Turkey are gone *update*graphic pics***

[showme31]

We are now 99% that is was dogs. There are prints all around the run in the snow this morning. About mid day hubby went up to coop to get a shovel and 2 black dogs fled the scene from behind the chicken coop/run. Now what to do......

Option 1: Trap and contain the dogs and post a found sign on the road where they headed and hope the owner shows up. Let them know the prob and present bill, my rights as a livestock owner and see what happens. Hubby suggested this, he was not happy about the loss of these guys. I guess they they grew on him too, that and the expense that went into the extension of my poultry habit

Option 2: Is to hope we catch them in the act of harrassing and SSS. I'm not opposed to this, but they ran as soon as they saw hubby so might be a hard option to use.

He said they appeared to be healthy and both had on bright orange collars. Called my neighbor that raises labs and asked him if his dogs were out running now. He said nope he only has 1 now and she's fat. lazy and asleep in front of the fireplace. I honestly didn't think it would be his but just wanted to make sure. He also wasn't sure who they belonged to.l

 

[chicks4kids]

You could always post a sign out by the road saying something like...

Loose dogs on this property will be shot...no questions.

You could always trap it...check out the link in my sig. for ideas for a dog size trap.

 

[Talihofarms]

Set up a game cam or better yet, a security cam.

Either way, you should be able to see when they are visiting and prepare for what ever you may have in store for them.

Black dogs with orange collars in a pick. would be a strong case.

Keep track of all expenses.

If you have a way to lock them in the cage when they visit, you can have AC pick them up.

Present the owner with a bill.
Or if it is warrented SSS.



just my .02

 

[mychookschick]

I'm sorry for the loss of your Turkeys!

My friend has some and they are truly beautiful birds!

I checked out chicks4kids trap, and it looks like it would work for EVERYTHING! You might look into it and maybe build one for yourself... I wouldn't look at it as to what it would cost because it will save all of your future poultry from this predator and all the predators to come.

Good Luck! And please tell us when you catch it and how!

 

[chicks4kids]

Quote:
If I remember correctly it was pretty cheap to make. Right around the cost of buying a metal trap. Our expense was the hardware cloth, treated 2x2's and 2x4's. Everything else was pretty much what we had on hand. Hubby made it in one afternoon so it's not real time consuming.

 

[showme31]

Right now I have to work with the stuff that we have around here, we don't have any extra $ for anything until hubby gets back to work. Hubby is leaning toward trapping and containing at this point, but can't work on that until thie weekend as he is preparing for an interview on Friday. We are also going to post the unattended dog sign. We have no AC so whatever we decide pretty much just involves us.

I would love to have a game cam, be pretty interesting to see what goes bump in the night out here. Probably pretty scary to know what gets up close to the coops at night out here in the boonies.

Hubby thinks that we might be able to build that trap, but we'll have to wait until at least the snow melts to see what wood is down in the scrap pile. I think if I can figure out how to get it to work I'm going to set up a snare. I figure if I manage to catch another one of my kittys they won't get hurt to bad.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Hope the interview on Friday goes well for you hubby!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I had a St. Bernard with separation anxiety that could do this to chain link in a matter of minutes. **SIGH** It's so disheartening to know that someone's dogs did that....irresponsible ownership. Definitely sounds like the work of more than one dog. One got in and worked on the inside bird, the other pull the hen out from the hole and took off with her. These dogs would probably kill your cats too so I'd make sure they're safely put away. Sorry!!

 

[Ivywoods]

This is the first time I have read this thread, and I thought from the moment I saw that hole in the chain link fence it was dogs. It looks just like what I have seen dogs do. Some will chase and kill for fun and some will chase, kill and eat.

I hope someone doesn't take me wrong here. I love dogs. We have 7 dogs. However, we have also had wild and ferel dogs, mean and viscious dogs left to run wild, and dogs that were property of irresponsible owners. I don't know what the laws are in MO, but here in Kansas you have the right to dispatch any dog/animal that is attacking your livestock.

If a .22 is all you have, it is enough. A .22 to the chest will kill a dog. It will run off first, but it won't go too far before it dies. A chest shot is easier to make than a head shot, especially when you are upset and excited about being invaded buy such a predator.

After that, I would recommend a livestock guardian dog. We have great pyrenees and they are worth their weight in gold. We have had no losses to predators since getting these dogs, and we have coyotes, bobcats racoons, possums and even two sightings by two different people of mountain lions.

My sister has 2 great pyrenees. They had two rottweilers jump the fence and attack their boer goats. Their two GP's fought the rotties and killed one, and maimed the other so badly it had to be put down.

My GP's are on duty 24/7. One time our german wirehairded dachshund attacked a freerange rooster. Sophie, our female GP fought him off the chicken and sat there with the rooster between her front legs licking it until we were able to get there.

They are awesome dogs, especially if you have a lot of acreage. They do roam at night and they do bark a lot at night. It doesn't bother us, however. We know they are just doing their job, but if you have neighbors closeby they might not appreciate it.

 

[joysgirl]

Sorry for your loss I have just lost my chickens to a night visitor just recently. Not a fun thing to go through. Also the frustration of wondering what it is.