Pit bulls in my coop!!

[LoveChickens123]

oh my gosh i am so very sorry to hear!!!!

 

[bugglesmommy]

I personally don't believe it is the responsibility of a livestock owner to have to spend a bunch of money to build super strong enclosures to deal with dogs who shouldn't be there in the first place, you should be able to free range your animals on your own property if you so choose without worrying about roving dogs killing them

I agree. We should not have to take on the stress and expenses because SOMEONE ELSE owns a dog they didn't bother making an escape proof pen for or just turn loose. My neighbors probably don't even know we have dogs because I would NEVER let my dogs out to wander, not that they are the type to take off. If my dogs are off leash or out of yard its only because I'm outside with them.

 

[layalittleeggfo]

But by the same rule. if someine is not supplying a suitable boundry for thier animal whatever it is (reguardless of fault here) then you should want to provide security for your own animals again reguardless of what animal thwy are

 

[cassie]

What is that white sheet material the dogs tore off the coop sides? Is that metal or plastic/vinyl? It looks like plastic to me the way it is broken apart. I think the only way to keep large dogs out of a coop or run is to build it very heavy, everyone recommends using hardware cloth on this forum and it is the best stuff you can get for keeping out normal small wild predators but it is not strong enough to deter a strong predator nor is that sheet siding. I would recommend using something like chain link fencing or heavy welded wire dog kennel sections, the heavy guage welded wire is probably going to be stronger than chain link though chain link will work as well as it is not a super determined dog with a lot of time to work at it. Then put your layers of hardware cloth or chicken wire over the top of the heavier fencing to prevent smaller animals from getting in. Also I am building a shed style coop which can contain all the birds over night or during bad weather or times when there may be danger around, no dog or anything else will get in this coop and it will be locked at night. An electric fencer with a strand or 2 down low may be beneficial too if you continue to have these issues.

Hog panels are another option of very strong fencing, this is probably the route I would go if I didn't have any extra dog kennel sections available.

I personally don't believe it is the responsibility of a livestock owner to have to spend a bunch of money to build super strong enclosures to deal with dogs who shouldn't be there in the first place, you should be able to free range your animals on your own property if you so choose without worrying about roving dogs killing them, I refuse to build an Alcatraz chicken coop and run and have to keep them enclosed at all times to prevent some jerk's dog from attacking, I will kill the dogs whenever they come around, I have a duty to protect my animals and family the same as they jerk dog owner has the duty to keep his dogs contained. Losing a few birds to wild animals is annoying enough but domestic animals like dogs and cats killing them really puts me over the edge.

You will save yourself a lot of stress and aggravation if you predator proof your poultry pens. If it isn't the neighbors' dogs after your chickens it will be something else. Along with making the pen and coop strong, look into some electrified poultry fencing. It is easy to put up, portable, and will keep out most dogs, raccoons, and other critters.

 

[blucoondawg]

But by the same rule. if someine is not supplying a suitable boundry for thier animal whatever it is (reguardless of fault here) then you should want to provide security for your own animals again reguardless of what animal thwy are

I am not saying you don't have to predator proof your coop or run, my coop will be predator proof to most any predator, in the op's instance their coop was quite predator proof to any normal predator, I am saying I/we shouldn't have to go to added expense and waste our time that could be better spend on some other activity to predator proof our coop into a super coop that a elephant cannot penetrate simply because some jerk likes to let dogs roam. I am building a sturdy shed for a coop completely enclosed other than doors and windows, the only thing able to get in will be a human, I will use a covered dog kennel as a small run to protect them when we are not around and when we are able we will let them range in our fenced yard, I am not going to go through the expense of electric fencing or hog panel fencing to keep out dogs, I load my own shells, it is quite reasonable even with the current rush on ammo, any dog that doesn't belong to me on my property is soon a dead dog. 50 cent bullet is far more reasonable solution to me than hundreds of dollars and wasted energy spent to predator proof against animals who have no right to be there in the first place.

 

[Sprinkles212]

I see that now...bet I don't do that again!  lol

I like the SSS mentality.  Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

Thanks!

Yes, SSS is Shoot, Shovel, Shut up. It's sad to kill an animal, but we must protect our families and livestock.

 

[captmark]

Double Coilspring traps, 4 inch.. I don't endorse them, but I use them. Sardines will draw every animal in a mile to your trap set.. Stick em on to tall perches to catch those flying varments. I don't endorse anything I say.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Electric wire doesn't seem to worry some dogs. They can just run straight through it.

 

[cassie]

Electric wire doesn't seem to worry some dogs. They can just run straight through it.

Netting is a little different than wire. They can't just run through it.

 

[gibblets]

We are thankful it was not our dog or our kids that were attacked but I sure miss those chickens, they were my first.

I am so sorry for your loss....it would break my heart if I lost my babies at this point, even if I've only had them for 4 days. Our neighbors have pits and they do have them confined but they have already pulled another neighbor dog partially through the fence and mangled her face (they were adjoining fence neighbors). They have now electrified the inside of part of their fence, but my husband keeps saying that it's just a matter of time......