Sigh. Might have to think about just BUYING eggs!

[Highlander]

I definitely think a secure run would be useful even if you do plan on free-ranging most of the time. It just gives you the option of keeping them safer if needed ie stray dogs roaming the neighbourhood, coyote spotted in the woods, if you have to run to town and don't feel comfortable with not being able to supervise etc.

I am glad you are taking the criticism on the chin and working towards a better solution for you and your birds. There are lots who wouldn't be as open-minded. Good for you.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

One thing I would add is that if you free-range, do not let chicks out unsupervised. They are so small that virtually anything can and will get them in no time. If they have a mama hen, that should help tremendously; if a daddy that will help even more. If you raise them yourself, you need to be right there watching them closely if you let them out.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
A run is nice. I've had chickens for years, but didn't have a run for them until this year. It's nice to know that they can be kept in the run/coop if I'm going to be gone for a few days. I make sure they have enough food and water, they can be inside or outside with plenty of room and they're fine. It's a good thing to have if they're small, too. They can be outside and yet protected. I don't let my chickens free range until they are too big to tempt the cats. All bets are off if a chick gets loose.

edited to correct spelling

 

[kuntrygirl]

Re-homing those dogs anytime soon?

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

You know the dog whisperer had a segment where he went to the home the of the author of Marley and Me and worked with the new dog around their chickens. They had a tractor and let the chickens out once in a while. I think the dog had already killed a chicken or 2. It was interesting to watch. I did a few of the things he did, with my dog in combination with an e-collar. Don't give up! You can keep chickens!...alive!

 

[Muggsmagee]

If you can fence them in, that would be a great alternative. Instead of free range, they can be pastured. It has worked for us, with the occasional chicken getting out, but not one has been lost to the neighbor's dogs. The added benefit is it is one more deterent to other predators.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
ONCE!

 

[PamB]

I just have to say I'm so upset after reading those posts about beating and whipping dogs! This is horrible and, in fact, is animal abuse. So sad.

 

[Royd]

Quote:
As I said, earlier, how do you think the animal kingdom deals with unwanted intrusion, upon their group? And do you think that the intruder gets the point after being stomped on, hooked or ripped to shreds.....Well, my dogs learned the first time, with overwhelming submission, lots of noise and few slaps to the face....Now, who's closer to reality, the person who spends months of effort and worry, and money, trying to keep their dog away from the chickens, or someone who deals with it harshly, for thirty seconds, and never worries about it, ever again?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
As I said, earlier, how do you think the animal kingdom deals with unwanted intrusion, upon their group? And do you think that the intruder gets the point after being stomped on, hooked or ripped to shreds.....Well, my dogs learned the first time, with overwhelming submission, lots of noise and few slaps to the face....Now, who's closer to reality, the person who spends months of effort and worry, and money, trying to keep their dog away from the chickens, or someone who deals with it harshly, for thirty seconds, and never worries about it, ever again?

I have to agree with Royd.