Neighbor's dog got a chicken- they have chickens, too

[megwidmer]

Looking for some encouragement to go talk to a neighbor whose dog killed one of my favorite 10 week old buff Orpington pullets this morning.
We have a flock of 15 pullets, hens, and a rooster. We also have two chocolate labs that were raised as bird dogs that we had to carefully train to leave our flock alone.
I make this point because they have two hunting dog breeds and they have a flock of chickens themselves. Neither of our flocks free range, the chicken had most likely been perching on the fence next to the coop. Their dogs usually never come over. Ironically, they just fenced in a bit of their property for their dogs and suddenly they are figuring out ways to get out. My dogs definitely have visited their property as well, but I admit, their coop is much more enclosed and secure than ours. We try our best to get ours off their property as soon as we notice them over there, but, like their dog this morning, sometimes we can't keep tabs on them constantly.
I went right over after I saw the dog run off with chicken in his mouth, knocked and knocked on the door. No answer, this is 8am on a Sunday... I waited a few minutes, tried again. Went home, got dressed (yeah I was in my pajamas the first time), walked back over, saw the dog eating chicken on outside of the dog fence, with the other dog inside barking at him. I knocked and knock with no answer and left a concise and polite note to call me or stop by because one if their dogs got one if my chickens.
45min later I se the front door open and dog is let in the house. I hear nothing... All day. I'm thinking I need to go back over. Suddenly I'm really nervous!
So, we actually have enough in common that I believe we will be able to understand each other's point of view, but would anyone add anything or say something else? I actually have never met these neighbors...
M

 

[megwidmer]

Also, should I expect that they might offer to give me one of their chickens? Their hens are about 18 months old, like our older birds. Is that presumptuous in this situation?! Thoughts?

 

[Papas Chickens]

If there decent people they should reinburse for the damages or offer one of theres to you. I would have taken pictures so I had proof, if they refuse to do either of the two the best thing to do is call the police or animal control if your legal to have chickens on your propert. Also secure your coop better so it doesnt happen again or fence your yard so the dogs cant get onto your property.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I would definitely talk to them about it since this could easily become a habit. However, in this case I think the most important thing for both of you to do is to make sure all dogs stay on their own property at all times and that all the birds have a secure coop. Nothing short of that will solve this problem. Good fences make good neighbors, period. Once you bring this up you are going to have to make sure that your dogs are not on the neighbors property at any time, whether they've caused a problem yet or not.

I suppose you could ask for compensation for the bird that was killed, I'd do that before I attempted to integrate a single bird of theirs into your flock. Not worth the headache.

I would start out handling this carefully with an attitude of "we both need to work on things" and just see how they respond.

 

[Mallory8502]

Maybe I am misunderstanding, but you said your chickens do not free range, but you think the bird was maybe perching on a fence by the coop when it was taken. If the bird can perch on the fence of the run, its going to leave the run and explore the yard at some point. I don't think asking your neighbor for another chicken is the answer here. Securing your coop is the answer and you'll have to decide whether or not you want to ask the neighbors to keep the dog in their yard at all times, knowing that it will mean you have to be responsible for the whereabouts of your dog as well. You definitely can't call animal control on them if you let your dog in their yard. Animal control will cite you just the same even if your dog is better trained.

 

[centrarchid]

When dogs can go across property boundaries, then dog owner responsible for making chicken friendly.

Bird on trade is fair.

Tighten your perimeter to prevent movement of all dogs, including yours from crossing it.

 

[Tazbeaux]

Not to be harsh, but I have to agree with Mallory8502, if the dog didn't break into your coop, then the chicken was out. The security of your coop is the problem. If you don't want to lose more birds then you should correct its deficiencies, ASAP. The value of the bird isn't worth having to live next door to people that have a grudge against you. Besides, the incident wouldn't have happened in the first place if you had a secure coop. I am sorry for the loss of your bird and hope it doesn't happen again.

 

[megwidmer]

Maybe I am misunderstanding, but you said your chickens do not free range, but you think the bird was maybe perching on a fence by the coop when it was taken. If the bird can perch on the fence of the run, its going to leave the run and explore the yard at some point. I don't think asking your neighbor for another chicken is the answer here. Securing your coop is the answer and you'll have to decide whether or not you want to ask the neighbors to keep the dog in their yard at all times, knowing that it will mean you have to be responsible for the whereabouts of your dog as well. You definitely can't call animal control on them if you let your dog in their yard. Animal control will cite you just the same even if your dog is better trained. 

Mallory, you pretty much hit the nail on the head, there. My husband and I talked about all of that before I went over. This guy was just so nice. Immediately asked what he could do and offered me one of his. Now I knew that was not the answer! We talked chickens for a while and about the hunting dogs and after a few minutes I left. For sure I need to tighten up around here. I clipped all the birds wings earlier today for starters. He said he found the breach in his fence where his dog got out and fixed it...now I need to figure out how to secure my coop better.
Thanks all for the advice and straightforward talk.

 

[megwidmer]

Yes, the dog did come on my property, but considering all the factors (and things I could do better) and how nicely the neighbor responded, I don't need to press this issue anymore. Sure, it was one of my favorite little pullets, but I bought ten chicks this year knowing that all ten might not make it to laying status.
I read so many threads about neighbors and their chicken killing dogs and SO many of the posters have had negative experiences, which is one of the reasons I posted in the first place. I was so nervous! I'm not getting a replacement chicken, even though he offered, but I'm glad that I got to talk with him and keep things friendly.
Thanks, everyone for all your input. M

 

[Papas Chickens]

Tazbeaux, even if the dog did not break into there coop the dog was still on there property wich makes the dog owner responsible for the loss of the chicken. Here in Arizona if my neighbor's dog killed my chicken on my property and i seen it happening one of two things would have happened. One the dog owner would have gave payment or replaced the chicken or two the dog would have been shot on site if i did not know who's dog it was. It is legal to shoot any animal that attacks our livestock in Arizona.