no wonder I hate dogs

[SussexInSeattle]

If you love dogs and have raised a few breeds, why not think about getting an Anatolian Shepherd to protect your flock? It's like having a loaded weapon at all times that can not go off on the wrong target. This should deter more predators than just loose dogs and is always switched "On".

My own dogs protect my small flock against cats, crows, raccoons and possum and they are not even shepherd type dogs, they are guard dogs though. If they thought they could have gotten away with it in the beginning, they would have eaten my flock but with consistent training, they learned that the flock was part of their 'pack' and will guard them against anything now. They even howl in response to my Gold Sex Link's "Layed an Egg" song.

I have free ranging 3 wk old chicks that have been running around the 110 pound dobies paws since the day after hatch. No problems. The only losses have been the chicks that squeeze through the fencing into the neighbors yard.

 

[Brindlebtch]

They even howl in response to my Gold Sex Link's "Layed an Egg" song.

No doubt they are celebrating with her!​

 

[Brindlebtch]

Sorry Horsejody, I was laughing at Rufus' stinky solution and betting on you!

 

[illinichick]

This is not meant to "steal" your thread but we had to put down our Choc Lab 7yrs old and Irish Setter 9yrs old last weekend. They had gotten out of their pen twice before in the past 2yrs we've had chickens and killed most of our flock which was FFA and 4H projects. This time was the LAST. We've had an electic wire around the top of their pen in the past and it didnt take more than one time for them to stop getting out. This time they tore the chain link fencing from the bottom frame, got out and killed over thirty birds that were free ranging and got into the chicken house to kill more. My DD17, recovering from knee surgery, could only stand at the door and watch her projects be killed. My Dh and I were down the road when she called. I flew home, grabbed the Setter, chained her up and walked around the yard, bawling, screaming at the dogs and picking up dead chickens. I told my Dh that I could not and would not do "this" again and to "get rid" of the dogs. Those dogs had been our family pets for all of those years but I just couldnt stand the monetary loss and emotional loss of all of out chickens. They killed 10 1yr old brown egg layers, 2 baby turkeys and 15 2 month old Polishes. My heart still aches for the chickens and the dogs. My surviving chickens are still acting "shocky", standing in corners etc... I bawled every time my DH and I found an injured hen beyond surviving and he had to kill it. My BR Roo's comb was purple for 24 hrs after and is just now starting to crow again.. I was a responsible pet owner, using fencing and even an electric wire, but the dogs just got the best of me , I guess.

 

[MissCluck]

I'm a dog lover and am so sorry what has happened to your birds, Deerman.

Along with many others on this board I have a big problem with people who let their dogs run free. I've had to create an "Alcatraz" to keep my animals safe from the neighbors' dogs.

I've got horse and goat fence that is five feet high and goes right to the ground and all gates are lined with mesh... my picket fence around my house is four feet high.

I care too much for my dogs to let them run. I always know where they are.

Another peeve - I'm walking my dog in a public park (on a leash as required) and nine out of ten people have their dogs loose. grrrrr.

How about the one the other day... I was driving out of the park with my dogs in the car and there was a lady with her dog trotting along IN FRONT of her van while she drove. That dog ran up to my car and put huge scratches on the door trying to get to my dogs. Sigh.

 

[Anny]

Don't hate the dog hate the dogs owner.

 

[Buster52]

The irony to me is the best solution to protecting the birds if I want to free range them is to get a good dog.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Our dog leaves our chickens alone. Sometimes he'll even take a nap in one of the dusting areas with the chickens. So, I don't think dogs necessarily have to destroy small animals that they encounter. I think that dogs just need to be taught that they can't simply run wild and take whatever they want. They need to know that food/toys are only theirs if the pack leader gives it to them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/8378_keeduschickens.jpg

Love your lab. Looks like my baby girl.

 

[Brandi_H]

I don't care if it's the dog's fault, or if it's just doing what comes natural. A life is a life, and 1 chicken life equals 1 dog life. If a big rooster was to kill a yorkie puppy, people would probably say to kill that mean, nasty rooster. Well, if a dog is killing chickens, why not kill it too? Who cares WHY the dog did it, the point is that it did do it.
If a dog is a problem like that, then just kill the dog and problem solved! The dog had enough chances.

 

[sundance]

I'm sorry you lost your chickens, even more sorry that you have neighbors that really do not care for their dogs. a responsable dog owner will have it spayed or newered,(sp) give it its shots and keep it in the house where it is part of the family, not tied up in the back yard on a chain or turned loose to run by it self.we have 3 dogs and all are trainedf to leave both the chickens and guianas alone.To our pitt the P/U belongs to her and I have no problem, leaving her outside all day (and Us gone) with the hens out. My GS caught his dog with one of the guians in her mouth and he shot her, his dog, his guiana,his decision, but I was the only one in the family to back him up on his decision. marrie