Coop, Run and Guard Dog

[ruth]

Hi Everyone - I'm new as a member but have been following this site daily for the past three months since I've become a chicken "momma". I'm posting pictures of our new coop which is almost finished - just needs painting and the run landscaped. The coop is "Noah's Ark" - it is 6 feet high and 16 feet long with a large door in front and two smaller doors in back with nesting boxes at each end. The nest boxes have a wooden floor and dividers that pull out for cleaning. The coop sides are mirror images of each other with perches inside. Good thing cause the black sex links don't like the Easter Eggers and each one has their own side even though the whole thing is open and there is no dividing wall - the chickens just fomed their own division "your side - my side". The run is 30' x 60'. Prior to this our baby chicks were "free range" around our yard but no worry - Rex, our GSD, has been guarding them since they were babies. I know you all are going to say "yeah, sure...but don't leave him alone with them". But truly, he slept in bathroom with them in bin when they were babies, then outside by their pen, then loose around the yard with them and now in their run. He was most nervous when they ran loose and was constantly trying to keep them all together. In one picture you'll see them all under a bush together where he dug a big hole for them. When I first came outside and saw him lying in hole with what looked like a bunch of dead baby chickens around him and I said "Rex, they better be sleeping" and they were like he was the mamma hen which I guess he thinks he is. Anyway, thought this coop design would help others who live in a tropical heat rain forest like we do. Days of several inches of rain, days of 100% humdity and 90 plus temps. The coop stays very cool with it's high vaulted ceiling, with wire vents at top and doors on each side that can be opened. Of course, having lots of room for the chicks to run helps.

 

[ChicksinBoise]

What a great dog! That is very good to hear.

 

[ruth]

Thanks - he is a great dog and having the chickens has made him even better. Prior to that we had a problem with him running off and visiting the neighbors who were afraid of dogs, especially German Shepherds. They would call us every time he came over. In the 4 months since "he's" had chicks to guard, he hasn't left our yard once. He's also a necessity since we live in a heavily wooded area with several acres and every predator known to man. Rex won't even let our fellow pets (cats and dogs) come near those chicks much less coons, foxes, etc.

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Quote:
I know the key to working breeds is to always have a "job" for them, whatever that may be. Sounds like he has found his. I bet he is a very happy guy now.

 

[GoodEgg]

What a beautiful dog. And what a great story. You have no idea how jealous I am (in a good way!). He reminds me of my GSD Kai, whom I raised from a newborn and he lived with me for 12 years. I so wish I had a dog like him now.

I understand perfectly how people on here feel about dogs and chickens. But sometimes it depends on the dog. Kai was only about 11 months old (but well trained) when I got a pet cockatiel, who promptly flew and landed by his feet while he was on a "stay." He wasn't sure what to do, but I told him to keep staying. Then that silly bird started plucking the hairs from his toes! I was a little worried, but Kai just sat and waited until I could come and "rescue" him from that silly bird.

He was always great at "guarding" any small children, as well as any animal he thought "belonged."

You are so lucky to have yours. What a great dog. We are in the woods too, and surrounded by predators, and I am going crazy trying to make my girls secure without a dog, and without enough money to build Fort Knox for them.

Thanks for sharing!

trish