Isabel Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) My favourite hen, an Orpington, was killed this morning. I'm trying to figure out who or what killed her and would welcome views please. We have a 20 wk old Labrador pup. A fortnight ago she got into the hens and was chasing them around, albeit playfully. Subsequently, hubby strengthened the netting, pegged down the base etc although it's not electrified just now. She hasn't tried to get in since and nor has she been spotted showing any interest whatsoever in them. The hen was found, cavity eaten out, head gone. The other two hens unharmed. The reason I'm worried about the dog is that when I was calling her before taking eldest to school, she took about two mins to come. Usually she's around the house and it was only 20 mins since DH had been out and fed her. However, she didn't have any sign of feathers, blood or bloating and hasn't been sick. And actually thinking about it, I can't see how she would have got back through the netting so quickly, had she got through it in the first place. She didn't go back to the orchard, where the hens are, when I let her out after the school run. And at 20 weeks, I tend to think that she would have been more likely to play with her, rather than eat her. The head being gone sounds more wild animal, I hope? Thanks Isabel Edited October 1, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Sounds like the dreaded fox. Poor hen. Surprised your girls didn't kick up a big fuss though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Awful as it sounds, would far rather it was a fox than the dog! I'm surprised the fox didn't take her with him .... unless disturbed when DH was down there. There could well have been a lot of noise but the hens are a good way from e house. We've seen foxes traipsing through the orchard a few times and frequently in the fields beside us - I guess we've been lucky thus far. It's a risk we take in letting them FR. I keep reminding myself what a lovely life she had but am really quite sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I've had labs for years. After a few pecks on the nose they get the idea who's boss. That fox will come back, you need to do something with the other girls. Your right they would normally take the hen with them, but they also kill all the hens just for fun. It must have been disturbed. Poor you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Thanks Sonya. Yes, the other girls are a huge worry. They're locked in for now but I'm going to have to get a battery for the electric fence and fence them into an enclosed area rather than FR .... will also mention to the farmer next door who would be more than happy to keep an eye out for it and take aim with his shotgun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 sounds like a hungry fox probably a youngster as the best bits were eaten on the spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 It was the pup I just let the other two girls out whilst I was outside. Pup had been in her run all day so I let her out too. Less than 5 mins later, I called pup whilst walking back towards hens, saw birds circling and heard a racket. Don't think I have ever run so fast - got the pup with one of the other girls pinned down. Huge sighs of despair. The hen is absolutely fine and the dog came when I called her off but, boy do we have a problem. First step is to make the hens safe. The bigger challenge is going to be in training the pup that they are not for her. My poor dead hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Oh, so sorry to hear this I think you need to get really secure fencing to protect your hens. My dog is a terrier x and has had a couple of my girls. The only answer for us was a WIR with weldmesh panels. We had chicken wire before we got the dog but she chewed her way through the wire into the pen and got a couple of hens. Now, with the weldmesh being so strong, all she gets is a sore nose for her efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Oh bless you, what a nightmare. I have a couple of griffon's and my only worry before getting the hens was that the dogs would be troublesome but the funny thing is they are so protective of them. They all FR together and if my friend brings her puppy round while the girls are in the enclosure my boys pace up and down to protect them.....guess it's just luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 It's a tough one, I know. Dogs can be trained around chickens but once they see them as prey it is hard to stop them. One of mine was attacked by a friends retriever's a few months back who had escaped from her garden (the pair circled my garden for 20 mins and noticed one chook suddenly missing) and while I did not see the attack, I knew it was him as hen came home after 24 hrs minus her tail (and badly scratched back) which to this day has never grown back. She was lucky. I have two small dogs, the Lhasa apso loves to wander around sniffing as many bums as possible, the little Bichon Frise will single out a white leghorn for a merry chase. Even though they have not harmed a chicken I am aware that 'pack mentality' could kick in if they so choose, so am always wary. Once newbies have grown fully (and in confidence) I relax more as they are not so flighty. Only problem I have is newbies keep 'appearing' by accident so could be a while before I relax!! Your dog is still a pup so with a bit of work may still be taught that they are not to be touched or 'played' with in time. Patience is key and hope you get there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heth1986 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 How sad I wanted to give you a good news story from my garden though... When I bought my very first 2 hens I had an absolute disaster. My sister visited with her dog who promptly scaled the fence and helped himself to one of the girls. My dog, about 6 months at the time, thought this looked like great fun, also managed to get in the run, and took hold of the other hen. Thankfully she didn't kill her but she certainly came away with a mouth full of feathers to say the least. Obviously I made the run far more secure and my dog soon realised the chickens weren't for her and learned to ignore them. Now, 2 years on, my mutt will sit all day in front of the chicken gate as though she's guarding them. When they are let out to free range, she completely ignores them, even when they're pecking at her tail or flapping about. In fact, just last Sunday, I had the girls out free ranging whilst I was up a ladder picking plums and she chased a young fox off that had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. I trust her 99% with them now. And that's with a 'killer' rottweiler! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I still think it might have been a fox. I would have thought she would be a bit of a mess after doing that to a chicken. However, she obviously needs to be trained. Guess I've just been really luck with mine. I puppy walk guide dogs, behavior is obviously paramount. We use spray collars to correct bad behavior. Although with my own dogs an extremely stern telling off and hold them to the ground whilst your doing it. Use their collar so they can't wriggle away. There's so many techniques, guess you'll find your own. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks for being so nice everyone! I feel really bad about the hen - she was a gentle soul, only 3 although hasn't laid since last summer. Not a nice way to die. The other girls are safe for now - pup is being kept under house arrest and only allowed out under strict supervision. She's a good pup, intelligent and eager to learn - we obviously need to do more from our end. Sonya! If you see this, will you please tell me more about spray collars and correct use of them. We have spent a lot of time walking her off-lead through our ewes ... she will go for a look but comes back when called. We need to teach her to ignore anything that moves really. The other hens will either have to go back into a much smaller area with electric fencing or else we will have to try to secure the entire length of our garden (was once a 2 acre long and narrow field so there's quite a length) to patch up any holes she can get through. Hoping for a few dry days over the weekend! On a positive, chicken note ... down to two hens who aren't laying. When this is all sorted out its time for a couple of new girls as I resent buying eggs! Thanks again. Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Hi, I have replied personally. Only because it can get long winded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks Sonya, I've just replied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
