Alaskan's Journal

[drstratton]

Which is why... it doesn't matter how much I grow to hate the cold, I could NEVER move back to that many people!

Talking of people.... neighbors lost track of their husky, for the SECOND TIME, and it had fun with my poultry.

All of the poultry were locked up, but the dog popped open the coop door and let himself in.

3 leghorns dead, my only pencilled rock, one old Spitz, and one muscovy drake.

2 of the dead leghorns, and the old Spitz, were hanging on but looking bad last night. No obvious wounds, so it was internal or stress... Anyway... kid 2 refortified the coop this morning, and found those dead. So, since he knew I was coming home in an hour or 2, and would then be loading up to go to the dump... had left the last 3 corpses at the front door.


So... I drove up to an eagle that had already found them.

View attachment 123794

I'm so sorry. I just lost 3 hens to a hawk. Hope the reinforcements keep the dog out.

 

[SageHill]

Grrrrr damn dog. So sorry it happened. Wild life is one thing, someone's dog on the loose is another.

 

[Alaskan]

Grrrrr damn dog. So sorry it happened. Wild life is one thing, someone's dog on the loose is another.

Agreed.

And clearly my setup, though VERY rustic, has been fine with the wandering lynx.

But people that choose to keep a husky as a pet (they are great sled dogs, but as house pets need a VERY excellent yard, or keep them on a line at all times)..... well, I am not happy.

Blaaaah!!!!!

 

[Alaskan]

Do you practice SSS?

Shoot/Shovel/Shut up

I would be tempted.

I fantasize about it... but I know it isn't the fault of the dog... and the dog is beautiful as well as very well behaved. If told "STOP" he will drop the chicken he is currently killing.

 

[drstratton]

I fantasize about it... but I know it isn't the fault of the dog... and the dog is beautiful as well as very well behaved. If told "STOP" he will drop the chicken he is currently killing.

It's definitely not the dogs fault! Hopefully the neighbors are aware and are now taking steps to keep him fully contained.

 

[SageHill]

The huskies definitely need a job. One of my students has them - great dogs, but she definitely knows how to train and handle.

 

[fuzzi]

I fantasize about it... but I know it isn't the fault of the dog... and the dog is beautiful as well as very well behaved. If told "STOP" he will drop the chicken he is currently killing.

It's not the fault of the dog, but your chickens are still dead. Will the dog's owner pay you damages?

 

[farmerjan]

Regardless of all the reasons to "excuse the dog" and his perfect manners and training... the fact remains that he knows where there is entertainment, in the form of attacking and killing your chickens... he will be back again and again...
And they do need to pay for the losses, especially since this is the 2nd time around... what happens in the 3rd time around????

 

[Alaskan]

Regardless of all the reasons to "excuse the dog" and his perfect manners and training... the fact remains that he knows where there is entertainment, in the form of attacking and killing your chickens... he will be back again and again...
And they do need to pay for the losses, especially since this is the 2nd time around... what happens in the 3rd time around????

I fully agree.

We had increased security, mostly fences, after the first attack, since I was thinking after the first time, it was likely he would be back .. clearly we missed the security of the door!

Son #2 reinforced everything. We added a dog proof latch. I am sure that the dog will be back, he found "fun".

HOWEVER, in all of the years that I have had chickens, with occasional decimating attacks from dogs... THIS IS THE FIRST TIME that the dog owner HAS OFFERED to pay, and has paid!!

The first time, the wife was very happy to pay the money that I asked.

This time, the husband brought me flowers, a vase, a VERY sweet card, and 400 in cash. 400 for one muscovy drake, and 4 laying hens (or was is 3 layers? I will have to check in the morning), and one very old not-laying hen as well as the deeply apologetic card, definitely made me feel better.

And... he had texted to ask if I was home, to drop "stuff" off, I had no idea what. I told him I was next door at the church working, but would be home soon....

Anyway, when he dropped it all off, he also offered, for free and whenever, to help out at the church with anything I might need. He said he enjoyed seeing the church from his property.

I told him I would LOVE any and all help with shoveling snow.

He sounded like he will help out.

Nothing to shovel now, so we shall see...

 

[Baymule]

Everyone should have a responsible neighbor like that. Sad for the lost poultry but you are blessed that your neighbor is such a good man, and his wife too.