Loosing hens :(

[Mattsiewrt94]

I had about 8 chickens 2 were roosters the rest are hens they are acting real funny my and disappearing I let them free range where they want but I guess at night I'm gonna start locking them up because idk what's doing this I really feel it's my dogs/chihuahuas I can usually tell because they are not eaten they just are dead and also another one of my hens has all of it rear end feather gone like something had a grip on it's back feathers and took the out, they still eat and drink so they don't seem sick but before last week they would go all around my house do whatever with the dogs outside but now they go out the barn door and only go a foot or two away from it like there scared I don't mean to be so detailed but I only have 6 hens about to be five I need the other rooster gone to. But how can I get my birds to act normal should I start keeping them lock up in the coop for a week or to so they can start feeling comfortable. I'm pretty sure there scared of something that's out there and they don't want to leave at all

 

[sourland]

Find and eliminate the predator, and your chickens will start acting normally. Until then, keep them penned up so that they are saf4. Why do you think it is your dogs? It may very well be a wild predator.

 

[Mattsiewrt94]

Idk what it could be and because my dogs get to gether they get cocky and attack them and sometimes some of them get them I feel it's my dogs because they just chase and bite them they never eat them I feel if it was a predator It would eat them I did see a stray cat in the woods but wouldn't they be eaten idk..

 

[sourland]

Sounds as if it is time to train your dogs or get rid of your chickens. It is our responsibility as owners/keepers to protect the animals in our charge.

 

[bobbi-j]

Sounds as if it is time to train your dogs or get rid of your chickens.  It is our responsibility as owners/keepers to protect the animals in our charge.

X2. If you can't control the dogs, either build your chickens a secure run or get rid of the chickens.

 

[Eva Haley-Lock]

don't give up on your chickens. if it is your dogs you need to train them, or keep them separated from your flock. it could possibly be something more like a sickness, or dehydration. make sure there is a lot of ventilation in the coop, and build a sturdy run for your hens. make sure there is always water and food for your flock.

 

[jadeguppy]

I feel there is no excuse for letting dogs near chickens when you know they will go after the chickens. I have three large dogs and never let them out when the chickens are out. I am working one at a time to train them to leave the chickens alone, but I still don't trust them. My biggest dog doesn't go out to hurt them, but his style of chase ends with a very stressed bird or a squished and dead bird.

Also, yes, start locking them up a night. It is much safer for them.

 

[lazy gardener]

Dogs will also succumb to the pack mentality. A dog alone, may not bother the chickens, but if one gives chase, the others will follow unless they are extremely well trained. If OP's dogs chase chickens, they very well could be the reason the chickens are dying. It could be a combination of dogs and an other wild predator. chickens not locked up at night might as well be wearing a neon sign that says "eat me."

 

[Didymus]

If I had an inkling of dogs, cats, chickens attacking and/or killing each other, I would find out who and either restrain them, or get rid of them all together. There is just no place in my life for that kind of behavior. It is cruel and intolerable. Sorry, I just take a stance on this.