WORST day of my life(so far)

[tdgill]

have any of them flown UP into the trees?

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Sorry to hear about the awful situation - I hope your birds make it home. I'll keep positive thoughts for you and the birds. Check near by trees at dusk may be you will spot somev going to roost for the night. Not sure if that happens - just a thought. Keep that shot gun loaded!

Sandee

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I am so sorry...did you call the police or game warden?? I would call them, they might can give you traps for the dogs....also they might know who dogs they are and if caught you might have a chance of getting your money back from the owner...either way I wish you luck and I hope the rest of your babies turn up, including the cat.

 

[lizzy06019]

my heart hurts for you and your birds! I hope for a safe return of your missing birds and kitten. Keep us posted

 

[horsejody]

Sorry for your loss. The dogs will be back. Be ready. They may not belong to your nearest neighbors, but dogs can travel a long way. Also, a holiday weekend is coming up. Your neighbors might have relatives visiting with dogs. Talk to the neighbors. Somebody might know who owns them.

 

[LarryPQ]

Did any missing chooks show up this morning?

 

[fordmommy]

Go out in the yard and start calling for chickens. They may recognize your voice and come back. I had to do that when a dog got more than half of my flock.

Another thing that may work is take a dish of food and shake it. The sound may make them curious enough to come back.

Good luck.

 

[wyliefarms]

Call the cops and file a report too.

So sorry for your loss!

 

[rcentner]

I searched for a total of 9 hours to find 7 missing birds after a fox attack last week. I did not hear any crows in the distance or find any feathers and had no idea if any were still alive. After 9 hours I found nothing. Your luck must be better than mine, go out and call and search. If they are injured they may be hiding. I brought a bread bag with me to luer them in cause that was their fav. So, grab thier favorite, noisy treat, a shotgun and get to hiking. I would even ask your neighbors if you can search thier properties, I searched everyones barns and garages (with permission). I will pray for you and your chickens.

 

[jjthink]

This is heartbreaking and way too common a refrain.

If you have some or can have someone get for you Rescue Remedy (a Bach flower remedy), put a drop or two in the bird's water each of the next handful of days. It is often used for its calming effect. It may help a bit with the trauma your bird's just experienced. Also, as soon as you can, closely examine your birds for injuries that might not be readily apparent but which may lead to infection of not discovered and quickly treated.

Of course the birds on site need to be in lock down right now because the dogs will be back.

Unfortunately your birds still missing may yet be their victims if the dogs are still at large. Try to get as many people as possible to help comb the area asap today to try to avert further tragedy. If you or they come across any of the birds maybe they can ever so gently steer them your way. Alert your friendly neighbors to the fact that you have some missing birds due to dogs and ask them to call you right away if they spot either birds or dogs.

When home, use your voice a lot to call them in case they recognize you and can follow the sound of your voice. Your roo may need your guidance to find his way home and if he's hurt he'll need it quickly. If there are any hens with him, hopefully they will travel with him.

Do try to find out whose dogs they are and report them and bill the dog's guardians. Lots of good threads about this - it will help create a collective paradigm shift re: respect for the value of chickens and also re: the solemn responsibility that comes with ownership of dogs. They are predators and must be controlled.

I so hope your missing furry and feathered friends will be found unharmed.

So very sorry.
JJ