If you are squeamish about animals and their wicked ways, don’t read any further. When you own chickens out in the country, you are continually trying to protect them from predators. You build a safe and snug chicken house with a cover over their run to prevent loss from eagles and hawks. Your bury chicken wire and other things beneath to stop burrowing animals.
What I’d forgotten was how two determined dogs can turn a morning into a nightmare.
I’ve been watching my mother’s dog for the last couple of months. He is a terror, and my dislike for him borders on being murderous. He digs up the gardens which aren’t fenced. He drags things out of the garage into the yard and causes a mess. Worst for him, he reminds me of my former stepfather whom I loathe. For a tiny bit of background, Tom divorced my mother when she was at her sickest. They say people pick dogs like themselves, and here, the truism fits. He is a very bad dog (VBD).
Add to this one Labrador puppy which we brought home a few weeks before my mother’s surgery, and the babysitting of her dog. He is one bad puppy (OBP) and Neville’s partner in crime.
So, with a mug of tea beside me, I was working on some writing this morning when I heard a bird making distress calls outside my back door. I thought it was a goose because they abound here, and it sounded like one. Plus, I checked on the chickens this morning, and they were safe, laying eggs and enjoying their day-after-Thanksgiving feast.
After a couple of minutes the sound didn’t abate, so I ran outside, and to my horror, Tap was after one of my Barred Rocks. Feathers were flying, and he was happy as a OBP could be. I grabbed Tap around the collar and held him. The chicken took off up the drain pipe of the garage (which is just wide enough for a hen). Thinking she was safe, I yelled for Bill and ran up the hill to the barn where the chicken house is. That’s where I found Neville and another Barred Rock hen upside down with her legs in the air. She appeared dead, but as soon as I shooed away the dog and and grabbed her up to my chest, one eye popped open and viewed me warily.
I know they’re just chickens, but I nearly began to cry. However, there was no time because chickens were out and about, and we needed to get them back to safety. I checked her over pulling leaves away and held her while Bill and I rounded up the others.
When chickens are chased by wild animals, they go into shock and stay that way awhile. I put her in the pen away from the other chickens so that she could recover. We got everyone inside, but the doors were all secure. Finally, we found the hole where the two awful dogs launched themselves through the chicken wire pulling it away from the boards. Chicken wire is tough stuff, but a determined VBD with a OBP can rip it away from the posts. I think they were actually after the Thanksgiving leftovers, but once they discovered how fun it was to chase chickens, they went after them.
Meanwhile, the other hen was in the pipe, and Tap crawled up the pipe after her. I’m not sure how he made himself that small. I called him out, put him indoors with my son while Bill and I tried to discover (a) if then hen was dead; and (b) how to get her out.
The pipe is too long for two rakes taped together end to end. We spent an hour working on it, and we were sure she was dead, but suddenly, she started to cluck and walk slowly to the end of the pipe.
Chickens are tough stuff too.
I can’t express how relieved I am that she is fine. However, she won’t come out so we’ve rigged up a dog carrier for her to walk into, and put the grate back over the other end.
I hope she comes out this afternoon.
Now, I must check on my other girl. Later.
Oh dear! I would be upset as you! We have chickens too and love them! They are living beings and we do get attached to them.
Hope all goes well and the dog gets to leave soon… he is showing the pup too much ill- mannered behavior 🙂
try to have a happy day!
That was a terrible ordeal for the chickens, poor things! I would have cried too if anything happens to my cats,. Even when they get into a fight with the neighbour’s cat, I would be close by to get them apart because I know there will bruises after that…
Can you see if someone else would take Neville for awhile? Or is that too much to ask of a friend?
My dogs are the reason I can’t bring myself to keep chickens. Harold the schnauzer wouldn’t know what to do with one, and Maude probably wouldn’t have any interest, but tiny little Gracie would be a terror, I just know it. 😐
And I know from experience how hard it is to keep a dog out of someplace s/he decides to go.
So scary, Dee, but I’m glad it looks like it is under control now.
I wish he could go somewhere else, but he’s worn out his welcome everywhere. I won’t go into the gory details, but he has bad doggie habits of all kinds. 🙂
It was a bit scary, but I think the chickens are safe again. Just a long day.
Dee chickens aren’t “just” chickens .. you are attached to them at some level .. you don’t want to see them suffer or die girl ! .. Saying this is actually funny because I am terrified of them .. some kind of weird little girl obsession that they will try to peck my eyes out .. I know .. too silly right?
Dogs .. some of them that have any terrier blood can’t resist going after animals such as this .. but then again when any dog is not sleeping or eating .. they are like kids .. they get bored and subsequently get into TROUBLE .. but I am so glad all of your chickens are safe ! .. Your mom’s dog and her ex are very bad creatures 😉
Joy
Yes, both are very bad actors. Gosh Joey, if you knew any chickens, you wouldn’t have this phobia. All but the Rhode Island Reds are the most gentle creatures, and even the Rhode Island Reds are wonderful. You’re right, I don’t want to see any animal or person suffer. All is well now. Good thing I didn’t go shopping on Black Friday though huh?
It is too bad your puppy is being taught bad lessons by the evil dog. I am glad they didn’t actually kill your chickens. I have heard that once a chicken killer always a chicken killer. Sad indeed. Labs don’t usually kill they are bred to retrieve with soft mouths. However terriers are bred to kill. I don’t envy you your predicament.
Lisa, ultimately, the one chicken did die. The other didn’t. However, another Araucana was out of the pen still, and one of them got her later. Very sad day. Some days are like that though. Well, this Lab doesn’t mean to kill them, but they are so fun to chase, and he scares them to death I think. I don’t know what Neville has in him. He is a mix of many bad characters. (LOL)
What a day! I hope your new dog doesn’t learn any more tricks from VBD. I bet you are right the dogs were after the leftovers. Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving leftovers? Blessings to you and the hens.
I hope not either. I do love Thanksgiving leftovers myself so I understand how it happened. Blessings to you too my friend.
I’m so sorry this happened Dee! Poor chickens and poor Dee. I hope every one recovers and has a better day tomorrow.
What a harrowing time you must have had. Any dog named Neville, sounds evil I have to say. Terriers are not my favorite either. Poor chickens. I know what a bird looks like in shock, they appear dead. My cockatoo and my husband had a fight and my poor bird ended up thrown against the fireplace. The bird laid on his back, unconscious, and I rushed him to the vet. Then he came to and was back to normal. Had I known ahead of time about birds and shock, I could have saved the money. I hope all the chickens came through unscathed. They are a beautiful bunch.
Hi Donna, it was harrowing. So, you’ve seen them play dead too? It’s a weird thing. I know they do that because many creatures like dogs want nothing to do with them once they are dead. Dogs just usually want to chase and play with them. Now, as for terriers, I do like them because my mother bred Scottish Terriers for years, but they are tough stuff.
Dee, I’m sure you’re giving thanks for the happy ending, but what a morning! Poor chickens! I might be putting Neville in a doggy carrier and leaving him there for an extended period. I hope Tap forgets this bad influence training from his evil partner in crime.
We had a shetland shepherd mix dog years ago (he was a sweet pooch). One night I forgot to shut the chicken house door after they went in for the night. At 4am the next morning when my hubby went to milk the cows, he found 27 dead chickens that Shad had innocently “rounded up”. Oh my, what a morning!
I hope you and your family had a very happy Thanksgiving.
Kerri, I want to put Neville in a doggy carrier and take him back to my mother. And, I will very very soon. Oh you poor thing and your poor chickens! I’m so sorry. Hope your Thanksgiving was special too.
Dee, I’m sorry … this gives new meaning to the term Black Friday.
Cindy, it’s just good I stayed home. 🙂
how horrible! i am just glad there were no chicken casualties. is there anyway to train these dogs not to attack the chickens? whew.
EM, ultimately, the puppy can be taught because I taught our other Lab, but mostly they need to stay up in their double run. It’s just safer for everyone.
Oh, dear, what a day! I bet it throws off their egg laying, too.
Whew! What a morning! Your storytelling had be on the edge of my chair. Glad all ended up OK. Good luck dealing with this troubled dog. Your birds are beautiful.
Missy, it was pretty much a horrible morning, but I’m glad they’re all okay. You can bet I’ll be watching both VBD and OBP very closely.
How horrible. I’ve heard that once a dog has attacked chickens they will keep doing it. You’ll need to watch out from now on I suspect.
Wicked chicken stories Dee. Such a shame. Your birds are beautiful. H.
Thanks Helen, wicked boys indeed.
They are beautiful birds – I WOULD have cried.
Esther
Well, Esther, I did get a bit teary.
MMD, it was pretty bad, but I think things are calm now. As soon as Mom can take back stupid Neville, I’m giving him to her (maybe in a body bag).
I know Barbara Wodehouse said there are no bad dogs, but even she might change her mind after reading of these two. What a horror for your poor chickens.