Roaming dogs killed my ducks.

[CrazyTalk]

I give up - blame and responsibility are not the same thing.

 

[rancher hicks]

I reckon we need a guardian dog, or will soon. We just don't have the time right now to spend with a farm dog. We're getting close to retirement and will be able to dedicate the required time to raise one when we do. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against dogs. My problem is with people who have dogs and don't respect their neighbors. All of my ducks died in terror because a neighbors dog found a flaw in my gate. It's my fault, I know. I built the gate. But if you own an animal, it is up to you to maintain control of it. Allowing your predators to roam onto other peoples property and kill their livestock is not acceptable.

Excuse me? It's not your fault. Even when we do our best to protect our birds crap happens. I hear the dogs barking over at my neighbors and they are new dogs. They didn't have them when I first got chickens. I saw the kids with the dog in my woods and let them know they were welcome to be in the woods but no dogs allowed.

A predator determined to get your flock can go through Fort Knox to do so. So it is NOT your fault. We can't be with our birds 24/7. Take some time to heal, let anyone who you know has dogs know what happened and what you will do to their dog comes on your property. Stop imagining the trauma to your birds and pick up the pieces and start again.

Doing all we can to prevent a second attack may not include building and building but rather contacting the owner/owners and letting them know the score. That their dog on your property will NOT come home with all his legs!! Calling the animal control, police or whatever.

Take care, I wish you peace

Rancher

 

[oldload]

I appreciate the kind words, and the words of advice and encouragement. I didn't want to start a fight on here, I was merely stating my opinions. I have a responsibility to protect my animals just as a dog owner does. I'll protect mine by building the best defenses I can and by killing predators when they enter my perimeter. Dog owners should protect their animals by ensuring they don't go into harms way. If it's on my land, it's my call. We're building a new perimeter, new pens for the ducks, and beefing up security for the chickens. We're getting some 4 day old Indian Runners this weekend and are hatching out the last eggs we got from our babies, they go in the incubator today. I know this is the wrong time of year but they're the only thing left. Hopefully we'll be able to continue the line from our sweet ducks. Once again, thanks for all the words of support, I didn't post looking for it, but then again maybe I did. We sure miss our wonderful ducks.

 

[speckledhen]

I give up - blame and responsibility are not the same thing.

Good grief, no need to get so frustrated over word games. LOL, you're not Southern, are you? We all know what we're talking about, let's not quibble over words and shades of meaning. That only gets us off the subject too easily. However, for your edification:



Quote:

• blame
• [ blaym ]

1. consider somebody responsible: to consider somebody to be responsible for something wrong or unfortunate that has happened
2. criticize somebody: to find fault with somebody
3. responsibility: responsibility for something wrong or unfortunate that has happened

If you want to shoulder the "blame" or take the "responsibilty", take your pick of words you prefer, for your birds getting killed by some roaming dog, then you go ahead and do so. If someone has done all they can reasonably do to keep their flock safe and some illegally loose dog kills their flock, in my opinion, it is not their fault.

Not sure there's any more that can be said about it. If I shoot the chicken-slaughtering dog on my property, that is my fault and I'll take responsibility for it and own it, but will suffer no consequences for it, at least as far as the law is concerned because the Ga state law and our county law backs me up. The owner, well, they are not always rational. Been there, done that, though no birds were lost to that dog in question, though he's been inside my perimeter several times.

Oldload, I'm sorry about your ducks. Ducks are so fun. Best of luck with your situation.

 

[oldload]

Thanks speckledhen,

We're fine. I don't know if our ducks were special but they sure were to us. I had no idea before we got them how much personality a duck could have. I don't think I'll live without some ducks in my life again. We're moving on and will defend our birds as we see fit. We'll deal with our situation and dog owners can deal with theirs. Once again thanks for the kind words.

 

[N F C]

Oldload, I've never had ducks but I know how I feel about my chickens. They DO become special to us and that's a good thing, that's what makes a good caretaker of the animals that are entrusted to us. I hope you enjoy the Indian Runners and good luck with hatching your eggs. Let us know how the new ducks and the incubation work out for you, ok?

 

[oldload]

Thanks. I'll post again after the new babies hatch. Four of the ten we lost were hand raised babies, hatched on Valentine's Day, from the original six rescue ducks we had. We tried to incubate 7 the last time, 5 ended up viable ,4 survived and lived to be a hoot. We're hoping for better this time. We really want to raise babies from our originals again.

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks speckledhen,

We're fine. I don't know if our ducks were special but they sure were to us. I had no idea before we got them how much personality a duck could have. I don't think I'll live without some ducks in my life again. We're moving on and will defend our birds as we see fit. We'll deal with our situation and dog owners can deal with theirs. Once again thanks for the kind words.

You are most welcome. I'm certainly sorry your first few posts on BYC were of this sad nature, but stick around with us. We're glad to have you!