The Poultry Keeper

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

My poor girls!!

I had a frantic phone call from my daughter who was luckily home fro Christmas from Uni

A neighbour's jack Russel had got into our garden and attacked my chickens. It had a really good go at most of them, totally terrorized them.

My daughter caught them all (took an hour) and put them in the coop - several of them are battered and beaten. She kept an eye on them for the rest of the afternoon. 3 of them are in a very sorry state.

The neighbour did nothing to control the dog and seemed to blame us because it squeezed through a tiny gap under the gate. He has been up this evening with apologies but I warned him that some or all could die of shock and if they did I wouldn't be happy - they are my girls!!!!!!!

Wilma (Welsummer) laid an egg within minutes of being back in the coop so did one of the ex batts (the first since their first week here)

IF they survive the shock it's bound to put them off lay!!!!!

The blasted dog then rampaged through next doors chickens and then a garden 5 or 6 doors down - with the owner ineffectively calling it's name - it was up to my daughter to catch it and stop its savage attacks!!!

I'm seething and worried Crying or Very sad

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria

You need to report it to the police it is a danger !

Big D · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 361 Location: Cumbria

RSPCA or police need calling.
This Gentleman is not being a responsible owner and the dog is becoming a danger. It could be a child next!!!!!

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

It amazes me the amount of people who haven't taught their dogs a basic recall - but still allow them off the lead

And people who get working dogs and don't understand/exercise them enough - they think a 2 minute walk in the field 'out back' will be enough - grrrrr!!!!!!!!!!

Is there anything I can do to help the chickens recover? there's no obvious injuries - but lots of missing feathers

HELP I don't want to lose any!!

Stujan · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 465 Location: East Sussex

I am so sorry for you and your girls , this dog and dog owner negligence makes me so very angry. Yes as already said , call the police and at the very least get an incident number . May I also suggest keep a respectable distance from this person and avoid getting involved in any compensation discussion , at least for two weeks as your girls are likely to be in shock and it will take time to see what damage has occurred. Make notes of what time the attack happened , how entry was gained , and all facts etc . If a claim is going to be made then only facts of incidence and comments by the dog owner will be relevant.

Meantime keep your girls inside for a few days , warm dry and calm , try not to over feed or treat them as thier digestive system may well be in shock too , keep thier water a little warmer than usual , if you feel any might need a visit to the vet then keep exact records of details , costs , etc .
I wish you well and hope your girls are ok .

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

Thank you, I'll do as you advise and keep my fingers crossed

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hope they recover Tia Maria. I wonder how that guy would feel if a large dog terrorised & savaged his little darling?? Evil or Very Mad

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

He was lucky that our lurcher had gone to work with the OH - cos she doesn't like intruders - particularly of the jack Russell variety!!!

No one's at home today and i'm not home until its almost dark, so i don't know how they are today Sad

CP · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

I hope they recover for you Tia. What a horrible thing to happen. He should be able to contol his dog or not let it off the lead. Twisted Evil

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

Oh dear! This has brought back horrible memories for me of when a neighbour's dog got in to my daughter's beloved OEG bantams and killed them. She bought replacements with her own pocket money and one year later the same dog broke in again and killed the lot. I called the police then and a lovely old fashioned country cop came down, took all the particulars (including daughter's diary entry of previous attack) He then called on the dog's owner, gave her a serious talking to and relieved her of £40 which he passed to my daughter. It didn't 100% make up for it, but went towards a pen of beautiful Japanese bantams. The dog disappeared - pity it wasn't the owner too as she was the one at fault not the dog.

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

I don't think that kind of old fashioned copper exists any more - i wish they did, sometimes a good telling off is what is needed.

These neighbours are very new, don't know what they are like or what kind of concience they have - though at least he had the gumption to knock on our door and mumble an apology.

My OH says I was quite hard and unforgiving with him - most unlike me - but I am worried about my chooks, I will be gutted if any die.

I think this dog may be a problem - the few weeks they have lived there, you often here them trying to get it back.

Chuckie Chick · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 49

I hope they will be OK Tia. I have 3 Yorkies who all run around with my Ladies, sometimes they chase them, because they think they are playing but come the instant I call them. Irresponsible dog owners make my blood boil

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

Yes my girls are used to 4 dogs running around but this was totally different - so far so good, no one's died. but it's dark when I get home so I don't know how they are in themselves

fingers crossed Smile

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

If they're all still alive they'll be fine. Chicken are remarkably resiliant. I would ask the neighbour to keep their terrier on a running chain when outside, until they've secured their garden or made a proper dog pen. JRs are difficult to train, although it can be done, but they'll still catch and kill anything that runs. That's why they're excellent ratters.

Tia Maria · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

No eggs for 2 days Crying or Very sad

But they're all still alive I break up for Christmas today - so I'll be able to let them range the garden again see if there's any lasting damage