Pit bulls in my coop!!

[aart]

Thanks for posting the pics of the coop HazelCMAS.
Looks like they got a start on the edge of the corrogated. Funny they didn't get back out that hole.
My condolences and best of luck in reparation.

 

[LiveVintage]

I posted last in support of the breed, but bad owners are the surge of the earth. If they likely have remaining puppies I would be very inclined to look into a civil suit.
Like you said they would end up outside, essentially neglected and you would very likely end up with a similar situation and more preventable blood on your hands.
A pity we have to worry about such things at all. In the old days everyone had livestock so loose dogs weren't as much of a threat.

 

[blucoondawg]

While I personally am not a fan of pits or any of the "attack" or "guard" type dogs due to the fact that historically they have attacked people and are strong enough to kill and maim, it is the owners fault in the end for allowing such behavior to take place and I do agree that breeding is also the problem. The main problem I have with pits in my area is that the type of people here who own them are the sort of people who have them because they believe it is cool to have a big mean pit bull, if they don't own pits they have rotts, let them roam and breed out of control then give away or sell the pups without regard of which parents they came from, responsible breeding would definitely help the reputation of these breeds of dog. Also no matter the breed, more than one dog roaming forms a pack metality, this is when roaming dogs cause the most problems. A 14 month old child was just killed and the mother attacked by 2 pits down near Milwaukee a couple weeks ago. Another example of irresponsible people. I do feel they are a dangerous breed due to their pure muscle and they need to be kept accordingly, I don't buy into "most do bites are by small dogs", that may be true but most dog deaths and severe attacks aren't from toy poodles and other nippy little ankle biters.

 

[Megan Amber]

We meet again blucoondawg! I'd say I have to agree with you!

 

[bugglesmommy]

I don't think that Hazel would like anymore breed virtue analysis on her thread. It comes down to the fact that these dogs are very powerful with strong jaws and determination. This may make it harder to dog proof a coop.

Does anyone have any pit bull proofing advice? Maybe someone who owns or has owned a Pitt that can help share ideas for better making a Pitt safe coop?

 

[layalittleeggfo]

Could the galvanised metal not be electrified???

Have to layers so that the electricity cant jump from the outer to the inner. That way it could be on all the time so any preds woild be stopped but chooks are safe

 

[Megan Amber]

Like I said earlier, but kinda sorta got drowned out, I would install electric all the way around and I would bury barb wire around the coop so nothing could dig in either. After my coop was attacked that is what we did and it did not happen again! Although there were threats!

 

[bugglesmommy]

We use sheet metal buried almost completely around the outside making it harder to dig with two ft. of metal underground.

 

[Megan Amber]

That's a good idea! Might have to do that for mine! Would probably keep mice from digging under too!

 

[blucoondawg]

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.