A fox just got one of my Barred Rocks...it was just a few feet away..

[ging3rhoffman]

I think the best solution is to have a chicken coop with a run attached to it. Thats the only way my husband would have chickens. He remembers when he was little that something killed all of their chickens and he knew it wasnt worth it to get chickens for me and then watch me cry.

We let our chickens out of the run when we can sit outside in our lawn chairs with them. It actually gives us quality time together.

We went as far as to dig out around the run and pour concrete and he also covered the top of the run with chicken wire. The rest of the run is made with the heavy 1/2" x 1" wire. He didnt even want a small sparrow to get in with the chickens because they would steal their food and scratch that we give each day.

 

[chicks4kids]

I've never put much value into a dog that is tied to a tree. Except for the fact that it would be an area that didn't need to be mowed. But to each his own.

Maybe you need to think about a 12 guage instead of another dog.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

That is a great idea. We have talked about that, but that's as far as it has gone. My husband would rather me leave them in the coop. They know we keep their food in the garage. They go in and eat and poo all over the place. We have the material to make a run. My husband gets laid off in a couple of months. He's a steel worker at AK Steel, Ashland KY. He'll have time to do it then. I feel bad for them to be cooped up. We have hills on both sides of us and they go up in the woods to scratch. We can't see them if they go up to far. It has really grown up. I am only going to let them out right before dark and I am going to stay out there until they go back in. I love to sit out and watch the chickens, too. I have really enjoyed them. I remember when I was little that we kept baby chicks in the out building and one morning I went to check them and something had ate the brain out of them. A perfect circle on the top of there little heads. Their brain was gone. The rest of there body hadn't been touched. It was a horrible sight. Sad , huh? DJ

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Quote:
I don't like keeping a dog tied either. especially where we live. But I have no choice with her. We now have a 12 guage loaded in the garage. As far as another dog. If people would stop dropping dogs off we wouldn't have as many as we do!!!! We can't have what we want because we always get stuck taking care of drop offs. We don't take strays to the pound!! I wanted a GS,[ Saydee] for a pet and for a work dog. Saydee is just not a normal GS. We was letting Saydee loose at night after the chickens were put in the coop. My husband went out after dark and she came after him. He had to call her name to make her stop. Scared him. That makes twice she has done that to him. I can't figure her out. DJ

 

[nnbreeder]

Maybe her sight is not as good as it could be? I learned long ago that when I came out of the house the first thing I did was call up the dogs.

If I disturbed them while asleep they could get a little cranky.

You mentioned that you had her trained to a silent hand command when you wanted her to quiet down. Work on the basics with her like the sit/stay and a call back. She trusts you and I really think that she would respond well to you.

 

[sealsandwich]

Hank the Cowdog is my main pooch! He can outsmart coyotes like no other. Rip and Snort just never have a chance.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Quote:
I have asked the same thing about her eye sight. The vet said she was ok. Something is not right with her. She does sit/stay and come to me on command. I didn't mean for this to become such a big issue. I believe everyone has the right to an opinion, but no one has the right to judge. Everyone handles circumstances different. I know that Saydee trust me and I really like her. She is a beautiful dog. I will go to the library to find books on training/working with her. Thanks for not judging. DJ

 

[Ashleychickenlady]

Dachshunds are a really good dog to have. That is what they are bred for and I have had many dogs take down Opossums and skunks and such. But you have to be careful at night time because I have had a few of theirs taken by Coyotes.. so that's why mine sleep inside at night time