WHEN will she learn!?

[Ducklove334]

...that our DOGS are the biggest predators during the daytime!?

my fiances mom STILL likes to let the chickens freerange, with BOTH of our dogs who live out in the back field, they're tied up, but the chickens still don't learn to stay AWAY.


it's mainly Dino, he's 12 years old, partly blind, and deaf, but his sniffer works

, everytime the chickens get too close, he stares with this hunting gleam in his eyes, for the past few days he's been letting the chickens get unwittingly close, without moving a muscle..


today we had our FIRST dog attack on a chicken,Dino was successful hunt

we've told and TOLD her this would happen, freeranging the birds so close to the dogs was NOT a good idea, "why should I keep them cooped up!!" is the only reply, THIS is why, one today, how many tomorrow??

now, MY birds are among HERS, my NN's, barred rock, these are chicks I'VE cared for,I'm glad it wasn't one of MY birds.

how can we convince her it's now a bad idea?,Dino got one,he's gonna want another, and if he can kill one, he will.

I don't want that for them. we are here to protect them, noe hand them over to domestic predators

 

[emilyweck]

I'm really sorry. I don't envy your spot in dealing with the "in-laws"...or future in your case.

 

[ChickenCat]

Right on Dino!!! Good dog!Dino is deaf and blind? What a thrill it was for Dino. I love my dogs as well as my chickens.
I'm sorry for your loss.
BUT, if the chicken is dumb enought to not understand the dog. Then so long chicken. I'm in the same boat. I have 4 dogs loose in my yard. chickens are outside that yard. If chicken flies IN to dog yard, guess what will happen? I'll hate the loss of the chicken, and it'll piss me off the dog did it. But it's dog nature.

 

[Big dreams]

Any way to put a fence between the chickens and the dogs ? Not to keep dogs in but to keep chickens out or away?

 

[Ducklove334]

the only solution that she's made is that "we have to start putting Dino in the kennel again"...the kennel wich is, by the way, only 5 x 5, or something like that!. she usually lets the chickens out late in the morning, where they're out all day long, that means Dino is stuck in the kennel ALL DAY long, thats not fair to him, but it's also not fair to the chickens that she doesn't care enough to keep in the pen which was BUILT to keep them safe. it's spring, and there are foxes, I've been seeing a pair in the back field nearly every night now( I usually stay out past dark checking fences and everything making sure gates to both pens are well closed ext.

there is nothing wrong with free-ranging..if I'd thought ahead last year, instead of getting all those mallards from mcmurray, I'd have ordered from Ideal and gotten heavy breed ducks, and let those freerange...really if we living on several more acres, where the dogs and chickens were far enough apart, I could understand it, but we built this big fancy coop, and big honking pen wich costs the 1000's of $ we nor dear ol' future MIL's parents didn't have. and she ain't greatful.

so long as the birds are laying, yay but god-forbid there be a drop in egg production!

just like we've told her, ALOT of these birds only have a few good laying months left befoe they start tapering, a couple already don't lay consistantly, or not at all.

Dino has killed chickens before, but that was over a year ago,

I don't blame the chickens, it's been hot, over 100 degrees for the past 4 days, Dino is under alot of trees, theres shade there...thats all the chickens see.

I hope she wises up some, I've told her that if that dog kills any of my birds, or my turkeys, then shes in a world of hurt, I'll personally throw all of her favorite birds at Dino

 

[chicks4kids]

I was talking to an older neighbor and stressing concern about our dogs and chickens, and he told us, which sounds absolutely disgusting, that if one of our dogs attacks and kills a chicken, to tie it around its neck and let it start to rot. I know, I know, I'll probably get alot of slack for posting this, but as nasty as it sounds, I bet it would work. He said that dog would never so much as even be interested in a chicken again.

But I believe that if Dino is tied up, the chickens should be alittle bit smarter about it.

Best of luck in your situation!

 

[Big dreams]

Quote:
That did work for a dog I had once but I believe it really depends on the dog, the dog I have now ???? not so sure about, well I am sure she would kill chickens although she hasn't yet, but only cause she hasn't had the chance I am sure! I am thinking she would just put up with dead around her neck and go for a freash one.

but its worth a try....

 

[ranchhand]

A 10' x 10' x 6' dog pen is $249.00 at Tractor Supply. A good investment in peace of mind. It will contain dogs or chickens.

I thought about getting one to drag around and use as a chicken tractor.

 

[LynneP]

I want to point out to you that you are probably experiencing an exercise in control. A message is being sent to you by that woman, and other examples will soon show you that it is not a 'chicken and dog' issue so much as your needs and will being thwarted. Oh my...

 

[chicks4kids]

Good point. Is it possible to padlock your chickens up so that she cannot let them out, or do they share a coop?