Last year, when we dug trenches along the pasture fences and buried chicken wire to prevent dogs from digging underneath and killing our animals, we neglected a section that is adjacent to several neighbors' backyards. Most of them also have fencing, so we were hoping that that would prevent stray dogs from coming through their yards to our pasture. However, when we went to move the hens out of the kitchen garden and back into the pasture last week, we discovered multiple places where dogs had dug underneath this winter, so today we went out in the wind and cold with more chicken wire, and dug and wove it into the fence line for another 80 feet.
This now gives us two pastures that are fully edged with buried wire, and we haven't lost a bird to dogs in months. Hopefully this streak will continue!
I was very grateful for my helpers, because they definitely made the process go much faster.
When the steers have a turn in this field, they'll complete the process of trampling all the dirt back in.
So far, the dogs will start digging a hole, run into the wire, and give up after an inch or so and try another spot. They'd have to tunnel more than 6" down, plus their body depth, and over a foot across under the wire in order to get around in. So far, none have been willing to put in the effort. Previously, they'd only have to get an inch or two under the loose fence edge, and then squirm underneath.
Here's hoping to a summer of happy, unmolested livestock!
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