Unexpected Predator - Update!

[Redcatcher]

I was working at my desk when I suddenly heard screams of terror coming from my chickens that free range in my garden. One rooster, in full panic mode was up on my porch, slamming himself against the door. It could only have meant ONE thing...Predator! I grabbed my .22 and ran out the door expecting to see another fox. So, I was surprised to see a 6-7 year old boy out there who I had seen over at my neighbors. My birds had never seen a kid before and they were freaking out. It wasn't helping that the boy was trying to catch one. I wasn't real happy about that and even less happy that I had to babysit him for 20 minutes until he got called for supper.

 

[froggiesheins]

OHMYGOSH what a story and what a scare! Godd boy Mr. Rooster for letting you know. Thats really something that the little boy scared them so much....Glad everything is back to normal and no one got hurt...

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[rebel-rousing-at-night]

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I know what you mean.My chickens would have freaked out too.

Lucky for you they reined him back for supper. I bet that kid would have stayed for hours.

 

[Ole rooster]

Me and that rooster would get along fine. Kids do the same thing to me.

 

[bobbi-j]

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Huh??? You couldn't send him back where he came from? Or walk him back over and explain to the neighbors that he can't be chasing your chickens around? On the other hand, those 20 minutes could well have been an educational opportunity. "So, you like chickens? Let me tell you about them. Number one, if you want to pet one, it doesn't work to chase them around. You need to sit VERY QUIETLY for them to get used to you...."

 

[Redcatcher]

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Huh??? You couldn't send him back where he came from? Or walk him back over and explain to the neighbors that he can't be chasing your chickens around? On the other hand, those 20 minutes could well have been an educational opportunity. "So, you like chickens? Let me tell you about them. Number one, if you want to pet one, it doesn't work to chase them around. You need to sit VERY QUIETLY for them to get used to you...."

I tried to educate but I don't think a whole lot of what I said sunk in. At least he saw that the chickens would come running right up to me and he asked why. I explained to him that it was because I wasn't chasing them which is basically true. They were scared of him to begin with and when he started chasing them, it only reenforced their prey animal instincts. I don't think he was terribly interested in the chickens themselves but in the sport of trying to catch one. Though, from the way the chickens were acting, I doubt he would have been able to hold onto one without getting hurt. He got called back over at just the right come because 20 minutes is plenty long to try to educate.

 

[froggiesheins]

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[ReikiStar]

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X's 2!

Redcatcher, you're a patient person. I would have told that kid he's lucky I was home, before the meat eating rooster woke up and found out his ladies were being chased!

I like putting up perimiter hot wire and having kids ask, "Is it hot?" Why yes it is...unless you want to see for yourself?

 

[galanie]

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X 4

 

[ChickInDelight]

I was recently 'entertaining' my neighbor's 15 year old son who had their Lab on a leash. This Lab had long been acclimated to my hens and ducks, so I was surprised to see him so 'interested' in them.

It turns out, the boy has 'trained' the lab to kill Canadian Geese. He is a poultry owner himself. After a long discusssion about the legalities and ethics of having his dog maul my birds, the boy chose to set the Lab on my flock. First, he tromped down my flower garden running my ducks out of the fenced yard. Then, the boy had the leashed Lab zig-zag after my ducks in the driveway until a biteful of feathers was snatched.

The next day, the Lab showed up after escaping his leash looking for my ducks. I "Bad Dogged" him on home. He then went after the farm chickens that have just recently started free-ranging. No farm dog should be trained to kill livestock (as I mentioned to the boy prior to this episode).

After this intentional display of cruelty to my animals, I have forbidden the boy from coming into my (rental) yard. The boy's father actually had the nerve to phone me in a rage because I had threatened his kid with a lawsuit if any of my birds were shredded by the Lab. (This was part of the discussion BEFORE the boy made the choice to bully my ducks.)

At first I was in total shock. Then, I was really angry for over a week. Fortunately, the family has been away on vacation for awhile - a break from fowl attitudes.

My ducks stopped coming when called.

This two minute trauma has caused irrepairable damage to my ducks as well as the Lab.