Our dogs got 3 of our chickens today

[Angelbirdy]

We are still working furiously to get the run built around our new coop build, and the temporary pen is not predator safe, just a way to contain the chicks in our fenced backyard. Unfortunately my son left the back door open and I came in the front door with the house dogs (terrier mix and lab dachshund mix). Had no idea the dogs had run through the back door since we were in front having a heart to heart while I paused my work in the back. One dog was badly tangled in the bird net cover with 3 dead chicks and several more hiding in the little shelter. Two other chicks emerged later from hiding in the lilacs. They’re 7 weeks old and sadly the 3 out of the 5 we’ve named as favorites were the ones killed. I’m so sad that I left them unattended and I’m so ready for this safe haven to finally be finished. I had hopes that we could train the dogs to protect the hens, but both have a strong predator instinct and have been trying to escape to the chickens since they arrived.

 

[sourland]

You might want to consider hot wire around the pen. Once shocked - forever educated. It works for pet dogs and mammalian predators.

 

[orloffer]

I am sorry you lost some of your chicks! Sometimes it happens, but with many precautions, it can be avoided. Have you done any work with trying to train the dogs to ignore the chickens? Of course, with high prey-drive dogs, this is not easy and is not always very successful.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry for the losses

Dogs LOVE the chase ... You may want to consider chicken wire, it's alot better than the bird netting. How old are the chicks? You may want to consider keeping them in the coop until the run is completed.

I have a 8x12x7 confounded area for my chickens (4 - 6) ... Neighbors got dogs on both sides which aside from poop all over the patio, is the safest for them. Without thinking I rescued a dog (DNA = Pit/Catahoula/Airdale/mix) Chickens are safe, although he loves to "run up" to their enclosure, it's been 5mos and they're not so bothered anymore. He does leave them alone unless I'm feeding them, have had the door cocked but I know he'd love to chase.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It always seems to be the favorites that get killed.

 

[Angelbirdy]

You might want to consider hot wire around the pen. Once shocked - forever educated. It works for pet dogs and mammalian predators.

I’m thinking about either that or using a vibrating collar for training that can shock if vibrations don’t do the trick.

 

[Angelbirdy]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It always seems to be the favorites that get killed.

Thank you so much.

 

[Angelbirdy]

Sorry for the losses

Dogs LOVE the chase ... You may want to consider chicken wire, it's alot better than the bird netting. How old are the chicks? You may want to consider keeping them in the coop until the run is completed.

I have a 8x12x7 confounded area for my chickens (4 - 6) ... Neighbors got dogs on both sides which aside from poop all over the patio, is the safest for them. Without thinking I rescued a dog (DNA = Pit/Catahoula/Airdale/mix) Chickens are safe, although he loves to "run up" to their enclosure, it's been 5mos and they're not so bothered anymore. He does leave them alone unless I'm feeding them, have had the door cocked but I know he'd love to chase.

Yes! I’m glad your chickens seem safe on all fronts. I can hardly wait to get the enclosed run with hardware cloth finished. For now we have a 4 foot hardware cloth moveable pen with netting over the top to discourage the hawks, but it’s not resistant to leaping animals, therefore really just a way to keep them safer than free ranging during the day. They had begun to peck at each other in their brooder and are so ready to be in their new home.

 

[Angelbirdy]

I am sorry you lost some of your chicks! Sometimes it happens, but with many precautions, it can be avoided. Have you done any work with trying to train the dogs to ignore the chickens? Of course, with high prey-drive dogs, this is not easy and is not always very successful.

Not yet, the most we had done was use the “leave it” command when transporting the chicks to their pen from the indoor brooder tank each morning and evening. I was waiting for the chicks to get big enough to give a few nasty pecks if threatened since the dogs are both under 25 pounds. As little chicks, my dog would actually lick her chops when looking at them, so I was pretty afraid to try to introduce them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’m thinking about either that or using a vibrating collar for training that can shock if vibrations don’t do the trick.

I am sorry about your loss. The problem with the collar is that you have to supervise. You have to be there to catch the dog(s) in the act and activate the collar. Your timing has to be accurate. Too late, and you still end up with dead or mauled chickens. Your dogs have already learned (sadly) that they can kill chickens. An electric fence is ALWAYS there, whether you are on duty or not, even if you are asleep or away from home. It is not cruel, because any shock they get is entirely self-inflicted, and it is not severe enough to cause harm. Usually one encounter with the fence is sufficient to teach an aversion to the enclosure and hopefully, to chickens. Good luck!