Pack of dogs killed half our flock

[1stTimeChicken]

We had a pack of dogs kill half our chickens last night. They were screaming, so hubby went out only to find feathers and at least 3 dogs around the coop 4 of our 10 birds have been killed. The others seem ok other than missing feathers, except one, she appears to still be somewhat in shock. I'm glad we heard them and hubby went out, otherwise they more than likely would all have been killed.
We didn't see blood or bite marks on the dead ones.
Either way, pooooor birdies. They weren't even a year old yet.

 

[FluffyFeathers97]

That's awful So sorry for your loss. Do you know who owns them? I'd be inclined to report to animal control.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry to hear of the loss.
Any idea where those dogs belong???
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[WesttexasCorporateService]

A pack of "sweet pets who wouldn't hurt a thing" wiped out half of my parents chick flock, over 1,000 birds in pieces. They tore through the bird killing like it was a game.

We thought they were all dead but over about a week, the other half emerged from hiding.

When packs get started, it never ends well. And their owners will swear up and down that fluffy didn't do it.

 

[WesttexasCorporateService]

When a rogue sheep dog went after a deer and then my guinea fowl, the game warden told me if it shows up again, shoot it. This is a sheep and cattle area. Rogue dogs are not tolerated. And deer hunting is a high value business, so attacking deer is not okay either. Really depends on the region.

 

[aart]

They were screaming, so hubby went out only to find feathers and at least 3 dogs around the coop 4 of our 10 birds have been killed.

OyVey!
Was this after dark... or before the birds were locked up for the night?

 

[1stTimeChicken]

This was at around 4 am in the morning, one dog was a black pit-bull, I don't have a clue where they came from, I've never seen them before.
I can't really report them either, because we're not actually supposed to have chickens in the first place according to city code...
Chickens or not, I don't like the idea of roaming dogs.

 

[aart]

This was at around 4 am in the morning,

So did dogs break into coop?

I can't really report them either, because we're not actually supposed to have chickens in the first place according to city code

Yeah, that might get tricky.

 

[gtaus]

I can't really report them either, because we're not actually supposed to have chickens in the first place according to city code...
Chickens or not, I don't like the idea of roaming dogs.

When pet dogs pack up, they can cause all kinds of problems. Where I live, it's OK to shoot domestic dogs that pack up and run down deer. I was going to say to shoot first and then ask questions later about these "pet" dogs, but since you are evidently living in a township where your chickens are not even allowed, I don't suppose shooting off a gun in town would be allowed either. Better reconsider your predator proofing. I lock my hens up in a Fort Knox coop every night. But pack dogs could be running down your chickens in the daytime, so I'd be looking at fortifying my fencing in the chicken run and/or no longer letting the chickens free range in the backyard.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you find a way to prevent future attacks.

 

[1stTimeChicken]

So did dogs break into coop?

Yes, they tore one side completely open, I should have attached the wire better, never thought of a pitbull with his pack coming around though to get to my birdies.

On a side note, the one bird that seemed very shocked and sort of subdued, seems to have recovered and is pecking and scratching again with the rest of them. They're even still laying eggs surprisingly enough.