Thinking about chickens.....

[Jennamah]

Hey all- I live in Colorado and have been thinking about chickens for awhile. I just found out that my town allows 4 chickens and a coop with a floor plan of no bigger than 8x10. My first question and concern is about my dogs. I have two small dogs and one medium size one.
Will keeping backyard chickens increase my risk of predators coming into my yard thus putting my dogs at greater risk? We have a 6 foot fence around our backyard. I would of course make the coop predator proof. But I worry about my dogs that have a doggie door open til about 9pm at which point it is closed for the night. We have fox racoon and coyotes in the area.
Thanks for the advice. Hope the question makes sense.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Welcome to BYC! You have come to the coolest place on the internet for chicken knowledge.

I started with chickens last summer and the people of BYC have been great. This year I have tried hatching and buying chicks for even more chickeny joy. Please visit my BYC Page for my blog links that you may find informative or amusing.

 

[P-Funk]

Hi, and

It's the dogs you need to worry about being the predators On another note - You can go to 'Where am I? Where are you?' and click on the Colorado thread. There are lots of us here!

 

[zoo357]

from NW Indiana.
I don't think our chickens have brought any more predators on our property then were here before.

 

[flightfeather21]

There hasen't been much predators than before, either.

 

[rtlightfoot]

With a 6' fence i really wouldnt worry about it too much as long as you maintain it and walk the perrimiter to make sure nothing has been digging under. a 6' fence is enough to deter most serious predators. The only concern would be birds of prey but with a covered run i doubt you will have much to attract them.

I second the oppinion about the dogs becomming the predators. They are gonna have a lot of opportunity to figgure out how to get into the coop.

 

[dkvart1]

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined.

 

[Jennamah]

Thanks everyone!
Ok so ... out of my dogs, only one has any prey drive and at this point he only chases rabbits and squirrels.
I know some of you out there must have chickens and dogs. Any tips, advice, warnings etc......