[Eblana]

I am in a panic.  This morning while up at the plot our dog got out of our plot and grabbed one of our neighbours chickens which had managed to get out of the coup.  A lot of feathers came off her belly but there were no cuts or blood.  The neighbours said she was ok and left about 10 mins later not too concerned but I have been sick with worry since.  I checked on her every hour for about 4 hours after and she seemed fine - what do chicken peeps think?

[Geo]

She will be okay. It sound as if the dog has only managed to get a mouthful of feathers.

[joyfull]

I agree she will be fine if the hen is walking around, I have one with a wonky tail where one of my dogs grabbed her - she still lays eggs (well except for over winter) and is fit and healthy.

[Snoop]

One of our chickens decided she would help herself to some of our dog's biscuits. The dog, of course, was not happy about that and snapped. Chicken went off minus a clump of feathers, a bit shocked (the dogs are usually very respectful of the chickens), and the dog went on with her meal.

Your dog got away and the chicken got out. Six of one and half a dozen of the other and the chicken's none the worse for it apart from an almighty fright. I shouldn't worry about it.

The only problem will be if your dog now decides to go sniffing and digging around the coop. Then you might have to keep it tethered or leave it at home for a bit.

[Eblana]

She is fine this morning thank god and layer an egg, a bit bald under her belly, I am probably in a worse state than she is!!

The dogs will be staying at home from now on.  We have recently gotten a new addition 'Archie' a rescued 11 month old boxer who came to us in a bad state (he had been savaged by a pit bull and was very underweight).  Now that we have him fixed up, himself and our other 14 month German Shephard mix have become very unruly.  In the last week they have single handedly destroyed my garden, become unwalkable due to pulling and now this.  They behaved themselves all of yesterday because they knew that one of them was in trouble (locked them in the car and ignored them) but this morning they are full of beans and out rolling around the garden together.  I am going to get a dog trainer that has been recommended to me by the place where I got Archie from to come in and do some work with them before they become too much for me to handle.

Thanks everyone for putting my mind at rest, I managed to get a couple of hours sleep as a result of your posts.

[joyfull]

glad you managed to get some sleep and that she is fine this morning