Dog killed three of four chickens while we were home!

[Lovemyvtchicks]

Hi,

How awful do I feel? Three of my four year old chickens killed by a dog. This would not have happened, maybe, had I not left the bigger coop door open. The chickens seemed to like it though and would run through each door like a game.I was home and thought it would be OK. So I have one left
I guess trying to get her winter cuddle buddies, I could start with chicks, I just need to keep them separate, right?
Also, I am going to extend our secure run and only let them in the open fenced area when we or our dogs are out there

Sound like a Plan? I wish I didn't feel so bad, I can just cry thinking about it. The dog owners gave me the money I asked for but
really, my heart is getting old for this.

 

[lightchick]

That's so sad!

 

[operabird]

Sorry your chickens were attacked. If you get chicks you do need to separate them and keep them under a warm lamp. Chicks are sensative to heat and cold. We didn't put out chicks outside until it was warm out and they were a couple months old. Our older hens (3 RI Reds) don't really get along with our other 9 younger pullets. I'm not sure how it will go with only one surviving hen, but it's worth a shot. Chicks are wonderful and sweet. It's amazing to watch them grow and see how they change over the months. Hopefully when they are big enough it will give the elder hen a chance to be the alpha and hopefully she'll like that? Good luck!

 

[lightchick]

My chicks moved outside at 3.5 weeks old.

Sorry your chickens were attacked. If you get chicks you do need to separate them and keep them under a warm lamp. Chicks are sensative to heat and cold. We didn't put out chicks outside until it was warm out and they were a couple months old. Our older hens (3 RI Reds) don't really get along with our other 9 younger pullets. I'm not sure how it will go with only one surviving hen, but it's worth a shot. Chicks are wonderful and sweet. It's amazing to watch them grow and see how they change over the months. Hopefully when they are big enough it will give the elder hen a chance to be the alpha and hopefully she'll like that? Good luck!

 

[JadedPhoenix]

For a faster solution and a more even flock, could you try finding some point of lay hens on craigslist? Shorten her lonely time a bit.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

So Sorry. My daughter introduced new chicks in a separate pen which shared a fence with the older hen. After a proper introduction they did well.

 

[operabird]

Like I said, it just depends on outdoor temps. We had to wait till it wasn't below freezing outside at night to let the chicks outside finally. And when we did we had to keep a light in outside inthe brooder and put it on a night timer to ensure they didn't get too cold at night. If it had been a different time or year or a different location then that would change.