Sad Day... Dog killed 37 meaties

[5acrehome]

That dog would meet the business end of a bang stick here there is no use for a animal that is taking away from the farm instead of contributing. If it's a family pet then find it a new home if you can, he'll just get them again one day when someone is careless or the opportunity arises again. I am still looking for a breed of dog to patrol my land. Traps seem only catch the young possums and coons it seems.

 

[jemmasgrandma]

my DH raises beagle gundogs for rabbit hunting/trialing and has for 40 years. I've only had chickens for 2 yrs... however, this escape artist dog is leaving the farm and will now live 15 miles away!

 

[averytds]

 

[EweSheep]

Well, not all is lost since you went ahead and butchered them.

You did the best you could. We all know that beagles are high prey drive dogs and that is their nature. It only takes one false security to make that happen.

 

[malignstar]

I have 2 beagles but if they had ever killed future chickens, I'd stop raising poultry vs getting rid of my dogs. I guess if the dog doesn't mean anything then it's fine to get rid of it but birds mean less to me than my family.

 

[EweSheep]

beagles are known to HUNT so it is a double edge sword that the dog can provide meat for the family and yet he can go after the family's chickens.

Either way, the choice is yours to get rid of the dog OR be mindful or confine the dog by pen or chain when you are out with your chickens. It just take extra steps if you want to keep the dog.

If it was the neighbor, SSS!

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
that's your problem... you are looking at "breeds" when it all comes down to the individual dog, their temperament, training, and respect for you.

if people saw the dogs i use to protect my 500 or so birds (we have coyotes and bears, and mt. lions, but i pray i never see one of them) they may be a little confused. 2 scottish terriers, an APBT, a rott, and a mastiff/terrier/chow/mutt mix - all rescues


ETA so sorry to the OP for the loss...

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I agree with eKo, however, i believe you must constantly communicate with the dog about what is expected and allowed. I have 2 weinie dogs, a chi/terrier mix and a beagle mix, and while my beagle mix is probably the most stubborn and gets into the most trouble, she is also the youngest at 5 months, so we treat them like children in that we always have out eyes on them when they are around our livestock, and from an early age they learned the meaning of ANGH!( our little sound for NO), and they learned that if you dont hault and look toward us for direction upon hearing that sound, a slap is coming ur way! Having so many animals, means everything must get along here, we cull anything that is aggressive for no reason( we want our cows to be a little fierce when they have calves) whether it be horses or aquarium fish! Having an operational farm means animals dont kill each other all willey nilley, we kill for food and purpose. I understand it is tough to cull when u are attatched, I sent my beloved gelding of 5 years packing last spring because he beats up ANYTHING he is loose with in the pasture, I hadnt really noticed because he stayed stalled and or in a turnout alone, because I rode every day and barrel raced on him every weekend. I sold him with a full disclosure and showed the new owners some battle wounds, and they were buying just him and had no other livestock. I told them if he became a problem, i would buy him back and look for a new home for him.

 

[halo]

That had to be a horrible sight to see. Im glad you are getting more and trying again. If you are really attached to the dog, there are always ways to make sure the dog is locked up when the birds are out. Its really tough raising chickens when you also have a dog that will kill them. It can be done, tho. Just have to be diligent.

 

[Beekissed]

Kudos to you for processing the birds anyway and not letting them go to waste...fast thinking on your part!

As for birds and dogs...even though my dogs were here first and they are part of my family, I would have to agree with FlipFlopFarmer about the necessity for having animals that can co-exist. Its just mandatory when big money is invested in food animals and the pets are there for a dual purpose. My dogs are not merely pets, they are working members of this place~ they simply MUST be able to resist the urge. And they do.

A hunting dog is usually not trained to be around livestock and are usually well-confined, so I'm sure this rule doesn't apply to the OP....its just one of those things that happen. Not planned, not necessarily due to not enough training as this dog has another purpose....one of those things that one learns from.

Sorry about your financial loss.

Good decision to relocate the escape artist. I just did that recently with a well loved sheep...she was more trouble than she was worth, even in heart currency.