Feeling Guilty - Can't Free Range as Much

[jBabychickn]

Lovely fence and flock! We looked into getting one like this, but it was still a bit costly for us. We're likely going with a very simple post and wire fence--there are many out here in the country and they blend in well with the natural environment, event if not quite as nice as the split rail (which I think is soooo aesthetically lovely).

View attachment 3809499

What is the height of your fence? 4'? I'm leaning towards 5' as a precaution, but I'm doubtful the neighbor's dog would jump 4' (he stays on their deck, which has 4' railing).

LOVE THIS IDEA !!!

Here’s an additional link to a DIY Dog/Deer fencing kit that’s 5’ Tall for 200 feet. (I’m not sure how long you’re needing)
— But this website has all kinds of options. I just randomly picked one to get ya started if you’re interested…


DOG/DEER FENCING

Good Luck!
— Johnna

 

[The head hen]

So, our new neighbors have a large dog who they claim they have an invisible fence and e-collar for, but they've been here over a week and still don't have anything set up to keep him on the property (though they have plenty of time to buy ATVs, and ride them all over the property all day). We've already caught the dog in our yard multiple times, most recently, for about 20-30 minutes in the morning before anyone came to get him (thankfully we have a hot wire fence around the coop/run, though he didn't make contact--he just sat and watched them for a while before moving on). I have the sensation that the neighbors may not ever set up their invisible fence, and that we'll always have to be on guard about the dog coming down to our property. They rationalize that he doesn't seem to be very prey driven because he recently tried to play with a bunny but didn't try to kill it. They've said they think he'll be fine. I'll admit that he's friendly and on the calmer side--but still big and has never been around animals besides dogs.

While the dog is nice, and might be fine around my chickens, I don't know and I'm not willing to risk it. In my book, unless a dog is raised to be good with chickens, it will kill chickens--perhaps accidentally at first, but that might unleash something internal. Unfortunately, this means I can no longer supervise free range my flock like I used to. When I do, I've got my eyes on their property the whole time and can't relax, which takes away from the peace and joy I used to feel with them. So, the poor chickens, who are used to ~ 1 hour daily free ranging are only getting half that (or sometimes none) depending on what's going on.

Will they be okay? They definitely want to come out into the yard with me and crowd around the front of the run whenever I'm out, dying for their free range time. The five of them have a spacious run (10 x 20) with logs, steps, a dust bathing area, and multiple feeding stations. Do you think they'll get used to being cooped up more? I worry about the quality of their lives, since they're used to so much more.

I would be okay with them bringing the dog down on leash to train him around chickens, but I don't know if that'll happen. Still, I wish we didn't have to worry about neighbors' dogs ever coming onto our property. We have a dog (who loves our chickens) and he's never a problem for our neighbors. Our other neighbors also have dogs, and they've never been down to our property. It makes me so annoyed and helpless feeling. I don't want to create conflict, but IMHO this is basic responsibility.

Okay, I'm rambling. In short, how do I ensure my chickens who are used to supervised free-ranging daily, and can no longer do so because of a neighbor's dog, are still able to have a good life?

Invisible fences are worthless! I have had 2 different dogs disrespect the fence to get out of the yard on a regular basis. One would jump a fence and go through the electric field!

 

[Folly's place]

Your neighbors sound like so many; moved to the 'country' and our dogs can run free! And it's their job to keep their dog at home! Your birds are NOT safe with this dog, I'd keep them inside until this issue is resolved. Also, your birds can't be allowed to get on their property, if you don't have a fence up yet, do it. Our nearest neighbors don't want our birds there, fine with us. We installed goat fencing, it's 4"x4" woven wire, four feet high, with electric rope on top. Steel fence posts, with wood post assemblies at the ends. Rarely will one of our birds bother to go there, works fine.
We have had Invisible Fence dog fencing for decades, and the eighth dog (adult from a shelter) that moved in decided to ignore it if there was a chicken on the other side. So then, Ft. Knox dog fencing, five feet tall with electric on the top, and the Invisible Fence 3' inside, so the dogs can't dig under or jump over it. Works great, only once was there an issue, when the 'motherboard' died and we didn't know it.
Electric dog containment systems vary a lot in price and 'zapping' power; the right product will work for most, if the collar can be set high enough.
And it takes time (weeks, anyway) to train a dog to it, and figure out how much zap is needed. If they set it up tomorrow, you still have a long time to worry.
Again, your critters at home, their critter at their house.
Mary

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Invisible fences are worthless! I have had 2 different dogs disrespect the fence to get out of the yard on a regular basis. One would jump a fence and go through the electric field!

We are actually moving now and will be fully fencing in our yard, so supervised free ranging should be less stressful. I agree about invisible fences. Many people have them out here--some dogs respect them, and a few do not.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Your neighbors sound like so many; moved to the 'country' and our dogs can run free! And it's their job to keep their dog at home! Your birds are NOT safe with this dog, I'd keep them inside until this issue is resolved. Also, your birds can't be allowed to get on their property, if you don't have a fence up yet, do it. Our nearest neighbors don't want our birds there, fine with us. We installed goat fencing, it's 4"x4" woven wire, four feet high, with electric rope on top. Steel fence posts, with wood post assemblies at the ends. Rarely will one of our birds bother to go there, works fine.
We have had Invisible Fence dog fencing for decades, and the eighth dog (adult from a shelter) that moved in decided to ignore it if there was a chicken on the other side. So then, Ft. Knox dog fencing, five feet tall with electric on the top, and the Invisible Fence 3' inside, so the dogs can't dig under or jump over it. Works great, only once was there an issue, when the 'motherboard' died and we didn't know it.
Electric dog containment systems vary a lot in price and 'zapping' power; the right product will work for most, if the collar can be set high enough.
And it takes time (weeks, anyway) to train a dog to it, and figure out how much zap is needed. If they set it up tomorrow, you still have a long time to worry.
Again, your critters at home, their critter at their house.
Mary

We are now moving, and will be fully fencing in our new yard. I wouldn't say it's dog proof, but I only supervise free range, so it's an extra barrier.

Said neighbors, who we share a driveway with, are planning to build an airbnb resort, with a petting zoo, ziplining, etc. And we are out. In the end, it may be for the best. They forewent the invisible fence and just use an e-collar, except half the time no one is paying attention to him so he runs down anyway. We confronted them and they simply tried to convince us he's friendly, acting confused that we were worried about him running down--ignoring that it's about respecting boundaries (not the dog himself). Some people....

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Your neighbors sound like so many; moved to the 'country' and our dogs can run free! And it's their job to keep their dog at home! Your birds are NOT safe with this dog, I'd keep them inside until this issue is resolved. Also, your birds can't be allowed to get on their property, if you don't have a fence up yet, do it. Our nearest neighbors don't want our birds there, fine with us. We installed goat fencing, it's 4"x4" woven wire, four feet high, with electric rope on top. Steel fence posts, with wood post assemblies at the ends. Rarely will one of our birds bother to go there, works fine.
We have had Invisible Fence dog fencing for decades, and the eighth dog (adult from a shelter) that moved in decided to ignore it if there was a chicken on the other side. So then, Ft. Knox dog fencing, five feet tall with electric on the top, and the Invisible Fence 3' inside, so the dogs can't dig under or jump over it. Works great, only once was there an issue, when the 'motherboard' died and we didn't know it.
Electric dog containment systems vary a lot in price and 'zapping' power; the right product will work for most, if the collar can be set high enough.
And it takes time (weeks, anyway) to train a dog to it, and figure out how much zap is needed. If they set it up tomorrow, you still have a long time to worry.
Again, your critters at home, their critter at their house.
Mary

Also, love your fence idea! We will be in a neighborhood with about an acre fenced in. I may still set up my hot wire fence just because.