Free-range worries post dog attack

[rachelbinnc]

Hi Guys,

I have a small flock of pet chickens who are cooped securely at night, but who have been free-ranging in my fenced backyard during the day. Last week a stray dog got over our five foot fence and tore into the flock, killing four and injuring three. One was so badly injured that we had to rush her to the Exotic Animal Vet in Raleigh for surgery. She still isn't out of the woods. If you want, you can read about her recovery on my blog: http://missingmorning.blogspot.com/2010/04/both-kinds-of-news.html

Anyway, up until now I have been very happy with my chickens' quality of life. They love scratching in the grass and eating bugs out of the compost pile. Now that my illusion of security has been shattered, how can I give them a free-range type experience without endangering them? Are there ways to keep a large run grassy? I somehow doubt it. Does anyone have the situation where they do a chicken tractor during the day and then a secure coop at night? How safe are the chickens in a tractor? Has anybody had problems with keeping a tractor secure from dogs? Also, my eight-year-old son spends a great deal of time holding and cuddling our chickens and they are very sweet, tame birds because of it. Does anyone have plans for a fairly mobile tractor that is big enough for a person to climb into for visitations with the jail birds?

I've very interested in hearing your experiences.

Thanks!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I am so sorry. I have pet chickens and it would be devastating to lose them like that. I don't think that you can keep a run green, but there is a lot that you can do to make their lives interesting a varied. You could, from time to time, put some bermuda grass or alfalfa hay in their run and hide treats in it. They'll enjoy the grasses and of course have fun looking for treats. You can find automatic timed dispensers to surprise them with treats. You can introduce new "furniture" to their run by moving around roosts and introducing different objects. Just keep some things the same and add to it. They don't need it every day, but a couple of times a week would be nice. It's a fun challenge to see what spikes their interest. When you find something add it to your list and rotate. Chicken enrichment is what I call it.

Start out small, don't add anything that you think may cause stress. I also like to give my animals the biggest space that I can so go big on the run.

Again, I'm sorry that you lost your girls and your sense of security in your own home. I don't know how large of an area that you have fenced but you could also put up some electric wire. It doesn't cost that much and is very effective.

 

[horsejody]

I see on your blog that the dog came back. Dogs can injure or kill chickens even if they're in a run. They make them panic and crash into the fencing as they break necks and wings. Don't assume that your birds will be safe just because they are in a secure run. Is the dog homeless, or is there an idiot that just lets it roam? Have you asked around the neighborhood to see if it belongs to anyone? If it does, they should pay your vet bills and keep the dog in. Personally, I would shoot it. Please don't try to grab the dog if it comes back and is attacking your pets. My sister tried that and no longer has full use of her hands because of the severe bites she received. Another BYC member also tried to stop a dog after her chickens and was injured for her trouble.

 

[teach1rusl]

Wow...so sorry. I would be crushed if something happened to one of my girls (who are pets). Like you, my girls roam our fenced yard/property. They do have a large run, but anytime I'm (or someone in the family) is home, we let them out of the run. I'm lucky in that I only work part-time right now. Because they do get to spend a lot of time out of the run, it does have grass in it. Actually, it would look pretty nice in there if my dogs hadn't gone on a mole hunt in several places. So if you build a large run, and allow your girls out when you are home (able to hear if there are problems), you may be able to have the best of both worlds...your chickens out and about in your yard and a safe, attractive run for when you aren't.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

how can I give them a free-range type experience without endangering them?

Improve your fence so dogs can't get over it, and they can still range in your yard​

 

[rachelbinnc]

Thanks so much for the replies. I've seen the dogs numerous times and have called animal control. Unfortunately, they have had no luck catching them, but they are going to try putting a trap out for them. The fence itself is actually quite sound. It's five feet tall strong solid chainlink that goes around my 3/4 acre backyard. I just don't think there is any way to dog-proof it. They are going over it and I found a spot where they were actually digging under it. I can't afford to replace the fence, so for right now, the girls have to stay in their fairly small coop/run. I am thinking of building a bigger run that's as secure as my coop. I love the ideas for keeping them happy in there.

In response to the idea about shooting them, I am all for it. I don't have a gun, but my neighbor does and he is on the lookout. I'm actually shocked that I'm okay with the idea, because I'm a really big softie. But seeting what the dogs did broke my heart and I can't let it happen again.

Anybody have any thoughts on ways to make a tractor secure from dogs so that they could come out of the run and graze in that for some part of the day?

Thanks!

ps- please send your positive healing thoughts to my little girl Batty, who is trying to recover from some pretty terrible wounds. The next day or so is critical for her.

 

[patman75]

Sorry about your chickens.

I have a tractor and one night walked out to find 4 raccoons trying to get inside. They couldn't. From what I could tell they tried for about a week before i trapped them all.

If you build it right they wont get in.

You could add an electric fence to keep out any varmits.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

I am just agreeing with patman75 You can get a 2 mile set up for less than 100.00 TSC had the fence charger and post on sale last week. Get 14 guage wire though it is more expensive but if you do not you will wish you had. Or happy hunting which ever you choose!
Sorry about your loss!

 

[fancbrd4me02]

You can probably keep those dogs out with electric. They even have battery powered electric.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

They have battery, AC and solar but I have heard solar is not worth the money.