New here and new to chickens

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stubby55

stubby55

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A friend gave me her flock of 20 hens and one rooster they have made the transition well but my dog and the naboirs dog won't leave them alone. What can I do short of shooting them.
 
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Do you have a fort knox of a coop and run.? If so you can just
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at your neighbor. It not it's time to trick out your coop and run so it can weather any attack. Your own dog falls under your jurisdiction and should be kept in a secure run and never allowed to meet the chickens. Generally dogs + chickens = dead chickens. You never hear of a chicken killing a dog.

The neighbor should be warned in advance if his dog kills any of your birds - he may die of lead poisoning. If you are able to catch him in the act, dump him in your car and take him to the farthest animal shelter. If the neighbor says " have you seen my dog." Tell him the truth, "I don't see him." (anymore)Otherwise catch him with a gam camera and show it to your local animal control or police.

If your chickens free range on and off your property, they are fair game to any and all predators two legged and four as well as airborne attacks. Electrified fencing around your coop and runs is very helpful in teaching critters they are NOT welcome.

The predator and coops sections can give you good ideas about beefing up security and how to persuade various predators to move on to the next farm.
 
Just noticed the photos - the biggest boo boo is using chicken wire, any predator can chew or tear through it like butter. Chicken wire only keeps chickens in. It does NOT keep predators out. It's more expensive to use 1/2" hardware cloth securely affixed to frame work, but it will repel all but the biggest, strongest predators., and is much more durable than poultry wire, A cover on your run will keep out climbers, jumpers and hawks. It could also serve to keep rain and snow off the birds.

What is under your run -dirt, gravel ??? You could use a strong wire apron around the perimeter and extending out about 18".and weighed down /hidden by rocks, stones, or plantings.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Beautiful coop!
It is normal for them to have favorite nesting boxes, if you put some fake eggs in a few more they may decide to use more but they tend to all want to use the same box if they can.
Not sure if you have seen them, but there are also quite a few threads on dogs/chickens where you might find some tips to help with your dog, ie https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/829562/training-teaching-a-dog-about-chickens and https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/866449/can-you-train-a-dog-to-not-hurt-your-chickens
X2, put some heavier wire up than chicken wire, you might want to really consider getting something really heavy gage like goat panels to put around the bottom to keep determined dogs out. Electric fence is something else to consider, that will stop most dogs.
If you have a problem with loose dogs in your neighborhood you really have to build to keep them out, you can't rely on the neighbors to keep their dogs up, even if you eliminate the current problem dogs, they often seem to show up with another one just as bad.
 
That's very nice!! Yes, my hens will only use one or two nest boxes and they have 6. Mine tend to use the end ones. Its so funny, or they will take turns and lay all eggs in one nesting box.
 

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