one of my chickens got killed :( how to i make the run more predator proof?

[adam12321]

so basically I got my chickens about a week and a half ago and we never had problems with them getting attacked, but..... today my cousin's dog (their our neighbors) visited us and at first, it was pleasant and we petted him and everything was fine, but then he went sniffing around the fence of the run, and I wasn't stressed at all because he had done it before. so I continued to pet my dog for about 30-ish seconds and then I looked again to check on the dog and the chickens, but this time the dog wasn't just sniffing around, he was on the wall that the fence is attached to (keep in mind that I tried to barricade it as much as I can) so, at first glance, it wasn't anything serious at all, because he is a very but I mean VERY dumb dog (and I'm not exaggerating at all) so he somehow finds the tiniest hole (he's a small dog) between the fence and a tall bush that (supposedly) keeps predators from coming in, also that hole is covered by leaves so I didn't think he will notice, but then. I noticed that he was tracking one of my chickens through that hole, so as I was getting up to move away, he just JUMPS in there and starts chasing my chickens, keep in mind they're only 4 months old so they can't even try to defend themselves so I just start freaking out and without even thinking twice I help my cousin get in there and pick up his dog and teach him a lesson, but... he had already caught one when my cousin picked him up so my cousin started hitting him so he would let go of the goddamn chicken, but he couldn't so I opened the dog's mouth with force and successfully released the chicken, but while I did that I've realized it was too late I've already heard bones crunching and she was dead.. so yeah I know its a long story and I have some mixed feelings about it, but I have to focus on the important thing which is how to prevent that from happening in the future, so please reply if you feel like it because I care about them. here are some pictures of everything

(the last picture is a picture of the hole he jumped through)

 

[urbanhenhouse]

It's a little hard to tell from the photos, but any type of growth next to an open top run can assist predators in getting in - raccoons, cats, etc. The fence certainly doesn't seem tall enough to keep a jumping dog out? I think you have to measure your risk here - will you have many stranger dogs in your backyard? Perhaps you insist they be leashed. Do you have other types of predators in your neighborhood that you need to protect against? You might want to cut back that bush so that it doesn't assist other predators, or impede your fence building.

 

[Angileen]

Make sure their are no holes, cover the top of the run and buy some dig defense so animals can't dig under the fence.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I'm sorry for you bird, and this is how many of us learn that we need to build better!
Your pen is totally not safe and needs to be redone, because your birds will be getting out, and most predators, not just this dog, can get inside.
A safer run would be taller, walk-in height, with a roof, and a dig-proof base. Best is with no openings larger than 1/2" diameter anywhere, and tough enough that a big dog can't just push through it. Most predators can climb, so a cover is best too.
Ask for more ideas, and plans, and budget, and move forward.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Keep dogs not vetted to be with chickens away. I have no problem telling those with improper dogs to move away promptly. Otherwise you handled things well. You can do a lot to keep ground predators out once the hole is fixed. I would be looking into keeping out raccoons and raccoons first. Part of that is keeping coop closed at night. When I have used low fencing like you have, it has been electrified. Your current fencing is poorly suited for situations where animals can walk up to it. Even a fox could clean you out during day when birds out in the run.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Agree with Folly's Place. Welcome!

And, yes, tough news but your runs is a do-over. Unfortunately so many of us are misled about how easy it is to have poultry and not many people tell you the truth about predators. You may not see any at first but it is similar to opening a new fast-food drive through: once the word gets out, predators will be frequenting your place and you will lose all the birds in short order unless you are very serious about protecting them. It costs time and materials. I ended up even laying hard-wire cloth on the floor and cementing in the seams to finally keep mice and venomous snakes out. It works - so far so good - but it was *a lot* of work for me to get this all built and it happened in stages, to be honest.

Attached are a few pictures of our run: hardwire cloth all around, fixed between boards with screws (no preying open at the edges), visual and physical barrier at the bottom, hard wire cloth walls, door with top and bottom lock and pad lock fits to within 1/8 inch, skirting all around to prevent digging under and cemented in edges.

If I were you, I would start with digging holes for 4x4s and a trench to bury the hardwire cloth walls. You can build the walls and roof easily once the 4x4s are there as a solid foundation.

I ended up covering the entire roof so it would not rain in and make a muddy mess. Thought the sunshine would be nice for them, but it worked better with sun from the sides and no water from the top. =]

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Agree with Folly's Place. Welcome!

And, yes, tough news but your runs is a do-over. Unfortunately so many of us are misled about how easy it is to have poultry and not many people tell you the truth about predators. You may not see any at first but it is similar to opening a new fast-food drive through: once the word gets out, predators will be frequenting your place and you will lose all the birds in short order unless you are very serious about protecting them. It costs time and materials. I ended up even laying hard-wire cloth on the floor and cementing in the seams to finally keep mice and venomous snakes out. It works - so far so good - but it was *a lot* of work for me to get this all built and it happened in stages, to be honest.

Attached are a few pictures of our run: hardwire cloth all around, fixed between boards with screws (no preying open at the edges), visual and physical barrier at the bottom, hard wire cloth walls, door with top and bottom lock and pad lock fits to within 1/8 inch, skirting all around to prevent digging under and cemented in edges.

If I were you, I would start with digging holes for 4x4s and a trench to bury the hardwire cloth walls. You can build the walls and roof easily once the 4x4s are there as a solid foundation.

I ended up covering the entire roof so it would not rain in and make a muddy mess. Thought the sunshine would be nice for them, but it worked better with sun from the sides and no water from the top. =]


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Is that your guinea coop and run? Love it!

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Yeah - Thanks! - it took years to get it that way. I started out thinking we don't need a run at all - I could just let the birds out in the morning and catch them at night - boy, did I learn a lot on the job!

Got the coop from an Amish builder but made sooo many modifications to the roof line, windows, screens, door, roosting bars, nest boxes, etc. That was a lot of work, too. Love our birds and it is all worth it! =]

Is that your coop and run in your avatar? If so, that looks amazing! and more pictures please!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Yeah - Thanks! - it took years to get it that way. I started out thinking we don't need a run at all - I could just let the birds out in the morning and catch them at night - boy, did I learn a lot on the job!

Got the coop from an Amish builder but made sooo many modifications to the roof line, windows, screens, door, roosting bars, nest boxes, etc. That was a lot of work, too. Love our birds and it is all worth it! =]

Is that your coop and run in your avatar? If so, that looks amazing! and more pictures please!

Thanks! That’s our chicken and duck coop. The guineas used to be in a 8x6 fenced off section of it, but it was too small, so we built a 8 x 16 cattle panel hoop coop last fall. I currently have a temporary run that’s electric poultry net with a 1x1” nylon cover (pics attached). I’m using the run to train guineas to the new coop, and to combine them to lay their eggs there. What do you use your run for?

 

[50-45-1]

I am wondering how many chickens you have for that tiny coop?
What you have constucted truly, is an enclosure to confine your chickens inside. This enclosure does absoultly nothing to keep preditors out.
Once the chickens get larger they will be out of that also
Do you lock your chickens inside the coop at night?
Im sorry you lost your chick.