What kinds of Predators have taken your birds?

[jtn42248]

I had a neighbors PitBull kill one of my chickens 3 weeks ago and have a picture to prove it since we have wild game cameras all around our property. One week later the dog was back on our property trying to get in the chicken run. My husband was trying to keep the dog back away from our chickens when the dog tried to attack him. I had enough and called the Sheriff Department. Now they have a citation and court date. It's so unfair and unnerving.

Having to deal with the ongoing battle between us and predators is bad enough. But when the predator is a neighbors pet it involves all sorts of other issues. I have 7 dogs, two are pitt mixes, and they are all "the best" dogs in the world. I can not even imagine having to shoot a dog. But, as has been said here on BYC before, a neighbors dog in their yard is a pet, in my yard it becomes a predator. We all have the right and responsibility to protect the animals we have take under our care...be they dogs or chickens or anything else. I don't know where you live or if you even could do it if needed but having taken the "right" first step in contacting the authorities if that dog continues to come on your property you may have to resort to more drastic measures.

 

[WildfireSmitty]

I had a mink get into our barn where I was wintering our hens. In one night he bled out around 30 of my hens. A truly horrifying sight.
I have watched Coyotes run in and snag a bird and take off, multiple times a day. My dog caught a coyote taking off with a hen, he took off after the coyote. After a good struggle my dog managed to give the coyote a good butt kick'n and the gently brought my hen back to me. Unfortunately it was too late, she had already passed.

I was washing the dishes, looking out the window in front of me. A hawk casually flew by the window with one of my young broilers in his talons. I could hear him/her chirping very loudly. That was a sad sight to see/hear.

One of the cons to free ranging.

 

[Monica58]

Having to deal with the ongoing battle between us and predators is bad enough. But when the predator is a neighbors pet it involves all sorts of other issues. I have 7 dogs, two are pitt mixes, and they are all "the best" dogs in the world. I can not even imagine having to shoot a dog. But, as has been said here on BYC before, a neighbors dog in their yard is a pet, in my yard it becomes a predator. We all have the right and responsibility to protect the animals we have take under our care...be they dogs or chickens or anything else. I don't know where you live or if you even could do it if needed but having taken the "right" first step in contacting the authorities if that dog continues to come on your property you may have to resort to more drastic measures.

I am going to use a pellet gun on the dogs butt if he comes in my yard again to see if that deters him. If it doesn't work, next time will be SSS!!

 

[WildfireSmitty]

I am going to use a pellet gun on the dogs butt if he comes in my yard again to see if that deters him. If it doesn't work, next time will be SSS!!

I had a neighbors 2 German shepherds come on my farm. They were chasing the cattle and chickens. I blew one Rifle shot (.270) in the air over their heads and they haven't been back since.

For pellets, use the ones that are somewhat pointed. Copper BB's wont do much.

 

[jtn42248]

I had a neighbors 2 German shepherds come on my farm. They were chasing the cattle and chickens. I blew one Rifle shot (.270) in the air over their heads and they haven't been back since.

For pellets, use the ones that are somewhat pointed. Copper BB's wont do much.

If the dog is a pitt bull that got aggressive with your husband before a pellet gun may only anger him so be prepared. I love our two Pitt mixes (Pitbull and Boxer) but I am also very aware that some of them can become very aggressive and dangerous so just be careful.

 

[dragon30276]

Hungry Humans

 

[StevenW]

I've lost 1 girl to a hawk, 2 to raccoons and 2 to a family dog when they decided to fly over the 6 foot fence around the dog kennel so they could investigate that area...the rest of our girls all die of old age.

 

[chynasparks]

I had a neighbors PitBull kill one of my chickens 3 weeks ago and have a picture to prove it since we have wild game cameras all around our property. One week later the dog was back on our property trying to get in the chicken run. My husband was trying to keep the dog back away from our chickens when the dog tried to attack him. I had enough and called the Sheriff Department. Now they have a citation and court date. It's so unfair and unnerving.

Sorry you lost your chicken. I'm glad you did something about the neighbors dog. My neighbor likes to say " they won't hurt you ". When his dogs are in my yard barking at me with their hairs up on their backs I yell back "IM NOT COVINCED". The city finally sent letters out saying the water meter reader can't read because of the loose aggressive dogs............... I know this is a chicken forum, not a dog forum but dog predators can be controlled! We have a leash law in my county which many people ignore. One more predator to worry about.

 

[swamperkk]

i had a problem with dogs around my chicken pen,i put a hot wire around my pen at night,cat,dogs racoons wont come around anymore,but the rats will,they are predators for the very young,i have traps out,so far i caught 5 rats within day,i have my wire low to the ground but that still manage to get inside my pen,there is a tree hanging over my pen,so i guess they climb over and drop in for a snack,thats,when the trap gets them,lol

 

[RonP]

I had a hawk problem, but I cured that. I now have a large plastic owl that I mounted on a pole in the middle of the coop. I haven't lost a single chicken since. Before I was losing one a week.

Did you mean like this one??