- May 31, 2011
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On Saturday I lost most of my hens! I had 3 dogs break through one of the windows on my coop and jump through and kill most of my flock in a matter of minutes. This is a window that is 4 1/2 ft off the ground! It was a screen window (as are all of them). It was just so sad-I had raised these hens for almost 2 years. 18 dead in mere minutes-thank goodness for my guineas or I wouldn't have any left. As it is I only have 4 unharmed-and 11 more that are chewed up. I have doctored all that I can-but honestly I don't expect them to make it-just trying to give them a fighting chance in case they do. I added electrolytes to their water since all have been in shock. It is so eerie to go out to the coop and run and it is deadly silent-not a single noise since the attack. Unfortunately they were confined to the run and house (both large) since we were working on putting in the garden. I have been letting them free range since the attack-but very few actually leave the house now. 2 of the dogs got away unharmed-the other was not so lucky-but it did get away. It was a pit or pit cross. Unfortunately none of the dogs had collars-and people are known to just dump dogs in our area-and sometimes these dogs can form packs-or even cross breed with the coyotes. I am pretty sure this is the pack that attacked my two Nigerian Dwarf does in August (fortunately they recovered-though the vet was doubtful). Pretty brazen to attack during the day-and they weren't starving-nice and plump dogs. I was totally devastated! Then I had to let all my customers know that I wouldn't have any more eggs for quite a while! What a weekend!! Thanks for letting me vent-most people I know just don't understand since they are "just chickens".
I only have 4 chickens, and I would be heartbroken. I hope your injured girls make it! And the other two don't come back (the scent of the dead/dying dog may be enough to keep them at bay if they were a pack. But I'd stay on alert either way and keep a gun close)
