Not sure what to do own dogs killed our chickens!!!

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I presently have a JRT puppy with a very strong prey drive. It is his nature; I accepted that when I recued him. I also have Dobies and GSDs. I have always figured that each of my animals has his own place in my life and if I want them, then I have to make the extra effort to make it work.

The JRT would chew his way through my house if I let him. So I don't let him. I figure that is what crates are for--to protect him from the things that would get him in trouble! My Dobies and GSDs are all schutzhund, which makes them an even greater responsibility. I knew that when I taught them. They never get turned loose in the yard unless I am there to supervise.

To me my dogs are my babies. I assume the responsibility for them and even when it is inconvenient, I keep them safe from their own stupidity. Because I am vigilant (and also have thoroughly taught them each obedience), they have never harmed a cat or bird inside my house or outside. They have never bothered one of my horses. They have never threatened the mailman or the UPS guy or the meter reader. They have rewarded me for my vigilance with their undying love and affection. I sincerely believe that if push came to shove, they would give their lives to protect me.

Bottom line is: How much do you love your dogs? If you love them enough to supervise them outside and inside, then absolutely keep them. If it is too much--you just don't have the time or inclination to keep your eye on them every second--then find someone who will and give them the kind of home they need. Not every dog is suitable for every family. You have to know and UNDERSTAND your breed.

But "blame" them for killing chickens--or anything else? No way. They are carnivores, after all. If my dogs killed something, the only one I'd blame would be me--for not doing my job.

Rusty

 

[ourchickens]

I have to reply to all of you and say thank you to those who were supporting with a positive nature. we understood that Bandit and Bree ( our huskies had killed before) I do need to clear a few things that some have mentioned. These are very smart dogs and they were only 5 months old the first time that they attacked chickens. we rescued them at 7 months. they are now 4 years old. with no issues in the last 4 years it was scary to see and experience this. I also wanted to clear up the fact that they have trainning granted it was not specific anti-chicken killing trainning. they are seperated from the chickens and other animals. we have a hot wire around the perimiter of their area. we had shut it off during the winter. the fence around their area it right at 6 ft high, with a pcv pipe around the top to pervent them climbing it. we care a lot about our dogs and honestly after the shock of what happened we took the time to see that we were not thinking rational. they dug out of their area again something they have never done. I agree that and aggressive master makes for aggressive dogs and the last thing that we would ever do is abuse them for what is natural.. or anything for that matter. the emotions were high the chickens are a dime a dozen but the hardest loss was having to explain and watch my 6 year olds face when i told her that her goose( her friend) of 3 years was killed by her dads dogs.
again thanks for the positive support and sorry so many of you took my story as us not being responsible for our animals. that is not in any means true.

and we did sit down and talk as a family and the kids ( owners of the chickens and geese.) said that they didn't want to make dad find a new home for his dogs. and in the same sitting they asked if we could go to Big R and get some new babies right away so they will be ready for the county fair. and We had a hard time locating a goose but we found one and she'll be here in about a week. So as you can see the animals in are family are strongly valued.

 

[SussexInSeattle]

I've only read half of the replies but am trying to figure out what I read for details on the original post.

Are there (4) 1 yr old huskies or 2 huskies or what? Not that I suppose that matters but people that get breeds because they are pretty, not thinking about what the breed was bred for, create themselves some serious problems.

Huskies are bred to work their brains out and run tirelessly all day long. If you take a couple or 4 huskies and lock them down in a 30X30 pen and keep them there, all they have to do all day long is to observe those yummy smelling, funny sounding, incredible tasting chickens, day in and day out. Of course they finally plotted a break out, that's all people in jail think about all day long too. They think what would I do if I was out of here? How do I know this? I went to school for 12 years!

These dogs need to be re-homed through Purebred Dog Rescue for where ever it is that you live. There is no info in your profile to see if you are close to a large city but there are rescue groups for purebred dogs and these dogs don't need death, they need a home far away from birds. They need a home where they will be exercised heavily and given something to do.

Some dogs can be trained to leave birds alone, others just can not, and even harder with a history of TWO bird killings.

{For everyone who said that dogs can not be allowed around chickens, please don't tell my two 100+ pound Dobermans this, they think the flock belongs to them and they take their job very seriously of protecting them in their Shared free range yard! It's been over 365 days and they still haven't killed the girls yet.

My Min Pin did take out a SLW chick last May but she had to wear it on her collar and has since taken a different attitude. I have caught her playing cat and mouse with the Gold Sex Link and can't decide if they are playing or argueing, but it is cute to watch since they are the same size.}

I would suggest a pair of Pekingnese in the husky's place. They don't seem up for too much excitement and their face is not really built for tearing into fencing. I think then your birds will be safe.

 

[Bock_Bock]

i didnt go threw and read every post as i dont know if this was suggested before but maybe around the perimeter of your dog pen you could lay some kind of chicken wire or even chain link fince flat on the ground as to keep the dogs from digging out

 

[Tweeza]

Quote:
I agree. Our dog got our of our fence once so we put up the electric fence top and bottom and he's not escaped again. It's the easiest by far and probably the cheapest. Or you could put several strands around the chickens.

Don't forget huskies were bred for a working endurance (pulling sleds) so they need lots of purposeful exercise.

Good luck.

ETA: The thought just occured to me. They make carts for dogs to pull. That would make walking them easier and they could cover a lot more territory in one. Plus, the work might be harder and tire them out more which would be the goal.

http://www.k9carting.com/

 

[RlgNorth]

Definatly a touph desion, I have 2 huskies myself, and have been very lucky to be able to have differant livestock without them hurting them too bad. I have one huskie though I really have to watch her,she has bitten the tail off one of our pet rabbits before. WE keep them seperated from the other animals with two fences, one for the dogs one for the other livestock. That way if they get out of one fence they still have to try to get into other one. I am sure you will make the best desion for your family. I think that there is a happy medium, and have read on here many tricks you can do to train the dogs to leave the chickens alone.Sorry about your loss.

 

[BellLisamo]

uughhh! i just send my "cowboy" blue heeler to a loving home. he ate 4 of my free ranged roosters. I'm sorry you are going through this. Its so hard when that happens. I can visit cowboy anytime though, he went to a friend

 

[Zahboo]

I think you made a good decision. I am glad that you get to keep the dogs and chickens. Maybe you should get something like hotwire on the fence around the chickens. I don't know how that stuff works...

 

[Giddyup]

OURCHICKENS - good for your guys! Kids are resilient, and although you don't want them to learn about these risks quite that way....well they learn.

Hope turning the fence back on keeps the dogs in. We just hotwired the perimeter of the backyard to keep them off the fence - one figured out how to climb/jump out when excited enough.

I couldn't/wouldn't ever rehome my dogs...they are our family, as yours are.

hope all goes well at the fair!