Originally Posted by Aberdeenplotter

precisely the point.

I agree, but property as in physical house/garden/grounds I couldn't even be bothered to argue that point with the lady on the phone.

Chris, no collar with tag (contact details) is unlawful. I would press that home.

Awww - and a rescued baby blackbird to boot! Hope it and your remaining chook pull through, Chris, you old softie!

So sorry to hear all this. I know exactly how you feel. Soon after I got my girls a staff and collie cross escaped from their garden and attacked my hens.Fortunately OH was home and stopped it all with a neighbours help before they were actually killed. One had a broken wing and bite marks but amazingly survived it all. Owner was very apologetic but when they got in the second time I contacted dog warden who did visit her and make sure she had made her garden secure,owner did pay vet bill and offered to replace hens if necessary. She did start to comment that the hens should have been locked in somewhere.Soon stopped that line of thought,your dogs were in my garden lady!!!!
It was all very stressful and I feel for you and your children, they must have been very upset. How's your lone hen doing?

Originally Posted by VirginVegGrower

Chris, no collar with tag (contact details) is unlawful. I would press that home.

Well, I usually would.. but he's paid for the replacement of the hens, apologised (not worth much, but at least he did), I don't want to drag it out with the law and cause friction on this housing estate - in the corner that we're on everyone speaks, etc plus I wouldn't be surprised if I did push it further then I'd notice a scratch on one of the cars, a brick through the greenhouse or whatever - I don't know. I don't want to create an enemy, but if it happens again then I'll take it all the way to court if I have to.

Originally Posted by lettucegrow!

So sorry to hear all this. I know exactly how you feel. Soon after I got my girls a staff and collie cross escaped from their garden and attacked my hens.Fortunately OH was home and stopped it all with a neighbours help before they were actually killed. One had a broken wing and bite marks but amazingly survived it all. Owner was very apologetic but when they got in the second time I contacted dog warden who did visit her and make sure she had made her garden secure,owner did pay vet bill and offered to replace hens if necessary. She did start to comment that the hens should have been locked in somewhere.Soon stopped that line of thought,your dogs were in my garden lady!!!!
It was all very stressful and I feel for you and your children, they must have been very upset. How's your lone hen doing?

I think I remember reading about it, never really hits home until it happens to you, does it?

She seems fine, she's eating (scoffed loads of corn heh), I'd put her back in the coop but she's out in the run again - which I've barricaded around the door - I'm going to put some heavy duty bolts on to re-inforce that part, as that's the weakest part of the run.

It's a shame that they weren't locked in the run, as I doubt the dog would have got into it - but I didn't get them to keep them locked up all their life. This time, I'll make double sure that my garden is secure for them.

Feel a bit bad about the blackbirds - they're chirping away in my garden looking for their baby, who's tucked away in the garage now!

You need to show them where the baby is ......otherwise they might not be around tomorrow for it.

They're always around - I just found the other chick, just the head of it

My neighbour feeds them - so tomorrow early, I'll put it out again - if they don't come back it looks like I'll be bladdy hand rearing it!

oh no .........
'tis dangerous in South Wales......

Yeah, lots of cats around here... which is why I'm not keen on leaving it in a box, up a tree! :/ I've hand reared chicks before, but never wild birds. Infact, if it's abandoned i'll take it to the local rescue centre!

fingers crossed for him.......

When stuff live that happening i always blame the owner. If you have a dog you have to look after him/her. I can understand the dog that maybe he felt like be in prison left alone. People like that have to pay and maybe take the dog away from them. I'm so sorry For you chickens

Just read this, sorry to hear about your loss, especially as your girls were all gelling together at last.

Thank you.

Well, the survivor has made it through the night.. Eating this morning, so she seems ok in her self, very spooked though - won't let me near her which is understandable.

Sad and unlucky chap.

Strange that if a dog worries sheep you have the right to shoot it/insist it is destroyed...if those are your livestock to feed your family..is there a difference?

....still I am sure that the death of the dog is not the happiest ending. However, I do feel that if he understands this is the likely endgame it would sharpen his resolve to avoid the dog escaping again. Cos sure as eggs iz eggs that dog will have a taste for it now.

Having lost pheasants, chooks, rabbits(3 yo son found head in sandpit!) and guinea pigs to foxes over the years the best ways to stop digging under is L-shaped wire...strip turf and bend chicken wire out at right angles 18 inches or so and re-bury. (or put in another strip) or run an electric wire just outside the perimeter. (bit pricey for kit tho)

you've done the right thing concreting by the door...always the weak point.

Think you've taken a very mature line on the issue....hope you have no more grief.

On a plus side, the parents of the blackbird are feeding it again so it's not been neglected

There's a farm up near me that has some stock of 12 week old pullets in according to their site - so I might call up to see if they have any older stock in.