Unsecure chicken perches

[Mumpty]

A friend came by today with her Labrador and within minutes it had barged it's way into the run clambering over the Omlet fencing and had poor Blossom in in it's mouth! We managed to free her, but the dog just turned and grabbed poor Alice. After much screaming and flapping, we managed to free her too, but unfortunately she had large puncture wounds in her abdomen and was so shocked, she had to be put to sleep. I'm still shaking 6 hours later ! We are now down to just two girls and they look very lost in their large cube.

[coco]

So sorry, what an awful shock for you. Hope your other two girls are ok.

[sparkysmum]

This is dreadful, I'm so sorry to read of this. I know from experience that dogs and chickens just don't mix. I have two dogs who I can trust with the hens but this took a great deal of training but also a couple of near misses with neighbours dogs. I'm afraid that with the exception of my own dogs my garden is a "no dog "zone.

I expect your friend is feeling dreadful too. On a slightly happier note, your cube must seem a bit empty, perhaps this might be a good time to introduce some new ladies Hope this didn't seem insensitive . Alli x

[Mumpty]

Thanks Ali. Not at all, we had lost two in the spring and I was already thinking of adding some more girls. I have two dogs too and cats and like you, I can trust mine, but just didn't think anyone else's could be a problem. My friend brought her dog over to meet my two as I had offered to have her dog while she moved house. We thought it might be nice to see if the dogs got on. Needless to say, the dog is now going into kennels when they move.

[hammy72]

Oh that is so awful, really sorry to hear that. Makes me even more wary about introducing my dogs to the chickens. We might all be happier if the chickens continue to have their "chicken out" time when the dogs are safely in our house, or I should start saving for a walk in run so that we can all be in the garden safely together. Thanks for the warning about other peoples dogs too, my neighbours dog definately won't be coming round as he is not under control at all.

[migsy]

Poor you Mumpty. Hope you have a settled evening. Sounds like you need a stiff drink.