Brand new to this

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Deja224

Deja224

In the Brooder
Sep 26, 2015
6
2
11
Southern NY
This may sound silly, but when do my chicks stay outside? They are 6 weeks and in a brooder. We had a few outside adventures in the chicken run. It is starting to get cold here in New York. How do I keep my black lab from digging to try to get in the chicken run?
 
I'm not familiar with chickens and cold climates so I'll leave that one to other members with more experience (I live in Kenya and its warm all year round).

RE: your lab (lovely but silly dogs that never seem to grow up - bit like men actually
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) you could do a couple of things.
1. Dig around 1-2ft down around your run and either "sink" the run into the trench that you have made
2. Do as above and fill with large rocks / stones
3. Lay some heavy gauge wiring about 3 ft wide around the base of your run and peg it down (so the dog can't flip it up)
4. Try some dog training to try and socialise the dog with chickens

Im sure that there are others, but theres some for starters

CT
 
Hi, I'm brand new too - actually you're ahead of me, as we plan on getting our first chicks in the spring. So, I'll also be interested to read the answers to your questions.

As regards your dog - I, too, have a dog that is going to need some training to leave chickens alone. We have been working extra hard on teaching "leave it," with lots of treats to reward him. To keep dogs from digging, we have had pretty good luck with securing wire fencing flat on the ground horizontally the way CTKen describes - it isn't just the physical barrier, they seem to really hate the way it feels on their paws. Once they give up, we can usually take it down.

Welcome fellow newbie
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The best thing possible to do with chickens and dogs, is keep them far apart. Dogs + chickens = dead chickens. Chickens have never killed a dog and don't stand a chance standing up to them. It's up to you to prevent them from meeting. Your dog may never be safe around poultry especially when doors can accidentally be left open, or they just slip.
 
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You've been given some excellent ideas on how to keep your chickens safe from the dog so I'll just say hello and it's nice to have you here!
 
pinebarrens said:
Hi, I'm brand new too - actually you're ahead of me, as we plan on getting our first chicks in the spring. So, I'll also be interested to read the answers to your questions.

As regards your dog - I, too, have a dog that is going to need some training to leave chickens alone. We have been working extra hard on teaching "leave it," with lots of treats to reward him. To keep dogs from digging, we have had pretty good luck with securing wire fencing flat on the ground horizontally the way CTKen describes - it isn't just the physical barrier, they seem to really hate the way it feels on their paws. Once they give up, we can usually take it down.

Welcome fellow newbie
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Welcome to BYC to you also!
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I would suggest you leave the wire fencing down even after you're assured the dog is no longer a threat as it will help protect your chickens from other digging predators.
 

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