Escaping Chooks

[Lady Cluckingham]

Please tell me if this is on the wrong fourum, newbie here.

I just had a quick question, when we first built our chook run my dad put a door in made of if a steel frame thing.... I have no idea how to describe it. But when my brither went to to feed them it was always a big thing becuase the chickens wouldn't escape. Running chicken, blood thirsty family dog...... I was wondering if you guys had any ideas or Tipton how to get in the run without the birds escaping? Do you put some would around knee height to stop them running?

Thanks!

 

[Teila]

Hey Lady Cluckingham

Luckily I do not have a blood thirsty dog, just a dog who loves her chickens as friends not a meal

However, I do have chickens who like to duck out the run door given the chance.

I do not have any easy answers and I just use my foot to gently push the girls back as I squeeze my way in through the door.

However, a couple of possible solutions came quickly to mind:

1. Throw something in the run to keep the chickens occupied as you enter.
2. Build a second gate or door so you can have one closed before you open the other, like they do on aviaries.
3. Tether the dog [on leash] before opening the door.
4. Train the dog to drop and stay.