Chicken-Killers Poll

kbaxter60 · Jun 17, 2019

We are having a heck of a time keeping chickens alive. First it was marauding raccoons. Today two neighbor dogs came to visit and almost killed one of our few egg layers. How is this best handled? We are on close to 12 acres and the neighboring places are typically as large. We should not be having neighbor problems, I think.

ZX9RCAM · Jun 17, 2019

Get video to present to neighbors, talk to them. Hopefully that's all it takes.
Otherwise....

gdr_11 · Jun 17, 2019

I have had problems with several neighbors who think they can let their dogs roam free because we all live on substantial plots of land. I try to avoid problems by making it clear up front that I do not want their dogs on my property ....period. I like dogs but I do not want their dogs on my side of the fence, nor do I want their kids riding their motorcyles, ATVs, etc. on my property. That usually gets me some dirty looks up front but I tell them I just want to avoid any problems later on.

With that said, several of the neighbors pay no heed and I have ended up calling, texting and knocking on their doors to tell them to get their dogs out of my property. I have good fencing up around all but 40 feet of the perimeter and there is no excuse for their animals being in my lot. For some of the ones that wander in from a mile or more down the road, I treat them to a little love from my garden hose or my CO2 bb gun from a distance far enough to just sting them a bit. I still have had to call LEO on one of the neighbors who had 8 pit bulls and no fence...officer who responded 3 times told me to just shoot them but I told him it was his job to take care of the problem before I made the dogs pay for their owner's stupidity. After being cited twice, this one neighbor got rid of all but one of his dogs and they keep that one inside.

I like dogs and have owned many but at my current stage of life I do not want a dog anymore but I can't go in my back acreage without it sounding like I am in the middle of a kennel anymore because there must be 50 dogs within a mile of my house. If I had chickens and someone's dog came in an killed them, I am afraid that would be one line they could not be able to cross again.

Army 1911 · Jun 17, 2019

Check the law,tell neighbors that you intend to follow the law to protect your livestock. Hand them a printed copy of the law. I am presuming the law allows one to shoot animals/dogs that harm or threaten your livestock.

kbaxter60 · Jun 17, 2019

gdr_11 said:
...

I like dogs and have owned many but at my current stage of life I do not want a dog anymore but I can't go in my back acreage without it sounding like I am in the middle of a kennel anymore because there must be 50 dogs within a mile of my house. If I had chickens and someone's dog came in an killed them, I am afraid that would be one line they could not be able to cross again.

I like dogs, too. Very much. We have three of our own. And THEY were the first chicken killers here. We got that sorted out (changed our system; everyone tells us once they kill you can't change it). We would just like to be able to keep a few layers around and have them enjoy old age.

And I hear ya about the fences (good fences; good neighbors). Unfortunately, we live on the edge of a steep hill and getting our place fenced is going to take just a little while. But it is in the master plan. That should definitely help, as it's all just open around here.

I am pretty sure I know where one of the dogs lives. He came after us on a walk one day (on a public road, btw). Hoping we can just have a chat and maybe they can help by keeping him leashed or fenced in.

Thanks for weighing in!

ZX9RCAM · Jun 17, 2019

As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words....

Younggun · Jun 17, 2019

Talk to the owners first.

We’ve had issues with neighbors dogs and only once has it come close to requiring drastic action.

Sadly, it’s the owners who are the problem and the dogs who pay the price. As soon as we started having issues with ours trying to roam a little far we spent $200 on a good shock collar. When we adopted another dog she wanted to roam and bark at the cows so we got another collar. It’s part of the cost of pet ownership.

Talk to the owners first. Let them know it’s a problem. Be nice, but let them know (assuming it’s legal in your area and there are no HOA rules, etc) that if left with no choice you will do whatever is necessary.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BRD@66 · Jun 17, 2019

Do you lock 'em up at night? Free range every day? Is your property fenced to keep dogs out? That's my story. All my chickens that've died via neighbor dog were AWOL- out of my fenced yard when they got got. Tango Sierra for the chicken. BUT if a neighbor dog gets into my fenced yard a first time, I discuss with owner. A second time, I'll kill the dog & neighbor'll know it's coming..

Sam7sf · Jun 17, 2019

If you’re neighbors a man, he will help you out or compensate you.

Be nice, know what the law allows you to do, do it by the book Incase your neighbor turns on you.

kbaxter60 · Jun 17, 2019

BRD@66 said:
Do you lock 'em up at night? Free range every day? Is your property fenced to keep dogs out? That's my story. All my chickens that've died via neighbor dog were AWOL- out of my fenced yard when they got got. Tango Sierra for the chicken. BUT if a neighbor dog gets into my fenced yard a first time, I discuss with owner. A second time, I'll kill the dog & neighbor'll know it's coming..

Yes, locked up at night. Free range MOST days, unless we are gone for most of the day. Property is not fenced, but maybe in the future.
The attack today took place right outside our front door, where the hens often hang out, hoping we will bring out snacks. We do plan to talk to our nearest neighbor...pretty sure one of the dogs is theirs...
I did check our local laws, which was another (good) suggestion here. Basically I would distill it down to this:

Owners should take steps to keep their dogs on their own property
Owners need to make sure they are current on vaccinations (rabies control is main thrust of the laws)
If the dog comes on your property and you SEE it attack/kill livestock, you are within legal bounds to shoot it.

That's all pretty common sense. I DON'T want to shoot a dog; I'd rather they just keep it home. Hopefully, they are reasonable dog owners and we won't lose any more chickens soon.

ZX9RCAM · Jun 17, 2019

Pictures are what you need...

kbaxter60 · Jun 17, 2019

ZX9RCAM said:
Pictures are what you need...

Pictures (or video) would be great. In my haste to save the hen, the dog decided it was no longer needed and ran down our hill. It didn't leave much time for family portraits, unfortunately. I got a pretty good look at both dogs and got a picture of the pile of feathers left behind. That will have to do for now. I expect they will be back now that they found a fun place to hang out.

MTA · Jun 17, 2019

What's SSS?

I live out in the country. Stray dogs are a way of life. My neighbor has a ton of chickens. Must be 20-25 hens and 3 roosters. I would kill a dog if if did anything to the chickens.

Chickens lay eggs and eat all kinds of insects. Stray dogs are usually aggressive and if they are going to disturb the peace, they are getting some buckshot

As far as neighbor's dogs, I would keep it civil and bring it up to them. If it happens again, no holds barred

robertc1024 · Jun 17, 2019

Shoot.
Shovel.
Shut Up.

HKShooter65 · Jun 17, 2019

My first, second and third thoughts are to have you communicate with the neighbor.

Dogs and chickens come and go and often present challenges.
Neighbors stay neighbors for, usually, many years.

Do unto others......
Hopefully your neighbor will be honorable, cordial and responsible.
Bad neighbors can cause so much angst!

Wishing you success.

baboon · Jun 17, 2019

Personally I would tend to think they are feral dogs some asshat has dumped. Everyone I know out in the sticks say kill cats & dogs on sight!

avvidclif · Jun 17, 2019

My neighbor has chickens, they roam as do my dogs, Lab and GSD. They ignore each other. Just the way it is, I don't have a clue why.

diesel1959 · Jun 17, 2019

ZX9RCAM said:
Pictures are what you need...

Because we all know how easy it is to be an actual eyeball witness to predation . . .

ZX9RCAM · Jun 17, 2019

Pictures of the dog, on your property.

In the act is a bonus...

diesel1959 · Jun 17, 2019

Last week, my three dachshunds were outside in my (completely) fenced backyard. My oldest, a thirteen-year-old female got torn up by a cat roaming at large. $600.00 vet bill for surgery--she suffered several small lung punctures and needed a couple dozen stitches. No, it wasn't a bobcat, and no, it wasn't a raptor. It was a cat. A cat that I've observed quite a few times sauntering through my backyard.

Houston and Harris County both have leash laws in full effect that do not permit dogs and cats to be allowed to roam at-large. Needless to say, a live trap has been obtained and the problem will be dealt with . . .

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