A few months ago, we lost our rat terrier (someone stole him to use as a bait dog... it was horrific to say the least), so a few weeks later, we adopted a mix breed puppy. She is quite a bit bigger than our rattie was, but given the circumstances, we wanted a bigger dog. I am no stranger to dogs and have been raising them all my life, but I am new to chickens... we have only had our ladies since July.
We built them a coop when we had our rattie and it was, we thought anyway, dog proof. Well... this new dog proved us wrong and ripped off the wire on the bottom half and attacked our flock.
She killed my chicken (she was my lap chicken... a sweet little RIR) and by the time I got out there, she was working on my daughter's chicken (she was fine, shaken, missing some feathers and a small cut on her comb... a Delaware). We still have 3 ladies...
We have since reinforced the coop with a second layer of hardware cloth and 1x4's... replaced the door (from wire to wood) and have done all we can think of to protect our girls from having this happen again... however, I tend to think that part of the problem is the dog.
She is a good girl. 6 months old... knows basic commands and just wants to please. But when it comes to the chickens... she lunges at the coop.... jumps on the wire framing...
I worry for my girls. It seems playful, like they are her favorite squeaky toy... not like she is wanting dinner... but she is a threat to their safety.
We never let the chickens out with the dogs... before I open the chicken pen, I make sure the dogs are inside and away from them, but the coop is in our backyard. I cannot really separate the two fully.
The shelter we adopted her from has offered to take her back given the circumstances, but I hate sending her back to a rescue situation. I have tried finding her a home on my own, but have had no takers...
To make a long story short... is this something that can be trained out of her or should I just cut my losses and go the shelter route (it is a no kill shelter so she is safe, just without family)?
I hate giving up on her, but I just don't know how to proceed.
Tying a dead chicken around her neck for 2 weeks (recommended by the woman at the shelter) isn't an option... I have 2 small children and live in town...
Please help...
We built them a coop when we had our rattie and it was, we thought anyway, dog proof. Well... this new dog proved us wrong and ripped off the wire on the bottom half and attacked our flock.
She killed my chicken (she was my lap chicken... a sweet little RIR) and by the time I got out there, she was working on my daughter's chicken (she was fine, shaken, missing some feathers and a small cut on her comb... a Delaware). We still have 3 ladies...
We have since reinforced the coop with a second layer of hardware cloth and 1x4's... replaced the door (from wire to wood) and have done all we can think of to protect our girls from having this happen again... however, I tend to think that part of the problem is the dog.
She is a good girl. 6 months old... knows basic commands and just wants to please. But when it comes to the chickens... she lunges at the coop.... jumps on the wire framing...
I worry for my girls. It seems playful, like they are her favorite squeaky toy... not like she is wanting dinner... but she is a threat to their safety.
We never let the chickens out with the dogs... before I open the chicken pen, I make sure the dogs are inside and away from them, but the coop is in our backyard. I cannot really separate the two fully.
The shelter we adopted her from has offered to take her back given the circumstances, but I hate sending her back to a rescue situation. I have tried finding her a home on my own, but have had no takers...
To make a long story short... is this something that can be trained out of her or should I just cut my losses and go the shelter route (it is a no kill shelter so she is safe, just without family)?
I hate giving up on her, but I just don't know how to proceed.
Tying a dead chicken around her neck for 2 weeks (recommended by the woman at the shelter) isn't an option... I have 2 small children and live in town...
Please help...
Then they would believe you in the future when you tell them not to do something. Just re-read your last post. Your yard isn't fenced from the neighbors? One option would be to turn the fencer off when the kids are outside.
