Neighbor's Shepherd puppy

[stretchc1]

I anticipate moving my chicks to the coop in about two or three weeks. The neighbors (whose very small yard is separated from my very small yard by a chain link fence) have a German shepherd puppy under a year old. She is not particularly well-trained (yet?), and she barks A LOT. I'm not sure they will ever get her to stop barking so much, so I suppose my chicks will just have to adjust to the noise.

But is there any way to "introduce" them to one another? I have read the posts about the chicks and the family dog, but I'm wondering whether there's a way to keep my chicks from being terrified by the barking. Any ideas?

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I think they will be OK with the barking. They will hear it so much they will ignore it.

 

[Sequin]

My dogs do not bark excessively, but they Do bark at a wide variety of things daily(I have 5 large dogs). My chickens have never been bothered by dogs barking. I wouldn't worry about it too much if it is just noise you are concerned with. My chicks don't really react to the dogs barking either. With the exception of their first one or two excursions outside. After that, they don't even bother with the dogs and the noise. If you act like everything is fine and dandy it will help in assuring your chickens that there is nothing to worry about.

 

[cmom]

I think they will get used to it too.

 

[Kelly G]

Our neighbors leave their dog outside all the time - I don't even know why they have it, as they don't spend time with it. Even feeding it and watering it end up being a real chore to them. The give it clean food and water about every 3 days in a large bucket. Poor dog.

This dog barks constantly. Day and night. He charges the chickens occasionally (we have a 6' fence around them, surrounded by our 4' perimeter fence around the 2.5 acres) and they don't flinch or even take notice. And they've ignored him since they first day they were put outside at 4 weeks.

 

[stretchc1]

Thanks, everyone. That makes me feel better. I was worried that I was building this lovely coop that the chickens would hate because of the beast to the east!

 

[eggsited chickens]

I will agree, our dog barks a lot when I'm by the coop. The first bark will make them scatter but after that they are used to it and don't give two hoots.