So we had a near catastrophe today. My neighbors dog got ahold of Tara (lone golden comet, 2-year old hen). Luckily, if there was any luck, the dogs are Brittany spaniels, so they are trained to retrieve quail and not kill. The dog delivered Tara to my neighbor, and dropped her at his feet. She looked up at him and he said she looked like she wanted to say "what the <bleep> is wrong with your dog?"
He ripped out a few tail feathers and she has a small bite wound on her back end, but i think she will be fine. Maybe a little traumatized for a couple days, but maybe this will keep her in my yard. She hid under his flatbed trailer all day, he took her food and water, but she followed me home when i got home. We aren't sure exactly where the dog caught her (who's property) but the neighbor said Tara usually isn't out as early as she was today, and he didn't see her until he had already turned out his dogs. I don't blame the dog for doing as it was trained, and she was out where she didn't belong, but I'm sure he will watch for her more closely from now on.
Whew!
He ripped out a few tail feathers and she has a small bite wound on her back end, but i think she will be fine. Maybe a little traumatized for a couple days, but maybe this will keep her in my yard. She hid under his flatbed trailer all day, he took her food and water, but she followed me home when i got home. We aren't sure exactly where the dog caught her (who's property) but the neighbor said Tara usually isn't out as early as she was today, and he didn't see her until he had already turned out his dogs. I don't blame the dog for doing as it was trained, and she was out where she didn't belong, but I'm sure he will watch for her more closely from now on.
Whew!