Feeling Rather Low

[dawn]

I had 6 months of chicken keeping without one problem or worry, but in the last 4 months I no sooner sort out one crisis than another happens. Yesterday a dog escaped from a house in the village, got into our garden and attacked the chickens. All he got was a mouthful of feathers, thanks to Pekins having such fluffy bottoms. The poor little hen has lost half her wing feathers and most tail ones. Her skin looks raw and bloody/bruised in one part but I think it's from the feathers being wrenched out rather than being bitten. The remaining feathers were all sticky, from dog slobber I guess.

Amazingly she doesn't seem too bad in herself, just looking a bit subdued. This all happened yesterday morning so hopefully she's got over the worst of the shock as I know that can kill them.

I've since learned that this dog keeps escaping, probably over his garden fence - we're just lucky he hasn't come our way before but he lives only a few doors away. I've shut the chickens up today but they only have a tiny run underneath their house and it isn't suitable for long. They've only just come out of 5 days in the run after the rooster was fighting (and losing to) the next door rooster who kept escaping - we spent Saturday putting up chicken wire on the 70ft fence between us.

I don't want to keep them penned up, we have a lovely big - and I thought safe - garden but I'm having to seriously consider it. I know it seems silly, but the thought of keeping them confined really upsets me as it wasn't my plan for how to keep them. I always planned for them to truly free range and they are so happy that way. It'll also mean making/buying a bigger run but I don't think we can make the garden dog proof - he got in by forcing his way through a 115ft yew hedge that must be 2/3ft thick at the bottom.

 

[Davidd]

Hello Dawn, sorry to hear about your ordeal
What i wouls suggest is you can try to make as big a run as possible-and then you can let them free range when you are around the garden. It is better to have them in a safe and secure run than loose and in danger of attack. If they are all pekins then a large run is perfectly suitable- they are not big birds so i am sure you can do a great job- even try to have a covered run if you can- that way nothing can get in and when you are not around to supervise them then they can still be out in the run enjoying themselves
regards, David

 

[victorias poultry]

Hi
I am sorry you had a dog attack, it is not nice when something like this happens, look on the positive side nothing died and you can see how he got in which gives you a chance to try and make it harder for the dog to get in.

 

[elmwood]

Hi Dawn
I am sorry to hear whats happened- and feel for you and the girls. As the others have said, a big covered run would seem the solution. I know exactly how you feel about them not been allowed to totally free range.

We have a very similar problem with our immediate next door neighbours large dog. The dog is such a nuisance and clambers to get over dividing fence yapping its head off. Its just a matter of time before he actually takes a run up to the fence and jumps over. More interestingly after threatening to contact Environmental Health about the incessant noise, (we now have to wear earrplugs to sleep), all has gone very quiet. No barking, in fact I am wondering if there is even a dog there anymore.

I hope you can get something sorted soon..... I got to the point I actually wanted the dog to rip into me, just so I can have something done about it!!!!!

Also, if I was to end up having to partially enclose our 5 girls, I would, because they would still have a lovely little life with fresh air, green grass, a loving NF mum- as I am absolutely sure yours have!!!! and life just wouldn't be the same without them would it??

Sharron X

PS have been advised to edit due to my contentious remarks regarding my experience with the police and neighbours dispute.

 

[dawn]

Thanks for the support, I think I will do as you suggest David. Our boundaries just can't be made totally dog proof so have been looking at runs on the web, as I don't have the ability and my partner doesn't have the time to make one. I've more or less decided on one that is a good size and can be moved regularly. We've got enough room for that so the ground can stay fresh - particularly if they can be out in the garden for part of the day.

We are very lucky Squeak was relatively unhurt and she laid an egg yesterday despite all the trauma.

I didn't see your post until after you'd edited it Sharron, but know how you must feel about the neighbour's dog. I like dogs, but when I went and spoke to the owner yesterday evening, and the dog was there, I didn't feel very friendly towards it to put it mildly.

 

[nnbreeder]

I'm glad that the attack was no worse then it was. And please don't feel bad twords the dog it was only doing what dogs do. The owner however should have the dog trained to be a better citizen.

Now as far as your ability to construct don't sell yourself short. You may bang your fingers a time or two or cut a board or wire wrong but hey, I went on my first carpentry job over 40 years ago and I still at times make errors. It's not a big deal.

Has your partner got tools? Some Sat. morning get them out and when the question is asked about why they are out just reply " I'm going to build a chicken run today." Bet it gets built straight away!!

Another idea is putting the electrified poultry netting just your side of the hedge. The dog has to come through literally nose first and that is the part you want to target. It won't hurt the dog and it will be something that he will not soon forget.

The wife's Airedales were trained to respect a fence in that manner and they will not cross a fence unless told to do so.