Lost half my flock yesterday…

Glad to hear the two ducks are improving! False hope isn't a great thing, but MAYBE some missing birds will still return. I've shed tears over chickens I was sure were dead only to have them casually walk back into the yard.

Too bad your neighbor not only doesn't value your chickens, but must not value the dogs, either. Some day, someone will likely get a clear shot -- and kill dogs when the owner was really the villain.

Good luck with getting as much compensation as possible, although it still won't be enough.

I’m sorry for your loss! As a dog owner myself, I always take precautions. I don’t understand why I’m reading so many of these. I mean I do but it seems like a lot of dog owners just let their dogs go. You get caught not having your dogs on a leash it’s a hearty fine, if they get out and run a muck in town it’s worse. And if they even bit another person or animal they get taken for 24 hours and each time the time gets longer and eventually bad enough they get out down. I think these dogs need more than a hot wire fence. I know it wouldn’t effect my Rottweiler or Husky. And it’s sad that these owners are taking and doing more responsible things to keep the dogs where they need to be.

Salixx said:

I am losing hope that the missing birds are still alive.

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I'm really sorry to hear of your traumatic experience; something similar but less devastating happened here earlier in the week. But a hen I had given up on reappeared yesterday teatime; she'd never slept out before or hidden nests, so I assumed she was dead, but no, she was just hiding somewhere, maybe in shock for 3 days. And the flock that was so quiet, like yours, is back to normal now. I think they get over it quicker than we do.

racyfamily said:

I’m sorry for your loss! As a dog owner myself, I always take precautions. I don’t understand why I’m reading so many of these. I mean I do but it seems like a lot of dog owners just let their dogs go. You get caught not having your dogs on a leash it’s a hearty fine, if they get out and run a muck in town it’s worse. And if they even bit another person or animal they get taken for 24 hours and each time the time gets longer and eventually bad enough they get out down. I think these dogs need more than a hot wire fence. I know it wouldn’t effect my Rottweiler or Husky. And it’s sad that these owners are taking and doing more responsible things to keep the dogs where they need to be.

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Absolutely. I have three dogs myself, two of them are chicken safe. My retired sled dog and yorkie used to walked and mingle among my flock and still could except my chickens now alarm call when they see my dogs and I don’t want to stress them more. I took in a reactive, 8 month old border collie a month ago and she wasn’t great around the chickens - trying to herd them is most likely but she’s not proofed so is always on an extra short leash while near them.

I should also mention I work at a dog daycare. Dogs will be dogs. Some dogs have high prey drive and you’re 200% right - some will bolt through a fence as a little, brief electric shock is worth the reward they get running amok… not to mention they also get punished with another shock for returning home… electric fences only work for certain temperaments. Drivey dogs need real fences and supervision or they have to go out on a leash attached to a human.

My town does have a loose dog problem. Several dogs have meandered through my yard but skedaddle when I shoo them away and we’re far more interested in the compost pile than the chickens.

Salixx said:

Absolutely. I have three dogs myself, two of them are chicken safe. My retired sled dog and yorkie used to walked and mingle among my flock and still could except my chickens now alarm call when they see my dogs and I don’t want to stress them more. I took in a reactive, 8 month old border collie a month ago and she wasn’t great around the chickens - trying to herd them is most likely but she’s not proofed so is always on an extra short leash while near them.

I should also mention I work at a dog daycare. Dogs will be dogs. Some dogs have high prey drive and you’re 200% right - some will bolt through a fence as a little, brief electric shock is worth the reward they get running amok… not to mention they also get punished with another shock for returning home… electric fences only work for certain temperaments. Drivey dogs need real fences and supervision or they have to go out on a leash attached to a human.

My town does have a loose dog problem. Several dogs have meandered through my yard but skedaddle when I shoo them away and we’re far more interested in the compost pile than the chickens.

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And dogs will be dogs. It’s part of who they are. Which is why for sure my Husky won’t be around them. I don’t think she would hurt them intentionally because she is still really a baby. But because she is a baby she gets rambunctious. The Rottweiler is a little older and I don’t think she would do anything either. We had baby kittens once and she just loved watching them. Every once in a while I will bring one or 2 out where the dogs are just so they both can kind of get to know each other. Or at least know that one another is there. The dogs have heard their chirping and they go crazy but they are getting used to it.

I would really think after the first time, these owners would have done something different. Dogs will get out of fencing and what have you eventually (at least my 2) but we bought a heavy duty chain attached to a big tree for back up for their fenced in area. They have taken and dug themselves out of stacks in the ground, and have broke chains. This chain though is tough and they can’t break it.

I really hope the owner does something different. I would t care if he covered damages or not. The damage is beyond the loss of the chickens. It’s so much more than that. The ones there still are suffering too. And it will happen again if they don’t make changes.

racyfamily said:

I really hope the owner does something different. I would t care if he covered damages or not. The damage is beyond the loss of the chickens. It’s so much more than that. The ones there still are suffering too. And it will happen again if they don’t make changes.

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I would consider the cost of damage, including the replacement costs and the vet bills, to be important because of what it might teach that owner: those dogs are causing ACTUAL PROBLEMS. Putting a dollar value on it can help them realize that this needs to be taken seriously.

Salixx said:

Thank you everyone. This morning is deafeningly quiet, usually my roosters are crowing and the hens are making a racket with their egg songs. Not a peep this morning.



I am planning on finalizing the compensation this weekend. I am losing hope that the missing birds are still alive.

As for the dogs - the only reason my father, who is disabled on top of this, didn’t shoot them was because a different neighbor’s house was directly behind the dog. If not for a safe shot, they would already have a dead dog. I am located in Vermont where we are legally allowed to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock including poultry.

On a positive note, the two ducks I have in a large duck crate are getting better and seem in good spirits. One has a soft tissue injury and was limping. The other couldn’t walk at all due to a dislocated pelvis. The vet put it back in and she is now able to hobble around and stand like a normal duck.

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Good to hear. Best with the finalization.

Oh, my ex in-laws were (are, if still alive) in Guilford. Beautiful non-working farm they have.

NatJ said:

I would consider the cost of damage, including the replacement costs and the vet bills, to be important because of what it might teach that owner: those dogs are causing ACTUAL PROBLEMS. Putting a dollar value on it can help them realize that this needs to be taken seriously.

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Oh believe me I agree!!! But I’m thinking also a law suit. Not just settle it outside of court. Make it documented. Change has to start somewhere. And if one person does it and starts a chain, these kinds of problems probably won’t go away but could create an impact. People who own dogs and have no control over them need to take responsibility and ownership. Being a dog owner is more than just feeding, watering, walking, playing etc with your dog. It’s being responsible for your dog and your dogs action.

I’m not ranting at you… . It’s just so sad to see all these posts about dogs getting chickens and it keeps happening. Especially when the dogs have caused problems before. I just really feel these owners aren’t going to change anything without a judge telling them to. And they may not even then but if they don’t do what a judge has set before them, the consequences are much more.

racyfamily said:

But I’m thinking also a law suit. Not just settle it outside of court. Make it documented.

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People complain when they need to pay for a new appliance or for car repairs or for an unexpected vet bill for their own pet. If the owner does settle out of court, they are still paying for two vet bills and the other costs-- it may be high enough for them to sit up and take notice. That's in addition to the citation and fine from the sheriff (mentioned in the first post), so there clearly is some documentation as well.

I am outraged that this owner has not been prosecuted and the dogs have not been removed from them! It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure they are not aggressive, they obey commands and that they are not roaming freely terrorising the neighbourhood! We have 3 (rescue) dogs that have been trained (1 we had to get a professional in ) but that was what we had to do when we took him on, that was part of our responsibility. They are brilliant with people, other animals and my chickens. We have only had one incident, the farmer who keeps his sheep in the field next to ours called around to say our biggest dog (only a puppy at the time) had gone into his field, although he wasn’t chasing his sheep, they had gotten a fright and started running. He was concerned that this could escalate. Quite rightly he could of shot our dog. It is really nice he came and spoke to us. Straight away we installed a freedom fence and trained our dogs so they knew not to cross the boundaries. If my boys ever done anything like this, I’d be devastated that I had let them down. How long before these dogs attack a small child! I would prosecute and try to get enough evidence to have these dogs removed from their owner. Make sure you get every penny that you are owed. It’s disgusting that this owner clearly doesn’t have a conscience and they are not taking responsibility. Good luck and best wishes