Living with the predator.......

[rncmomx2]

I trust my buddy, he is there caretaker when I'm not home.

 

[valentinebaby]

My dachshund, Bella, would never hurt one of my girls. However, she was only 4 1/2 months old when I got the chicks and I always let her smell and see them when I went into check on them, so I'm sure that was a big plus. Being a dachshund (they're bred to go after badgers in a hole), I was concerned, but she basically grew up with them and thinks they're her sisters...eats with them and inspects the run at night to make sure they're all up, etc. I think early exposure will be your only hope, but both of yours are bred for hunting and you should definitely be concerned.

 

[rino081]

I did a double take on your boxer, i almost didn't notice the chick back there...kinda comouflaged in with the dog and floor.

Such a wide variety of advice. Thanks all who have contributed so far. A lot of good points being made

 

[Texasboy4ever]

I have 4 dogs 2 of them could care less about the chickens when I let them free range they keep other dogs away. But the other 2 are chicken killers and they stay in a pen when the chickens are out. So I would say it depends on the dog

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I commented earlier on the dog situation, so am now taking time to give my two cents on your coop. Yes, it looks quite secure. I do think it would be very tight for four birds unless you live in an area that doesn't get a true winter season. You have to look at what you'd be dealing with if they were locked in for a day or two, or a week or two even, depending on the situation (which happened to a lot of folks this winter). You can't really count the nest box as living space, because they should never be in there except to lay an egg. And you have to deduct the floor space opening for your ladder/steps to get underneath, as well as losing space for feeders/waterers, etc. So you probably have more like 10 sq. feet (maybe). Now if you're in a warm weather area, you're fine, because they would have access to top and bottom all of the time, in any season.

You mentioned that they would have access to the yard every day as their run. Unless they're going to be out for most of the day in your yard, you really do need to attach a run...preferably at least 30 sq. ft. for 3 chickens, 40 sq. ft. for 4. Even in a small yard that should be easily doable (a 5 x 8 would be pretty simple). That space underneath will become really cramped really quickly, even with just three chickens.

The more space you (they) have, the less of a pain poop management becomes

 

[dieselgrl48]

I guess it depend's on the dog's themselve's. Some dog's no matter how great they are around family or kid's will go for just about anything that look's like a natural food source etc.We took in a Rot. pup a few years ago.We loved him to death.He grew so fast,We tried training him as soon as We got him home to be around the animal's.Needless to say We had to place him in another home because He was constantly chasing the bird's chewing on the duck's and basicaly just wreaking havoc:/.The new owner's still have him and He is a very loveable dog but just couldn't take NO! around the bird's.We brought our poodle when We moved here 6 year's ago and He was awesome with the bird's from day one.He does get a romp spell once in a while and want to play but has never attacked anything here.Wish you good luck with your chick's hope it work's out for ya. DG

 

[rino081]

Yeah sorry I wasn't more specific. The chickens will have access to a secure 5x10 run everyday.

I live about 100 miles south of san francicso right on the water so any temperatures below freezing are rare. With the exception of the occasional storm our weather is as mild as it gets.

 

[Morri]

we had a stray pup wander on our property so we adopted him but he had a wild streak to start with and killed one of my chickens..... well he has never done that again... not to sound to cruel to the dog but i was upset and furious so i dragged him to the dog run by his collar, then didnt let him out for weeks, oh and i yelled, growled and hit him

once so he dropped the chicken.....

now they all play together even when im inside but i wouldnt trust him with them if i werent home for an extended period of time.... so its up to the individual dog but i wouldnt risk it i would just keep them separate or alternate days/times where the chickens or the dogs are allowed outside time.... good luck

 

[millie481]

Quote:
I agree. My Basset was very protective over the day old chicks after she got aquainted with them. now the most she will do is go up to them and kiss them.

nice slobery kisses. Then off to her own business. I love it. Now to get my new puppies to do the same.

 

[rncmomx2]

Quote:
Yeah the boxer blends in well, he eats what they eat and thinks he's a chicken LOL.

He was introduced to chicks about a year ago, he hated chickens tried to eat them every time they came to the edge of the fence. He has since changed his mind and is very protective of his flock. The babies walk all over him and he doesn't mind, they peck and pull at his fur and he just lays there. I find him curled up with the chicks sometimes (the chicks covered in slobber/drool from where he is asleep

) all snoring away.