Clip one wing on each bird and that should keep them from going over a 4' fence. Akitas were bred to hunt bears, they are strongly prey driven. Obviously you must be the one to take responsibility for the situation. Can YOU put the dog on the chain rather than asking someone else to do it? Also, let your sister know what your birds are worth in dollars and cents. Tell her she will be expected to reimburse you for (a) medical bills, vet fees, for injured birds, (and call your vet ahead of time so you can let her know the base price for a vet visit); and/or (b) the cost of replacing dead birds her dog kills. For my birds, which are nothing special, I recently charged my neighbor $25, about the cost to replace a started pullet. At that, I did not include the cost of shipping had I actually decided to replace them. That would likely have doubled the cost. Once she knows her irresponsibility is going to hit her in the pocketbook, she may take the situation more seriously.
How to start free ranging?
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DemeterAD9
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We aren’t the type of family that argues or has massive feuds over such issues. It’s more of an “everyone should get along and if you have an issue you should talk it out” and “just learn to apologize and let it go”. Even if I did put her on the chain chances are high someone would of let her off it, be it one of the kids or an adult. Her dog has been a common cause of any drama between all 4 of us sisters. Said dog attacked my oldest sister’s dog twice, and our other sister’s dog once. I wish she had chosen a smaller/easier going breed. It’s led to some arguments and then tears. The dog is great with kids and people (who aren’t wearing hats), she just can’t be trusted with other animals.
I really didn’t want to have to make all these changes for one dog that comes over once a week. I think her seeing the attack first hand might of gotten the message across. But as you said, I have to be the one to take action if no one else will. I’ll have to chat with my dad and see about how I can secure another 3ft of fencing to the top of the run. I’ll also start clipping wings for the handful that regular jump out. Until then, I’ll be sure the dog is kept on a chain when she comes over.
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DemeterAD9
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Not much to report, they do put themselves to bed now without me having to herd them in. I give them their moistened mash in the run around 8:30pm and they usually go to bed shortly after. I'm thinking to set up a little jungle gym so they don't have to perch on the random scrap wood laying around.
One thing I can say is my frizzle hen is finally warming up to me. She's never perched on my leg before.
Little BJG pullet who survived the dog attack is doing fine. She doesn't seem phased at all. She looks to have about 4 tail feathers left.
I had to entice the flock to get close enough for pictures so their treat was tomato scraps and a handful of pellets.
My single bantam pullet is a bit of a loud mouth. About the size of a pigeon. Should be an EE based on her little muffs.
One thing I can say is my frizzle hen is finally warming up to me. She's never perched on my leg before.
Little BJG pullet who survived the dog attack is doing fine. She doesn't seem phased at all. She looks to have about 4 tail feathers left.
I had to entice the flock to get close enough for pictures so their treat was tomato scraps and a handful of pellets.
My single bantam pullet is a bit of a loud mouth. About the size of a pigeon. Should be an EE based on her little muffs.
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DemeterAD9
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Something got the EE roo a few weeks ago, he had gotten out of the run in the morning. His his head and neck were eaten along with part of one breast. I was gonna butcher him soon enough anyways because he was a jerk. Wings have since been clipped but the younger birds are molting again so I'll have to do it again once they are done.
Birds are being good now, the new top dog is keeping everyone at peace and I don't need to worry about getting jumped by the EE anymore. The only laying pullet (so far) has been returning to the coup to lay in the next box so no hidden nests thus far. My dogs and cat are still leaving the birds alone, they walk among the chickens doing their own thing. The BJG pullet in the middle foreground his the one who lost her tail feathers. Right as rain and soon to be indistinguishable from the others once her feathers grow back.
The roof of the coop can be seen in in the woods on the right, there's also a cat sitting to the left of the fire pit against the wood pile. She like to watch the chickens and hunt the chipmunks that hang around there.
Birds are being good now, the new top dog is keeping everyone at peace and I don't need to worry about getting jumped by the EE anymore. The only laying pullet (so far) has been returning to the coup to lay in the next box so no hidden nests thus far. My dogs and cat are still leaving the birds alone, they walk among the chickens doing their own thing. The BJG pullet in the middle foreground his the one who lost her tail feathers. Right as rain and soon to be indistinguishable from the others once her feathers grow back.
The roof of the coop can be seen in in the woods on the right, there's also a cat sitting to the left of the fire pit against the wood pile. She like to watch the chickens and hunt the chipmunks that hang around there.
- Sep 15, 2019
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I just opened the gate. I leave it open when the girls are out so they can get back in. I just plan on the head count when I go close the coop to make sure everyone is in. If not, I walk the area to find them. Not always sub but fortunately, the missing show up the next morning- most of the time. If I don’t want them out all day, I let them out late afternoon cuz once they’re out, I can’t get them in easy. And we have 11 acres and tolerant neighbors.
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DemeterAD9
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That right there is a dilema of mine. Despite clipping wings I still have a couple that get up on the fence. It is mainly the smaller pullets, 3 EEs in particular. Once they are out it is hard to get them back in. My family seems to think I can recall them whenever I want when I let them out. Yes I can get them all to come to me for treats but I can't get them all in the run. Had to catch a few yesterday so my sister's dog could come over and run around. Luckily I found a cheat, make an alarm call while in the run, they all take cover under the lean to, then close it off with a section of chicken wire that was installed while introducing the younger birds. After that simply open the gate and herd the naughty pullets back in. I clipped wings on 4 yesterday, several that were clipped previously molted and grew new flight feathers so I did the opposite wing this time. I don't like stressing them, now the flock is a bit skittish around me. I really need to get on the task of adding another 3ish feet to the fence.
I am afraid of making Pretty Boy, the top pick cockerel, aggressive towards me by messing with the girls. He is a good boy who romances the girls instead of chasing them relentlessly. While they were stuck in the run yesterday evening the white cockerel was harassing Pretty Boy's favorite pullet and he was doing all he could to stay between the two. When he couldn't get the target pullet he resorted to grabbing whoever was closest. I was already set on culling the white cockerel but was hoping to wait till he fills out more. The chasing isn't so bad when they are all out roaming the yard so I'll hold off as long as I can.
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DemeterAD9
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For a few weeks each Thursday I was would wait for the text asking me to keep the birds locked up so my sister's dog could come over. I didn't get a text a couple Thursday's ago so I let the birds out around 2-3pm. Then the family shows up, dog in tow. Words were said, specially "it's not my fault if she (dog) kills one of your chickens". And the excuse "I thought mom told you" to which I said "you talk to me, not mom". She's upset, I'm upset, everyone is upset. Instead of talking to me directly my sis was relying on our mother to tell me when to keep the birds in the run. No one told me otherwise and I didn't feel the need to ask for permission to let the chickens free range. So we spent the evening watching the dog like a hawk. Dog tried to stalk the birds, luckily she is a decent dog that can be recalled usually. Everything was okay.
Then last Thursday I kept the birds in. That didn't stop one red cockerel from jumping out (which he had never done before). I caught him and clipped a wing, his comb got torn in the process and the birds were all stressed. Not half an hour before the dog was to arrive one particularly timid pullet jumps the fence. Many of the pullets were going through a molt last time I clipped wings and I guess they have enough flight feathers to get over again. Sis arrives, I tell her a bird is out and she'll have to catch it (I wanted her to understand what I go through so her dog could run free). I watched the show, and she gave up as the pullet was freaking out. All the other birds were spooked into the coop by the commotion so I closed them in and opened the gate. Pullet walked right back in. Dog was able to run around.
After all this my sister and I have come to a compromise about her dog, she will come over every other Thursday so I should be able to enjoy free ranging my birds. That being said it's getting darker earlier and eventually the birds will be going to bed before she would get here anyways.
Pics of a few Sunday evening. They started exploring the deck which isn't ideal but oh well.
Then last Thursday I kept the birds in. That didn't stop one red cockerel from jumping out (which he had never done before). I caught him and clipped a wing, his comb got torn in the process and the birds were all stressed. Not half an hour before the dog was to arrive one particularly timid pullet jumps the fence. Many of the pullets were going through a molt last time I clipped wings and I guess they have enough flight feathers to get over again. Sis arrives, I tell her a bird is out and she'll have to catch it (I wanted her to understand what I go through so her dog could run free). I watched the show, and she gave up as the pullet was freaking out. All the other birds were spooked into the coop by the commotion so I closed them in and opened the gate. Pullet walked right back in. Dog was able to run around.
After all this my sister and I have come to a compromise about her dog, she will come over every other Thursday so I should be able to enjoy free ranging my birds. That being said it's getting darker earlier and eventually the birds will be going to bed before she would get here anyways.
Pics of a few Sunday evening. They started exploring the deck which isn't ideal but oh well.
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