Rebuilding

[Neva525]

I've had chickens for a year now in a rural neighborhood. As such my former set up was a three sided coop attached to a movable poultry netting run. I've had no issues with predators even though I've seen a possum in the neighborhood. Last Thursday a neighbors pack of dogs broke down the poultry netting and killed half my laying hens, and injured my rooster. I had 13 little 7 week old pullets in a separate more secure tractor. The dogs pulled the wire out of the wood with their teeth. Thankfully I did not loose any of the little girls since they all escaped with only one major injury. Animal Control was called and the neighbors were issued an abatement order, I moved my chickens into a horse stall at my parent's farm to protect them while I take time to rebuild and lock down my security.

My current plan is to fence the entire backyard with no-climb wire and still keep the same interior setup, does anyone have anymore suggestions? Should I run an electric wire across the top and bottom as well?

 

[redsoxs]

Dogs on the loose are the worst! They will kill every last bird in the flock if they can. Sounds like electric fencing sure wouldn't hurt. Are you getting any restitution from the owners of the dogs?

 

[Neva525]

No, in order to get restitution I'd have to take her to civil court, which I may do of they get into my chickens again. Not to actually get money but more to get my point across. Animal control did tell her of they were caught in the act I could shoot the dogs, she's been keeping them up the last few days. We week see how long it lasts.

 

[Zoomie]

Really sorry that happened, dogs can be so destructive and they are amazingly strong. Here is hoping the owner has to pay a fine.

I would suggest that you get poultry netting with electricity, and I would also suggest to build a secure coop. If there are possums in the neighborhood, they will eventually find your chickens. Do you have coons as well? Because raccoons are particularly bad. For this reason I'd build a secure coop that the birds can go in at night, and that is so secure you can sleep peacefully at night. In the daytime the electric fence can also give you peace of mind. Some of them are really easy to pull up and move, like, it takes 15 minutes or less, so you could even still keep moving your birds around.

 

[Neva525]

Thanks for your sympathy the dogs attacked around 10 am so the coops are secure it's their runs that aren't. Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into the daytime electric fencing.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry! A neighbor who's dogs caused such destruction, and hasn't offered to pay for everything immediately, isn't much of a neighbor! If it's a money issue, sincere offers of help you rebuild should be happening. Electric poultry netting, set up properly, should help a lot, or several strands of very hot tape or wire, before your survivors go out again. Premier1supplies.com is very good! All the best, Mary

 

[Neva525]

No she hasn't even come to speak to me about the incident. All the information I've received is from the Animal Control officer assigned to the case. Officer G is great though and already offered to testify in civil court about the case if I were to choose. He came out to take pictures of the damage to my runs and the deceased, before going to issue the neighbor an abatement order. Really pleased with animal control's handling of my case, I know that's not always the case for most people.

 

[twigcrafter]

I'm sorry for your losses

years ago I had a neighbors dogs kill my FAVORITE chicken. ( miss chick was a feathered family member) The owner of the dogs offered to pay for her, but I refused the money. It was a freak incident. The dogs lived 3 miles away and were lost. Ugh!

The Older Lady was happy I found her dogs and was remorseful for what they did, but my loss was deep. Miss chick wasn't just a chicken to me and my family.

Dogs are animals that should not be free to roam and kill other peoples pet/live stock.
I love dogs, I love dogs, but not chicken killing dogs.

I'm sure your neighbor is worried about their beloved dogs, and that's why they haven't talked to you about the massacre..

I hope you all can find a way to live in peace and respect for each other.

Again I am very sorry for your losses.

 

[Neva525]

That's wonderful that your neighbor offered. Honestly this is not the first run in with these dogs. This fall they came into my yard and picked a fight with my dog who ended up with torn pads and she just turned her back and walked her dogs back home while I was trying to see where my dog was bleeding from. I doubt she's the kind of person that feels bad for what her dogs do.

 

[twigcrafter]

Oh, I thought this was a one time thing.

The saying goes.. fences make good neighbors right?
I would do the hot wire if I were you. I would also have the warning tags on it.

I use the solar one to keep my pig in her pasture. Works on keeping the fox out. It's the intermittent shock so it's a bit safer.

Good luck