Introduction

[gadgt5]

Hi everyone
We're a family of 5 from Australia who are raising 5x Rhode Island chicks.. they were hatched last Wednesday. So about 1.5 weeks old.
We cant have roosters in our council area but we are allowed a maximum of 6 chickens per household.

We've decided to use basic materials to build our run..

New to the game.. and eager to learn as we go.

 

[gadgt5]

Thanks.
Our youngest human kids (6 and 1yo) love the chick "babies". Our eldest kid doesn't seem to care much.
The dog seems really interested though.. and hopefully ive reinforced the run enough to stop the dog.
We had 4 chicks before.. but sadly the dog found a weakness in the fencing. Thats why there are now steel plates all around..

 

[cmom]

I have had dogs in my life, but the last one was a daughter's. She moved to a place where she couldn't have her. For the most part it ignored the birds. She was old and eventually died. Mostly I have to protect from predators such as coyotes, fox, coons, possums, bobcats, skunks, owls, hawks, There all here and looking for a chicken dinner. I have electric around my pens and coops for the diggers. When they touch the wire they don't come back to test it again. Concrete under the gates for the diggers, Netting over the pens for the owls and hawks. I have't lost a bird to a predator for a long time but have had my share in the past. We are rural. I do have some game cameras set up in different places on our property and most nights see critters on them. Good luck and have fun...

 

[gadgt5]

Unfortunately the dog got in the run and killed all 4 girls

Doing all we can to separate the living spaces of the animals... ie dog is outside while the chicks are inside.. etc.

 

[gadgt5]

hopefully steel plates around will help this issue. They are pop rivited in the poles.. and its too heavy to lift even if the pop rivets fail.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock!

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Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops

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[N F C]

Hi, it's nice to have you here! I've raised RIR's in the past and really enjoyed them, best of luck with yours!

 

[cmom]

I raise Rhode Island Reds too.

 

[thudson]

Howdy from Texas! Welcome to the BYC!. Hope you find all the information you need here, if not just ask we will be glad to assist you where we can. I am sure one of our fine members will have the answer you need. Now the dog issue. I have had a problem with this and will let you know, once a dog gets a taste for chicken he will be relentless and keep trying to get at them. So the safest bet is electric fencing and concrete pads around the edges to keep from digging. I use concrete pavers. When he digs the edge the paver falls on his paw or head and a few aches later he gives up. This easily solved my problem, didn't matter if it was dog, skunk, fox or raccoon. So good luck and remember have fun!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens. Hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.