Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[MissMac]

We've had our girls since June and they're wonderful. I love pottering down the garden to have a gossip with them They haven't been allowed to free-range as yet because the garden fence isn't secure and we're planning on a few improvements first to make sure that they can't get out.

 

When I was putting the Grub back in tonight, one of the girls made a run for it and got a few steps past me when she was pounced on by our very soft and over-exuberant spaniel and pinned to the ground. I got the dog off, only for her to dive back on the chicken again.

 

Miss Bartlett was swiftly captured and stuck back in her eglu run, and the dog is now feeling sorry for herself on the patio. There doesn't seem to be any injury to the chicken and she seems calm enough now that she's safe in her run.

 

Does anyone have any advice for incorporating the animals safely, as we would like the chickens to free-range when we've finished the garden renovations in the Spring.

[debbie9946]

I have 3 dogs, 3 cats and 3 guinea pigs, oh and four hens. They can adapt to each other. I do have one dog that is still getting used to the hens, I do have to have my guard up with her. When I got my hens, I had a chair on the grass that I sat on with the dog at my side on a lead, so I could restrain her if necessary . 4 weeks on, she is off the lead and happy to lie by my chair, and the chooks just ignore her. Amazing what a bit of positive praise and a treat can do.

[Olly]

If you look in the FAQs, there is a whole thread on 'dogs and chickens' - here's a link. *Click*