HELP ME!!!!

[chicksinthemachine]

Our family dog has eaten 5 of our chicks in the past 2 days, I am so confused as what to do. What action should we take for the dog?

 

[arlee453]

Keep him away from the chicks. If you can't trust him around them, you'll have to find a way to keep the two species separated.

It's the rare dog that you can trust 100% around chickens, especially little chicks.

 

[rooster-red]

By all means keep them seperated, whatever it takes to do so.

 

[okiemommy]

Sorry you lost your babies

We keep our chicks in our master bathroom in brooders until they are old enough to go out to the coop. We have a pretty decent sized bathroom and also don't have to worry about drafts. We keep them in there b/c we can close the door to the bathroom, and then also close the door to the bedroom and lock it, keeping something on us to unlock it if we need it. This keeps the kids from sneaking in there and accidentally providing the cats with a nice meal.
hth

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Quote:
1)chain/fence the dog where it can not get anywhere near your chicks

2)find the dog a new home

3)shoot it


Those are your 3 basic choices. I know #3 sounds harsh but it is after all a choice. You can not under any circumstances trust this dog around your birds ever again. It has learned not only to kill but that they taste good. Essentially your dog is now one of the predators you have to worry about. You just need to pick the choice that's right for your situation.

 

[peruvian_princess]

Good grief! How on earth is the stupid dog getting to the chicks? I am sorry I have dogs too & if one of my dogs ever got one of my chicks that dog would know my wrath. Since I keep all my chicks enclosed this will never happen therefore I wont have to change any behavior. I have 2 small house dogs and one large outside dog. Never had an incident and hope never to have one. I have had some strays learn the hard way. Keep your chicks away from that chicken eating dog!!!!!

 

[chicksinthemachine]

The dog is our gentle giant Mastiff. We never thought he could be the culprit, untill we found him with a mouth full of feathers. The chicks(which are about 3 mo. old) are very accomplished escape artists. Some run repairs, and penning of the mastiff have worked for now.... It's the near future that concerns me. We cant leave a 200lb dog penned forever.

 

[JennsPeeps]

It might not be that the chickens are good escape artists, rather that you may have overestimated the size of hole through which they'll fit.

I had to build an impromptu fence around my veggie garden to keep my chickens out of it. I mean, it's made of chairs, screens, wire fence sections, planters... etc. (And yes, it's very attractive.) It's incredible what size gap the chickens will fit through. They find every gap, not because they're smart (BELIEVE me!) but because they're curious, food-driven, and opportunistic.

Get down to their level to see what they're seeing, then fix all holes and gaps. If the chickens can get out, predatory critters will be able to get IN.

 

[peruvian_princess]

I suggest you build a better run with better materials. I would suggest using pressure treated wood around the entire bottom edge and then of course using the hard ware cloth all around. Dont forget to dig down about a foot or so to prevent some predater digging in the run. I would actually use pressure treated wood for the entire frame of the run to keep it from rotting quickly. I wish you luck in you endeavor.

 

[chicksinthemachine]

Thanks for all the info, I really do appreciate it. But if Chopper,our mastiff, doesn't change his ways then the chickens will have to go. My husband and I discussed the issue and he is a family member and we can't shoot him! We also have our children to think of, he is their baby and vice versa, I mean he even gives my 3 year old rides and has since she was a baby, we got him when I was pregnant with her. My 5 year old would probably be traumatized by getting rid of him. But we have made modifications and taken disciplinary action with the dog, Hopefully this and a very watchful eye will improve our situation. Once again thanks to everyone because I was so upset to see this happen.