Official BYC Poll: How Do You Protect Your Chickens From Predators?

[PrairiePeckers]

Neighbors pit bull jumped fence and killed 38 chickens. My only option is electric fence. And I don’t know if that will work. I seen him sail over a 6 foot fence without touching it. He just bounces yard to yard. Animal control is useless. I’m devastated. Two years and never had a problem. Until now.

 

[argosnikki]

I personally believe that I can't protect my chickens from larger predators such as raccoons, predatory birds and weasels at the same time. I would have to have them in a box.

 

[chickencoop57]

Neighbors pit bull jumped fence and killed 38 chickens. My only option is electric fence. And I don’t know if that will work. I seen him sail over a 6 foot fence without touching it. He just bounces yard to yard. Animal control is useless. I’m devastated. Two years and never had a problem. Until now.

Here in Texas, we can kill any animal that gets on our property and kills or destroys anything on it! I put a lot time and money into my chickens and any animal, especially a dog, goes after them, it'll be met with a shotgun!!

 

[MamaPoult]

It's called a shotgun and a secure coop

 

[Debbie292d]

Neighbors pit bull jumped fence and killed 38 chickens. My only option is electric fence. And I don’t know if that will work. I seen him sail over a 6 foot fence without touching it. He just bounces yard to yard. Animal control is useless. I’m devastated. Two years and never had a problem. Until now.

If animal control does nothing about a dog that jumps over fences to go yard to yard and came into your yard and killed 38 chickens, I would go over their head all the way to the Mayor's office if that's what it takes. That's rediculous that a pit bull or any dog can run through a neighborhood killing and nobody would do anything about it.

 

[Claire65]

Neighbors pit bull jumped fence and killed 38 chickens. My only option is electric fence. And I don’t know if that will work. I seen him sail over a 6 foot fence without touching it. He just bounces yard to yard. Animal control is useless. I’m devastated. Two years and never had a problem. Until now.

how awful! I am sorry you had to go through this!

I love dogs but I'd tell the neighbors either put him on a leash, put him down, or I will. This is your business and/or your ability to feed yourselves. You might let animal control know this once again, and that you have spoken with the neighbors (and do) and they won't listen, so you plan to make sure he doesn't jump the fence ever again. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh to an animal but two dogs got to the neighbors lambs in broad daylight and with children nearby. Animal control did nothing, either. My husband saw it happen as well as the children. It was devastating.

An electric fence is very useful. We use electric tape around the roost/coop and it's dropped (not killed) skunks, deer, etc. Since electric tape is less expensive that's also an option. If the dog sails over the fence, then put the electric tape where the dog lands all around your property. We are fighting coyotes in broad daylight with everything we've got. Nothing is ever foolproof but boy, I'd be at the neighbors in a New York minute (or send your husband if he's calm. I wouldn't be).

Also, predator pee (wolf pee) might be useful on pieces of wood not in your yard but near the fence. You wouldn't need much. I'm not sure how well that would work with a pitty.

Best of luck and prayers that this is resolved peaceably.

 

[Claire65]

It's called a shotgun and a secure coop

Agreed. In Oregon, we're required by law to allow chickens to free range. That's fine by me but if I had to pick, a shotgun would work if the neighbors wouldn't put their dog down.
Blessings!

 

[BDutch]

I personally believe that I can't protect my chickens from larger predators such as raccoons, predatory birds and weasels at the same time. I would have to have them in a box.

It depends on where you live, how high the risks are.
I keep my small chickens in a coop/a net covered run attached. The free range a couple of hours each day in broad daylight when am home / on times when there are noises of people and cars.

The clever chickens flee upon the run or over the hedge to the neighbours when they see a dog /large predator on legs. When they chill outside they seek a spot under a chair or bushes against birds of prey I presume.

I had free ranging casualties (missing-not seen any attack) but with 6-9 chickens for 9 years I still can count them on one hand.

I had locked up casualties too. Fox. Rat (chicks).

Loosing chickens / pets is part of life. Avoid it when possible. But not everything is manageable.

@PrairiePeckers
I wonder in what circumstances a dog could kill all 38 chickens? But such a killer like that pit bull is definitely worth a whole lot of effort to get him/her eliminated.

 

[AGeese]

Neighbors pit bull jumped fence and killed 38 chickens. My only option is electric fence. And I don’t know if that will work. I seen him sail over a 6 foot fence without touching it. He just bounces yard to yard. Animal control is useless. I’m devastated. Two years and never had a problem. Until now.

Where I came from the city would put that pit bull down most likely.

 

[MamaPoult]

Agreed. In Oregon, we're required by law to allow chickens to free range. That's fine by me but if I had to pick, a shotgun would work if the neighbors wouldn't put their dog down.
Blessings!

Oh that's weird! Why should they care?? We have dog problems too. Haven't had to shoot them yet but they came onto our property and sent my best hen into a stress moult. I wish people would keep their animals on their own property. Blessings back at ya