of these, it's just something I have been considering for myself. I'm leaning towards the Game-Camera, but I live out in the boonies. Motion sensor cameras will work fine for me, in a city/town setting, having that video camera in sight might be a great deterrent to the TWO-legged sort of predator.... all depends.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

The first week we moved into this house(13 yrs. ago),I began putting up fence. I have 7 dogs. My neighbor rudely came over & said, (without even introduceing himself) "Why the #*@% are you putting up that @#%&* fence?" I said "To keep my dogs in, & neighbors out." He turned,walked away grumbling cuss words,& never came to talk to me again in the 3 years they lived nextdoor! LOVED IT!!!!

 

[Warfrost]

Well, as awful as this sounds, I would not have bothered making your fence all but dog proof. I would have repaired the fence as normal, and then sat and wait. A dead dog can't kill your chickens.

Also, I would "forgive" your neighbors, but not to their faces any more. And get that camera...get it on tape, and file charges. Make SURE you follow through all the way to the end- don't let them get away with it anymore. Also, go to your neighbors that saw the last incident and get a notarized statement from each of them about what they saw. You MUST cover your butt here...these people sound very devious, and will lie when it suits them.

I don't know about what other kinds of animals you have on your property, but maybe it's time to get a guard dog. Especially one that finds terriers tasty.

 

[Warfrost]

Quote:
I think you should try at the very least. These people think you will never do anything because you've been letting them off the hook. Try and file the report...even if you have to do it over the phone. Make sure you mention the shovel marks on your side of the fence that you didn't make. Notarized statements from your witnesses will also be important.

 

[Warfrost]

Quote:
Thanks for the laugh! That dog has bit a child before; it's a nuissance and I'll put it down if it's in my yard again.

I tried calling the university and they just referred me to a local vet for Necropsy / Toxicology tests. I'm working on getting a camera installed as well. My wife is talking with Attorneys at her work to see what charges we can bring against the neighbors. We've spent a lot of money on the chickens but it will be hard to document it all. The chickens went into a molt on the last attack so we only have 1 egg a day now from the remaining 18 hens... we got chickens for eggs and now our neighbors have ruined that for us.

One thing worth noting that I learned from the whole thing is this herbal remedy my mom had for wounds saved 4 chickens from extremely nasty bite wounds. I think it's called Essiac Tincture. We had 4 hens with deep bites and 2 of them missing skin and flesh and we could see the fat layer underneith. We put this stuff on them twice a day and didn't give them anything else and they all survived. These wounds were 2-3 inches wide and some had puncture wounds around the vent. This stuff cleared it all up. It's amazing. If anyone wants the recipee PM us and I'll share it.

One last thing...please don't let these kind of pigs ruin something you enjoy! I think, as a temporary measure, that you should order an entire box of roosters from a local hatchery...and see how they like that!

 

[lizO]

i'd do a web cam, definitely. maybe only about $40, and so useful for spying on your animals otherwise. also,
what about electric wire fencing? it's pretty cheap nowadays, and i think it might "teach" the dog to avoid the area. too bad you can't "teach" the neighbors, like with a brick....

 

[wombat]

OP: Have you checked with your state's agricultural extension or outreach office regarding where you could get a necropsy done?

 

[werecatrising]

Quote:
how exactly do you get them to do it? i tried and they acted like they had never heard of doing that before. i suspect i was calling the wrong department, or something.

Do you have a vet? The hospital I work for usually calls the lab and helps make arrangements.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
how exactly do you get them to do it? i tried and they acted like they had never heard of doing that before. i suspect i was calling the wrong department, or something.

Call your county extention agent and ask for the poultry specialist. If they say that they don't have one, call one in a more rural county and ask.