It happened again!!!

[wohneli]

For the fourth time my wife has accidentally let my dogs out and they have killed a large portion of my flock.
First time she forgot that the chickens were in the backyard - we had only recently started letting them free-range and did not have a system to signify when they were out. We only lost one before she realized her error and got the dogs back inside.
Second time she didn't shut the door all the way when she left for work and the dogs pushed their way out and got the whole flock (8 girls).
Third time she went outside to clip some spices and the dogs snuck out behind her and got 2 of the 3 I had.
This time she let the dogs out in the morning before the chickens were out and one dog jumped the 6 foot fence and took off. She then let the chickens out thinking that the dog would not come back and jump back in, but the darn dog did and killed 7 of 11. Worst part of this massacre is that I am working out of town so I am not there to assess the damage or clean up the mess.
I feel sad and upset. I don't think I can take this again. Maybe its a sign that I should get rid of the chickens for a while. This sucks!!!

 

[b.hromada]

I'm so sorry about all your girls.

When you come back into town, could you maybe make a secure run for them, so the dogs don't get to them? I know with money being tight, it may be a problem. Just a thought, that way, the girls and the dogs could be out at the same time.

 

[gritsar]

I'm so sorry. How awful for you.

Don't give up. You just need some kind of system so the dogs and chickens don't meet.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

What kind of setup do you have for your chickens? Do you keep them in an enclosed run?

 

[wohneli]

Quote:
We had a system, but unfortunately it didn't explicitly include what to do when our dogs jumps the fence (which she has a bad habit of doing about once a month).
We do have plans for a run (which can be much smaller now) that I will build when I get my next weekend off in September. Until then I can just cross my fingers and hope.

 

[wohneli]

Quote:
They are in a coop at night and when the dogs are out adn have the yard the rest of the time.

 

[fldiver97]

So sorry to hear that.....It must be upsetting!!! I have 2 large dogs that have gotten somewhat used to the chickens but I would not trust them out together unsupervised. Not knowing what they would do having chickens in their yard I built a run that has plywood around the bottom part and one side and chickenwire on the upper part as well and a PVC roof so the dogs can't get in. And I am the only one letting the chickens out. Still peek out the window to make sure they are in before I let the dogs out...Don't know if that would be an option for you......run was build from a lot of scrap wood to keep the cost down. Bought "mismatched" paint to make it look better, also faily inexpensive

 

[Quillgirl]

How frustrating. Sounds like you need an enclosed run the hens can move around in, but the dogs can't get into. Doesn't sound like free-ranging your birds is gonna work with your dogs (or your wife.)

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

That sucks. Sounds like the chickens aren't as important to your wife as they are you or else she would have done a better job at keeping the two separate to prevent more deaths.

You can have both chickens and dogs but need to keep them apart and that means a very secure chicken run.

Use a heavy-duty dog kennel that includes kennel panels on top with hardware cloth on the bottom that aprons out to prevent digging under or the chickens from sticking their heads out and/or hot wire to keep your dogs away. I would think they'd stay away if they got their noses zapped a few times.

Be sure your dogs don't run around the chicken run and harrass the chickens causing them to harm themselves by flying into the fence.

I have three dogs I wouldn't trust with my chickens either so I keep them in a fully fenced backyard with the chickens in their run so I have two fences keeping them apart.

Good luck to you.

 

[darbella]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

That sucks. Sounds like the chickens aren't as important to your wife as they are you or else she would have done a better job at keeping the two separate to prevent more deaths.

You can have both chickens and dogs but need to keep them apart and that means a very secure chicken run.

Use a heavy-duty dog kennel that includes kennel panels on top with hardware cloth on the bottom that aprons out to prevent digging under or the chickens from sticking their heads out and/or hot wire to keep your dogs away. I would think they'd stay away if they got their noses zapped a few times.

Be sure your dogs don't run around the chicken run and harrass the chickens causing them to harm themselves by flying into the fence.

I have three dogs I wouldn't trust with my chickens either so I keep them in a fully fenced backyard with the chickens in their run so I have two fences keeping them apart.

Good luck to you.

I agree with the first part of what you are saying. Knowing that the dogs did this, and then not being careful to let it happen again???? However, my dogs are just fine with my chickens and i would not tolerate a dog that was not. it is all in how well they are trained and listen. I have a 100lb doberman and a 10 pound chi-mix and they wouldnt dare harm the chickens and I have had several chicken people over that cannot believ how unphased my dogs are with the chickens! i will try and post pics of the dogs with the chickens if I can figure out how! LOL​