*UPDATE* Dog Got A Chick

[candy37]

Quote:
Oh, I don't know, maybe I just wanted to see how many she could kill in such a short amount of time?!

I tried keeping her away. The chicks were in a pen, she'd been kept away, she'd been keeping away on her own too. We watched her for days and she seemed to have lost all interest in them. Geez, I didn't open the door and invite her into their pen for snack time ya know.

If you don't have any helpful info for me & can't offer sympathy, then please don't post in this thread again.

 

[candy37]

Quote:
Is there anything I can do for the one that seems to not be very active today? I'm keeping a close eye on it & after several hours now it's still living but not moving around, not drinking, and not eating.
I don't want to lose anymore of these babies.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
Oh, I don't know, maybe I just wanted to see how many she could kill in such a short amount of time?!

I tried keeping her away. The chicks were in a pen, she'd been kept away, she'd been keeping away on her own too. We watched her for days and she seemed to have lost all interest in them. Geez, I didn't open the door and invite her into their pen for snack time ya know.

If you don't have any helpful info for me & can't offer sympathy, then please don't post in this thread again.

Calm down! I didn't mean to sound as witchy as I did. I just hate hearing about people loosing chicks to their own dog when all you have to do is keep them apart and don't think you can train the instints out of the dog. edited: I have a dog and 9 cats and I've never lost a chick/chicken to any of my pets.

What type of pen do you have that makes it so easy for the dog to get into it. It sounds like what you need the most right now is a predator proof pen. If your dog can get the chicks out then anything can.

As far as the chicks that died later, they probably had internal injuries or they died from being overstressed.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Is there anything I can do for the one that seems to not be very active today? I'm keeping a close eye on it & after several hours now it's still living but not moving around, not drinking, and not eating.
I don't want to lose anymore of these babies.

The prognosis isn't too good if it's not eating. I would bring it in and peck at the food and water like it's siblings did. Pecking at it's food will give the chick attention that it is accustomed to and will encourage it to eat and drink. Electrolytes in the water will also help it get over the stress. Hope it makes it.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Also if it's just stressed and doesn't have internal injuries you can try to feed it yourself.

Make some hard boiled eggs and cut out the yolk. Mix the yolk with a bit of water and mash it all into a paste. You can put the paste in a medicine surenge (I know that's not spelled right) and slowly squirt the paste into the babies beak.

How old are these chicks?

 

[tiffanyh]

Is it alone? Could you get more chicks, it may be depressed or lonely if it is the only one left.

Dogs are dogs, they are just doing what dogs do. I agree not all do, but some do. Now you know...Im sorry you had to go through that. Now though, you can build a coop that is Mona proof.

Don't ee to hard on Mona. I worked as a CVT for 10+ years and I think we expect a lot of our dogs. But all in all, they are still dogs. From the sounds of it though, shell still get your love. Don't get rid of her over something like this....just build a Mona proof pen.

 

[candy37]

Southern28Chick: their pen is a large wire cage that is covered with chicken wire. The dog can't get into the pen, it's when the chicks are at the sides that she gets them. The babies will try to stick their head out or their wings will be against the side and Mona snaps them up. And when Mona goes over there, the chicks aren't afraid and they run to where, flapping and chirping as if to say "Play with us!" Sure wish they knew to stay away and wish Mona knew we didn't buy them as snacks for her!
They are outside again today but they are triple secured. They are in their pen, which is inside a fence, which is surrounded by chicken wire. If the dog gets through that then...well I don't know.

silkiechicken: I'm going to bring the chick in now and see if I can get it to eat and drink. Is it safe to give the chick pedialite? (spelling?)

 

[Iamaqte]

I have a puppy (she is 6 months old) - I know ur dog is a lot older, but maybe this will help:

I am taking her to puppy kindergarten classes right now and the # 1 thing I am working on her with is not chasing the chickens, ducks, geese, and cats. (easier said then done). Well my dog trainer suggested that we tie a long laudry line rope to her collar and when we are out with her - when she goes to chase them we step on the line and tell her no. I gotta say we have been doing it for 3 weeks now and our dog has a whole new respect for all of our animals.

I know ur dog is older and has a weak heart.. But this might actually work and it isnt too much of a shock to the dog, but just stopping her in her tracks and enforce that they are not food.

Good luck!!

 

[candy37]

The chick that wasn't doing so great has been inside for a little over 2 hours now. She has eaten a little, but not much. She is however drinking the water. A few minutes ago she started moving around and chirping. There is hope for her yet.

I wonder how long I should keep her inside? Until tomorrow or just go by how she's doing or what?

My aunt suggested tying a long line to Mona like Iamaqte suggested. She said to give her enough line that she can get to within 6 feet of the chicks and no closer and leave her tied all the time. When we can be outside with her, we should hold the line and keep her from getting too close. She also said it will take weeks to train her. My aunt raised chickens for years and that is how she trained her older dog (a rottweiler I think) to leave them alone. At this point I'm thinking about borrowing my folks' invisible fence. The dog wears a special collar and anytime it tries to cross the fence line it gives them a little shock. I know the vet said it wouldn't be good for her, but my husband promised he'll shoot her if she eats another chicks. I'm not sure if he will or not, but I really don't to test his limits on this. A little shock would surely do less harm than a bullet

I really want to thank everyone for giving me advice on how to stop Mona. I have 10 chicks left and want to see them all grow up! And thanks for advice on how to take care of my little chick (who I'm still trying to think of a name for).

 

[Iamaqte]

Good Luck Candy37. I hope all works out for you, your chickens, and your dog!!

Glad to hear the chick is doing better...

You might wanna try just tying her up when u can't be out with her and when u can watch her.. let her go.. but keep something on her that you could grab quickly if she goes after them.

My trainer suggested a 20ft line.. I think that is a bit much and we have a bout 10 ft on our pup.. As soon as she gets up to go get them we step on it and her keeps her put.

Hope this helps!