Neighbor's dog attacking chickens.

[Allilang]

My neighbor keeps about 10+ hunting hounds in kennels. Yesterday I got home to find a dead chicken next to my coup. I checked my cameras and found that the neighbor's dog escaped and killed it. I let him know, but today it escaped again. They all survived, but were much much more agitated and physically damaged than yesterday. They wouldn't come out of their hiding spots and one didn't come out until dusk. When I visited the neighbor's property, I saw they he had still done nothing to prevent the dog from escaping. It is being kept on a low deck which it can easily jump out of.

I don't want to start a neighbor war, but he has never said sorry or taken any responsibility. I was pretty close to running out with the shotgun....

Looking for advice for what to do.

 

[centrarchid]

When the dog comes over can you catch it? if you can, then start the process of getting it picked up by animal control. I would even inform neighbor you caught but make so coming to get it without your permission is trespassing. This is to give dog owner some realized cost.

That said, I would still be looking in ways of protecting the chickens better as those dogs will not be your only troubles over time.

I post this based on considerable experience with these matters.

 

[Cat Ballou]

I need guidance as well. I’ve been afraid to let my chickens out after my favorite was attacked by a roaming neighborhood dog.

The best I can come up with is to install an electric fence around the perimeter of my property. I could go have a talk with the neighbor but relying on someone else still puts my chickens at risk.

 

[centrarchid]

I need guidance as well. I’ve been afraid to let my chickens out after my favorite was attacked by a roaming neighborhood dog.

The best I can come up with is to install an electric fence around the perimeter of my property. I could go have a talk with the neighbor but relying on someone else still puts my chickens at risk.

In the end the burden will be on you if the chickens are able to run around. Keeping chickens free-range can get expensive just in preventing losses to wild predators and dogs.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry you're going through this.
First thing is to Cover your own butt and make your coop dog proof.
Is there a fence between your two properties?
Some counties are fence in, some are fence out.

 

[Allilang]

There is no fence, and building one is the last thing I want to do. I have a large run, but I got a rooster and let them out because the hens were pecking each other. They were good for about 4 months with no problems before this event.

 

[centrarchid]

Chicken tractor or electrified poultry netting get you in desired direction without cost of fencing.

 

[Huntmaster]

They were good for about 4 months with no problems before this event.

Not sure how many predators besides your neighbor's dog you have but even city chickens are in danger from other predators besides dogs and as others are saying it's only a matter of time before they strike. Some get away with out attacks, but most do not. It's up to you to protect them from those dangers however you see fit. Or be prepared to take the loses.

 

[Allilang]

It's up to you to protect them from those dangers however you see fit. Or be prepared to take the loses.

I knew there would be losses, and I hoped and expect that the rooster has prevented some. But the issue is the way the neighbor knows the dog can escape from the fenced area and has not taken any measures to prevent further instances even though the dog has attacked my chickens two days in a row.

 

[Huntmaster]

I knew there would be losses, and I hoped and expect that the rooster has prevented some. But the issue is the way the neighbor knows the dog can escape from the fenced area and has not taken any measures to prevent further instances even though the dog has attacked my chickens two days in a row.

Totally understand that there is only so much you can do to get bad neighbors to take responsibility's and I feel for you on that account. And it can be very frustrating. But there is only so much a rooster can do to protect his girls. The rest is up to you, sounds like you have a safe coop and run maybe free range is not an option for your birds.