Should I add a blind?

[msviolaceous]

Here's our coop:

We live in a hot and humid client, and we know that certain irresponsible schmucks in this neighborhood let their dogs run loose on purpose. I'm worried that if a dog comes and chases them through the fence they will run until they get heatstroke. If a dog comes, will they hide in the coop? I was thinking of adding a section of plywood along the back of the fence behind the coop so that they can huddle there if something scares them, but I'd rather not block breezes if it isn't necessary. Would they think to go in the coop? Or would they realize the dog isn't getting through and huddle in the middle?

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

They'll run around like chickens with their heads cut off!

Just kidding!

I bring in foster dogs all the time. My chickens don't pay the least bit attention
to them even when they're jumping on the run wire. My back wall and one side
is solid, I don't know if that gives them more sense of security or not.

If you didn't want to block air flow you could put a solid back and partial side
only 1/2 way up.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

My chicks have gotten used to our dogs. With a guide dog puppy in training, a therapy dog/pet in training (lab and Golden) and a boston terrier jack russell mix it was either get over it or be annoyed often. We also watch our friend's dogs (we can't say no, what's one more?) and have had various rescues as well. The chickens don't care.

 

[bryan99705]

You should be fine but I would tarp the roof for shade and definatly skirt that run, dogs will dig under the bottom rail fast!

 

[msviolaceous]

Quote:
It's skirted, the skirt is buried! And it's under a tree so there's a lot of shade.

 

[citychickx6]

My chickens run into the coop when a dog is in the alley behind the house.
( The coop is about 10 ft off the back fence and 6 ft off the side fence. The yard fence is 6 ft tall as is the run. Not sure why mine panic, maybe it is cause they are young. Maybe they are just chicken.

)

 

[dawj]

When cats come around our girls go in the hen house and don't make a peep until cats are gone.

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
Haha! My chickens beat the CRAP out of my cats! LOL The cat's are very intimidated by the chickens - it's pretty funny!

What a GREAT coop/run, msviola! You guys did a terrific job!

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Maybe it all depends on which animals the chicks were raised with. We've had our original girls since they were six weeks and the dogs have always been here. That and for guide dog training and bird distraction I take our guide dog puppy on a short leash to walk around the coop to get him over any interest in birds. This, I guess, has worked well for both species. Ha ha. My Boston mix just likes to eat chicken poop. LOL

 

[BoltonChicken]

Question: Will a cat attack a fully grown chicken?

Answer: Only once. Cats learn very quickly.

By the way, I would put more cover over that run. You and I live in the same super-heated part of the U.S., and even though it is under a tree the chickens can always
use more shade.