What should I do???

[JWhite]

Ok heres my problem. I just moved me and my fiancee just bought our first house a month ago. I have never lived off the farm. The problem is there are 4 dogs that I have seen and all 4 dogs have different owners and show up at different times! Ive reported to the sherriffs dept and animal control but with it being saturday night nothing can be done until monday. In a months time I have lost over 18 chickens 16 good hens and a nice buff brahma roo and hen.

The problem is ive seen all the dogs around my coop dont know wich ones are killing my chickens or wich neighbors they belong to. I dont wanna just shoot up all these dogs without at least giving 1 warning even though I have the right.On the farm we would just shoot but this being my fiancees fist place I dont wanna have war with the neighbors as soon as we move.but we have lost 5 hens just today while we was out to dinner and it is upsetting her bad

I guess I just want some opinions on what yall would do and what steps I should take to take care of this problem cause its sad when you live in the country on 3 acres and cant keep chickens

Please help me out with your opinions


Thank yall very much,
Jeremiah

 

[Stonerowfarm]

Is there any way you can fence the chickens in. Or fence the dogs out. At least temporarily until something more permanent can be done. Unfortunately in the country there seems to be a feeling that dogs should be allowed to roam wild.

I wouldn't suggest shooting the dogs, without first giving some kind of warning to the owners. If this is the first house you bought you don't want to bring on bad blood so quickly. I would however mention to all four owners that you have lost a considerably large number of chickens, and while you don't blame their dog, you have seen their dog on your property. Also mention that while you would hate to shoot any animal, you do have to protect yours. I doubt it will change anything with your neighbors, but at least they have some kind of warning.

In the meantime, hopefully you can put up some kind of barrier to keep the dogs away from your chickens. So sorry for your losses. I hope you get it figured out quickly.

 

[FrenchHen]

Get a camera and make pictures of each dog when it's on your land. Note the time and day. Keep records in case you need them.

 

[mxpres]

you will have to build a run and coop to keep your chickens in.its impossible to let chickens free range without losing some to predators,you will find that their are many more predators than just dogs that have chicken on their menu.raccoons.possums,cats,dogs,weasels,mink,skunks.its an ongoing battle,,good luck

 

[horsejody]

Talk to all of the dog's owners. It's likely that more than one is the culprit. After you talk to them, consider them warned. If they care about their dogs, they will keep them home. If they don't care enough to keep them home, then it's their fault when the dogs don't come home. Shoot them or take them to the pound.

 

[mikeksfarmer]

Horse Jody again gives the best advise. Talk to the neighbors they may respond in good faith. If not they can learn the hard way.