Our babies are dead

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
There are options. Does your dog stay in the house at all? We're planning some additional fencing nearer to our house, but here's how we've handled the dog/chicken situation so far:

My dogs live in the house. In the mornings, I take them out for a nice, long romp, while the chickens are still tightly tucked up in their run. Then I put the dogs back inside, and go let the chickens out to range for the day. In the evening, I reverse the process, putting the chickens away snugly before letting the dogs out to play. If a dog needs to go out during the time the chickens are out, then I personally escort the dog--a couple of them have to go on-leash because they WON'T be called off when in pursuit of prey, but most behave simply due to my presence.

Lots of people claim to be able to train the prey-drive out of a dog, but I personally won't even attempt it--why bother, when I can simply keep the two species apart? Much easier.

 

[CathyB]

Quote:
I would have LOVED to let me chickens free range but knew I could not and DH just built them a nice size run. My neighbors on either side of me have dogs that would gobble up my girls in a matter of minutes. Also the people to my right are just plain crazy!! But, my chickens are happy in their run so I am happy. I am happy, they are safe!!!

Good luck with the feed store.

 

[JennsPeeps]

So sorry to hear about your baby chicks. We do get very attached and we all understand how hard it is to lose them.

I agree that it's critical you tell the kids the truth of what you suspect. It's important because they should not blame the dog but also they must understand the birds aren't safe around the dog. She was following her instinct to play with them as much as the birds follow theirs to peck and scratch. It stinks and it's awful, but it's natural.

When I was a kid we used to keep parakeets. One flew down the spiral staircase one day and a cat brought the body back up. My brother and I were devastated - our parents weren't at home. Blaming the cat, I picked him up and threw him (I'm not proud of this, but I was a dumb kid). Then I grabbed him again. He, of course, gave me a nasty scratch from my wrist half way up my arm to my elbow. I still have that scar, probably 25 years later. It's about 6 inches long now.

The lesson I learned (albeit years later) was to never blame animals for doing what comes naturally.

Please accept our condolences on your lost flock. We all hope you'll keep going, and carry with you the important lesson of having a secure place for the chickens.

 

[steffpeck]

I am really sorry about your chicks!! We lost 6 of 7 babies over a period of 4-5 days. They were out in the coop and run with their momma hen, and we had no idea what happened to them, they just vanished, no trace of anything. Finally on the last one, I happened to look out the back window and saw my dog (a Sheltie) sitting in the backyard with something black in it's mouth. I ran out there and she took off. After looking around for a few minutes all I found where she was at was a few little black feathers in a pile. Somehow my chicks were able to squeeze through something and get out of the run, and my dog ate all of them except the one little one we still have left. I was completely heartbroken, not only for my chicks, but at the thought that my dog had killed and eaten them.

Please don't let this stop you from getting more chicks, get some more and it will help heal your sadness. I also, would tell your kids that something got them, and not necessarily blame the dog, unless you are sure your dog got them.

 

[Guitartists]

 

[ausamerican33]

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is my first time posting here - I'm a new chicken owner, too. I just wanted to let you know how much I've learned from reading all the responses to your post. I am going to be so much the wiser now, for reading them all.

 

[Chicken_Lover4567]

I am very sorry for your loss. And I hope, that if you still believe it was your dog, that you forgive her. It's just her nature, and you cannot blame her for that. I know this is a very large loss, but please, get some more chicks and try again. I hope your kids take it well. Best wishes....:aww

You have friends on BYC!

-Cassandra-