Made a decision

[llombardo]

Dogs are great, I have two myself.
I choose to rely on me, not them though for my birds protection.
My efforts were spent on coop and run security on all six sides.
I leave nothing to chance.
Both are secured from all known predators and well beyond.
I sleep soundly knowing this...

I never said they were to protect the birds. I don't even expect them to protect me, my job is to protect them. They are strictly a deterrent. I don't care how well something is built--nothing is 100% ever guaranteed.

 

[Dayrel]

You are doing the right thing. You've considered the up and downsides. Security is best when done in layers. If one security measure fails to stop a problem, then another layer has a good chance to make the difference.

 

[llombardo]

You are doing the right thing. You've considered the up and downsides. Security is best when done in layers. If one security measure fails to stop a problem, then another layer has a good chance to make the difference.

Thank you. That is my thought process. I want to see nothing hurt or killed. I just want them to stay away.

 

[RonP]

Agreed, adding layers of security could prove beneficial.

My coop and run has had its share of predator attacks, probably every known predator in my area, including several large neighborhood dogs and this determined red fox. My dogs notified me diligently... I chose not having them engage avoiding potential injury on each occasion.

This is an older picture. I shot this predator several times... with my camera... knowing full well he would leave discouraged as he would be no match for my multiple layers of protection (heavy fencing, covered with hardware cloth, including roof and 2 foot skirt).

Best offence is a strong defence.