Feel like I shouldn't even bother.

[Erin80]

Since our neighbour two houses up got a dog, we can't let our chickens free range anymore as his dog will definitely eat them. The only time they can come out now is in the evenings, just before roost time, and only if I'm either out there or can keep a close eye on our yard. They are totally safe as long as they stay within our fenced yard - but they often go through the fence to get to the forest/hill covered with leaves so they can scratch.
Since being locked in their run, they just pace and pace and pace in front of the door. We have been keeping them in there since early winter - so it's no longer new to them, but they seriously HATE being cooped up like that. I feel so bad for them that I feel like, because of this dog, I shouldn't even bother having my chickens because I feel like their life just sucks being stuck in their run. Don't get me wrong - it's a massive run for 6 chickens.....but they definitely want their freedom back.
Approaching the owner about their dog is a touchy subject, because our old dog used to run at their car every time they'd drive down the road and give them a heart attack.....plus, down by the river we all share each others property for our boats and docks...and our boat and dock are technically on their property. Not an easy situation.

 

[Eilsel]

Can you fortify your fence to keep them in? Maybe just a layer of chicken wire so they can’t get through?

Ultimately if the dog isn’t coming on to your property there’s nothing you can do about the dog besides try to keep your chickens in, but it is sad that they’re so unhappy in their run. Have you tried adding “interesting” things to their run to make it more interactive?

 

[Erin80]

We have a large property but a fenced in part for the kids and dog. The chickens prefer to be out in the woods just outside the fencing, and I can’t blame them! Yes we could run a boat load of chicken wire along the base, but the fence is only 4ft tall so I’m pretty sure they’d jump over.
I haven’t put anything interesting in their run since early winter (besides treats!!), so maybe that’s what I need to try. I just messaged my neighbour asking if his dog was out.....if they aren’t home today, then the chickens would be fine to free range.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Relax take a deep breath. I am sure your chicken's would love to be roaming free don't know of many that wouldn't. However you are also responsible for their safety and well-being. Kind of like kid's once they do it and like it they want to do it again until you figure out it might be dangerous. If you have a good run they will be just fine there. After a bit they most likely will for get. So don't burden your mind of the chickens they will be fine and besides other than walking by the gate they can't and won't complain.

 

[Erin80]

The neighbours are away for Easter so the girls get to free range all afternoon. I went in and churned up their run for them, and will put some fun things in there this week to occupy them when they’re in there. I’m going to ask my neighbour to let me know when he’s going away for the day so they can be out.

 

[bobbi-j]

Since our neighbour two houses up got a dog, we can't let our chickens free range anymore as his dog will definitely eat them. The only time they can come out now is in the evenings, just before roost time, and only if I'm either out there or can keep a close eye on our yard. They are totally safe as long as they stay within our fenced yard - but they often go through the fence to get to the forest/hill covered with leaves so they can scratch.
Since being locked in their run, they just pace and pace and pace in front of the door. We have been keeping them in there since early winter - so it's no longer new to them, but they seriously HATE being cooped up like that. I feel so bad for them that I feel like, because of this dog, I shouldn't even bother having my chickens because I feel like their life just sucks being stuck in their run. Don't get me wrong - it's a massive run for 6 chickens.....but they definitely want their freedom back.
Approaching the owner about their dog is a touchy subject, because our old dog used to run at their car every time they'd drive down the road and give them a heart attack.....plus, down by the river we all share each others property for our boats and docks...and our boat and dock are technically on their property. Not an easy situation.

So, your chickens, when free ranging, are leaving your property? That's not the neighbor's responsibility to keep his dog away from them then.

The neighbours are away for Easter so the girls get to free range all afternoon. I went in and churned up their run for them, and will put some fun things in there this week to occupy them when they’re in there. I’m going to ask my neighbour to let me know when he’s going away for the day so they can be out.

Do your chickens go on your neighbor's property? If so, he really doesn't need to let you know because your chickens should be staying in your yard. Yes, I understand that they love digging in the leaves in the woods, but it's not your property. It's your responsibility to keep them safe and sometimes that means keeping them fenced in.

 

[CannedMonster]

We have a large property but a fenced in part for the kids and dog. The chickens prefer to be out in the woods just outside the fencing, and I can’t blame them! Yes we could run a boat load of chicken wire along the base, but the fence is only 4ft tall so I’m pretty sure they’d jump over.
I haven’t put anything interesting in their run since early winter (besides treats!!), so maybe that’s what I need to try. I just messaged my neighbour asking if his dog was out.....if they aren’t home today, then the chickens would be fine to free range.

Most of our yard is fenced with 4 ft chain link. The chickens could easily jump over so we caught each one in the run and clipped one wing.
They never attempted to jump the fence after that.
They are heavier breeds though, I don’t know how well it would work with lighter breeds.
If that hadn’t worked we also planned to use t-posts and chicken wire to make the fence “taller”.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I'm not clear on if your chickens are staying on your property or leaving it.

If you own land but some of it's not fenced you could set up mobile electric fencing in the unfenced part of your yard to let them forage.

If all your yard is fenced but they've been straying beyond your property line you could make sure your yard is dog proof first and bring the forest to your chickens by giving them a deep litter run where they can scratch through leaves for bugs and do all the things they're missing.

 

[peeper89]

Since our neighbour two houses up got a dog, we can't let our chickens free range anymore as his dog will definitely eat them---totally safe as long as they stay within our fenced yard - but they often go through the fence to get to the forest/hill feel so bad for them that I feel like, because of this dog, I shouldn't even bother having my chickens because I feel like their life just sucks being stuck in their run.
Approaching the owner about their dog is a touchy subject, down by the river we all share each others property for our boats and docks...and our boat and dock are technically on their property. Not an easy situation.

We have a large property but a fenced in part for the kids and dog. The chickens prefer to be out in the woods just outside the fencing, and I can’t blame them! Yes we could run a boat load of chicken wire along the base, but the fence is only 4ft tall so I’m pretty sure they’d jump over.
I haven’t put anything interesting in their run since early winter (besides treats!!), so maybe that’s what I need to try. I just messaged my neighbour asking if his dog was out.....if they aren’t home today, then the chickens would be fine to free range.

can u clarify if ur chickens r goin off ur property when they "free range"???
dog is 2 houses up ---- it ur responsibility to keep chicken safe. it is not dogs problem if ur chicken venture into his property u putting blame on dog that has noot done anyting wrong if he is on his own property - it ur problem if chicken go there!

i sure neighbor will b amazed/thrilled at ur sense of entitlement that ur chicken have right to be off property and his getting dog has messed that up. if wrong i apologize but ur post read like you upset cause they got dog without ur permission shame on them for doing what they see fit on they own property.

 

[Mosey2003]

Your chickens need to stay on your property, full stop. Your neighbor has every right to have a dog on his/her property, and you're lucky he/she hasn't complained yet about your chickens sneaking off your property.

Line your fence and clip wings, or keep them in.