Period dogs on period leads

[Moo]

A strong wire fence across the end of their garden would keep the dogs in without spoiling the view too much.


When we moved into our last house with a pair of lurchers, the first thing we did was to erect 2m high wire fences round the perimeter. Which worked for a while, until one dog learned to dig its way out, and the other had no trouble jumping over the fence (our builder was most impressed when he saw said dog clear the fence from a standing start).
Luckily there were masses of old kerbstones lying around, so that stopped the digger, and we foiled the jumper by extending the uprights by a couple of feet and stretching wire between them.

 

[tobydog]

Joce - bit late of me to respond but sorry to hear the news. How are the injured ones doing?

To happen twice in such a short period is bad. I know previously you were looking for suggestions on fencing and how you could intermingle this with your hedging. Would this terrier have got in regardless? Trouble is, as mentioned already, dogs can jump high even from a standing start.

We've had to stop our three free-ranging in the garden, at least for the spring and early summer. They were doing a lot of damage to the borders and anything new or spring-like was gone. Also, whilst our dog is now used to them, the mother-in-laws dog is just too young and reckless to trust with anything at the moment. It's only a matter of time before he gets them. Thankfully they are both daschunds so even with a running jump they're never going to clear a 3ft fence!!

The girls already have a 3m x 2m fully enclosed run so I built them an adjoining play pen 3m x 3m last month. I used a 3ft fence so we didn't start looking like a zoo which meant we had to clip their wings to keep them in (only one escapee so far and it's the one we thought would do it) and, whilst they seem happy, I am concerned that I've opened them up to anything that can get in over the top. Having said this, they are pretty stupid and they even let the dog sniff and lick them. He got closer than we did!

Looking back on what was thankfully a lighter note, the wing clipping was all rather traumatic. We made the mistake of letting the dog in the garden thinking it would be fine because we were in the pen causing havoc. The dog must have thought we were trying to kill them and joined in from the otherside of the fence!! I unintentionally pinned the Light Sussex against the netting when I caught her but unfortunately so did the dog from the other side. He ended up with huge mouth full of white feathers but we finally ended up with three birds that fly lopsided. It was a comedy of errors at the time but did show that you can never take the dog out of a dog. He doesn't have much contact now that the girls are in the pen but we'll need to watch him later in the summer. I'm sure he'll be fine.

 

[philpjuk100]

Doris`s encounter with the dog does not seem to have stopped her apetite for grapes! my neighbour may be moving as he does not have the time to keep on top of his very large garden,fencing the river is too large a project but he tells me he may fence off a part of his lawn to keep them in.phil

 

[Flyfisher]

We are on good terms with"them next door"but can not see any way to prevent this happening again so may have to keep the chucks in which is a shame,phil.

No no no no, etc. It is THEIR responsibility to keep THEIR dogs out of YOUR garden - no exceptions. Would you accept having to keep the children inside because of their dogs in your garden? Of course not.

Quite right. At least Philip's neighbours sound responsible enough to recognise their responsibilities, which bodes well for a resolution - even if that means they have to fence their dogs off from the river. Also those dogs sound more like 'retriever' type dogs since they didn't actually harm the hens. Terriers have completely different instincts, as Joce sadly knows.

 

[MdB]

On a lighter note regarding dogs: http://textfromdog.tumblr.com/page/3
Warning - it has some rude words in it (ok quite a few rude words).

(link goes to page 3, press previous page to go to page 2 & 1 - It reads a bit better that way)

 

[JoceAndChris]

Toby - thanks for the post and enquiry after the fluffs, they're all surviving which in the case of Mrs Coaxer beggars belief. I won't put up a photo as it's probably too upsetting but she's walking about looking like someone's taken a great cleaver to her back. Sukey Tawdry and Harriet won't let me near their wounds so I can't really assess the situation but they're also pottering about. Certainly I think a lot of really wonderful healing has taken place since Saturday which makes you just astounded at how tough these creatures can be! The little silver laced Wyandotte has gone back to her clutch of eggs and tries to peck my hand off if I go to examine her, but I've caught her leaving the nest for a very quick snack. She was in a heap with a large tear and half her feathers missing. As none have died I'm starting to allow myself to hope, though I've heard they can die even a week after the attack, so we have to stay realistic about this.

The fencing that I carried out worked well - but there's still a hundred metre vulnerable section. That's where the dogs are getting in. That boundary is a jungle of giant beech trees, old barbed wire fences, patchy hedge laying and masses upon masses of damson bushes so it's a really tricky one to fence, which is why nobody has in a hundred years or so, but we need to get onto it. In the interim I plan to restrict their freedom and keep them behind their electric netting a whole lot more. The trouble is that with 28 you quickly get faecal overload in any kind of non free ranging situation, and that quickly leads to disease. Really, we ought to have fenced the spinney before expansion but you live and learn.

It sounds like you've got your girls well under control and I hope Mr Fox will not make a daytime visit to that play pen - I haven't seen a fox up here for a couple of years so I reckon soneone's been shooting them.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Phil - really shameful behaviour from your neighbour, I'm afraid Chris would have shot the dogs without a moment's hesitation. You're being very nice about the whole thing.

 

[philpjuk100]

I get on well with my neighbours and even quite like the dogs its just keeping them and our chucks apart that is the problem.every time he increases the fencing they find another place to enter.We had one of the dogs back in our garden about an hour ago but saw it in time to drive the hens into their run.I was carrying the pellet gun in case the dog got to the hen before we did.Its not a "value" thing,you know,expensive dog versus cheap hen that stops me shooting the dog,it is just that the dog does not understand so I really will only shoot it if I have to.The neighbour saw me carrying the gun when he retrieved his dog so knows my intentions.phil.

 

[JoceAndChris]

What a difficult situation Phil. I hope it gets sorted out.

 

[philpjuk100]

joce! Hats for cats and mittens for kittens by ToScarboroughFair on Etsy

 

[Coz]

Joce - so sorry to read about the horrendous problem with your chucks. Have not been on here for a while as we moved to our new place (still in Lincolnshire) in March and are in the throes of lots of work. Hope they all make a full recovery. I know some people think "they are only chickens" but they are all characters - My three girls are all completely different and make me laugh so much. We have a Border terrier and love her dearly but would never let her anywhere near the chucks. Keep your chin up - and hopefully they will be ok .

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Coz, they all seem recovered and two attacked ones are mummies as of yesterday!

How is the new place? Hope you're enjoying every moment, the first few months are so exciting.

 

[Coz]

We are enjoying being here much more than the place we used to live. Everyone is friendly and there is much more of a village atmosphere. Plenty to do though. We thought because the place was a youngster (only built in the 60's/70's there wouldnt be much to do - how wrong can you be? We are having to strengthen all the joists in the roof before we decorate each room. But - on a positive note - I have just ordered my new Everhot cooker which I had been lusting after. The chucks have settled in well as have the bees. We seem to have a steady stream of visitors too which didnt happen at the old place. In one way I am sad as we have always had period properties and love old houses but in another way we are able to enjoys beautiful views from every window and the bungalow seems to have a really happy cosy feeling.
How are your chickens recovering? I hope they make a full recovery. I told my hubby about what happened and he is now wanting to get a shotgun - just in case!

 

[Penners]

Joce - we've been away for several weeks and I've only dipped into PPUK occasionally. Hence my lateness on this thread.

I'm so sorry to hear of this distressing situation for you and Chris. I know I've poked a bit of fun at your poultry in the past, but this must have been horrible for you. And for Chris, having to kill the dog.

I'm very glad that the police have been supportive.