Dog Proof Chickens

[El Pollo]

aloha! Well, currently I have seven chickens in about a 50 sq. foot pen. even tho that seems fairly ample, they still seem to tear the grass to shreds leaving it barren and poopy. where I live in hawaii (kauai), we have no natural predators which is totally awesome. no hawks, weasels, raccoons etc. I usually let them out of them pen a few hours before sunset to roam the yard (about acres) in search of fresh bugs and grass. however, I live near a community path that some people (perhaps four or five on an average day) walk with their unleashed dogs. I guess what I am looking for is to find a breed of chicken that is independent enough to be able to dodge dogs, but dependent enough to come home to roost every night and lay eggs in the provided nests. I absolutely love to free range chickens and letting them forage to their little hearts content. The reason I ask is because recently a stupid dog murdered one of my chickens! It was a rhode island red and now I am wondering if your usual heavy breeds like RIR's, BO's, barred rocks, etc. are a little too fat, fearless (dumb) and slow. I mean that about the chickens in the nicest way of course, and am wondering if anyone has had any luck with other breeds free-ranging in dog territory...thanks in advance -josh

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC.
You do have a problem. There really is no dog proof free ranging chicken. Even the ones that can fly well can be taken unaware. Can you fence along the path? If not that then a run for the chickens is the only safe option.

 

[sumi]

Dog will be dogs, unfortunately. I lost a hen to a dog once and she wasn't stupid. The dog was hungry and she was there... I agree with Den in Penn, maybe you should put a fence and keep the dogs away from your birds.

 

[Going Quackers]

I agree, a fence would be your best bet.. any dog even if you own them yourself can present and an issue.. i never 100% trust mine with any of the birds here.

 

[Gullygarden]

I too live in Hawaii and have lost multiple chickens to dogs. I solved it - no losses since 2009 - with a solar powered electric mesh run from Premier. call and ask them about shipping options and they make it much better than the price that comes up online. I currently am using a 100 foot and a 50 foot length for an all day run, and have an older 160 foot perimeter that I use on my garden to prevent turkeys, and into which they can go for an extra treat under supervision.
Aloha from the Big Island!

 

[BillRei2]

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the dogs. The others are right. The only way to secure your chickens is to confine them full time. I have the same trouble here in maine, but my problem is with foxes, and other preditors. I give my girls grass and dandilion leaves at least once a day. It's extra work but I know they are protected.

 

[SilkieSammiJo]

Dogs can be a problem here in Nebraska also. I am very fortunate to have 2 German Shephards that protect my flock from everything, including strange people. I leave them out take care of my chickens while they are free ranging.