Dogs killed two chickens, considering rehoming

[rachegg]

Hey all, made an account specifically to ask for some advice. Apologies if I'm in the wrong forum, and that this is so long/scattered.
This spring, my mom finally acted on a years-long desire to get some chicks. She's done an amazing job taking care of them and keeping them safe from our dog, but we recently took on another dog who's been a little chicken-obsessed (she's a pointer, and it's a long story).
Yesterday either someone left the gate into the run cracked or the pointer opened it, and our two dogs killed two of our four chickens.
My mom is distraught and is scared to keep the two we have left for fear of the dogs killing them too. My dad is going to reinforce the gate with a dog-proof latch and I think this will prevent any more incidents, but she's still afraid to risk the two chickens we have left.
If we did give the chickens away, our next door neighbor would probably take them, so we'd still get to see them. Still, I'd hate to see my mom give up on keeping chickens over this incident. She loves her chickens more than she loves the dogs.
Would we be better off rehoming the chickens and selling the coop, or do y'all think it's worth the risk? Are there any more precautions we ought to take? The dogs can't dig under or jump over the fence. I appreciate it.

 

[sourland]

sorry for the circumstances. Hot wire around the pen would be an excellent predator deterrent - that includes dogs.

 

[NatJ]

Would we be better off rehoming the chickens and selling the coop, or do y'all think it's worth the risk?

That is a really hard question to answer, because it all comes down to what things each person is willing to risk. It sounds like your mother would prefer to have no chickens, rather than risk having more of them killed. That is a valid position. You want her to be able to have chickens, which is also a valid position.

Are there any more precautions we ought to take? The dogs can't dig under or jump over the fence.

Dog training can help--some dogs can be trained not to kill chickens, and most dogs can be trained with some commands that make life easier. For example, if a dog runs out open doors vs. being trained to wait for permission, it makes a difference in how hard it is to keep that dog away from chickens. Likewise a dog that comes when called is easier to control than a dog that does not come.

Electric fence sometimes helps. If the electric fence is around the outside of the chicken pen, the dog gets shocked if it tries to get in. Most dogs quickly learn to stay a certain distance away. And while they're staying away from the shock, they are also not opening the door

Some dogs are much more creative than others at getting into chicken pens. Some might require a concrete base, sturdy fencing, a padlock on the door, and a solid roof to keep them out. Others won't cross a 3-foot flimsy fence. It depends a lot on the dog (size, temperament, age, energy level, creativity, determination, etc). So when someone says that their dog can (or can not) get into a certain type of pen: learn from what they say, but remember that your dog may be different.

Edit to add another thought:

She loves her chickens more than she loves the dogs.

Depending on how the rest of the family feels, you could consider re-homing the dogs instead of the chickens.

 

[LaFleche]

we recently took on another dog who's been a little chicken-obsessed (she's a pointer, and it's a long story).

Just like @NatJ implied: If it is just recently you brought home this pointer you might consider bringing him back to where he came from and keeping the one your family has been comfortable with including the chickens.

EDIT: With a chicken crazy pointer around even giving your hens to the neighbour might not be safe for them if the pointer decides to pay a visit to the neighbours flock .

 

[centrarchid]

@rachegg show a picture of your pointer, Then I will show a picture of mine and provide pointers on keeping pointers around chickens. We got to get past the one post first.