Topic of the Week - Dogs and Chickens

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We have a greyhound Pitbull mix. She is about 6 years old and I can say that being gentle with / ignoring our chickens just came naturally to her. We had a pop-up puppy playpen that we used as our containment when they were very young. We had it in our family room / TV room so she was just used to their smells and sounds. When we finally let them outside she always wanted to lay out in the yard and keep an eye on them. Lucky enough, she even tries to chase away cats and squirrels that try to venture into the yard. Like I said, we were sincerely blessed that there was no training necessary. The chickens don't seem to mind her at all. Whether she's napping in the grass or walking around, they could kind of care less. And when our neighbors dogs get loud and riled up they actually run to her as kind of a sense of security.
 
I have a Labrador mastiff mix, probably some more breeds mixed in. He likes to run after the chicken. I think he likes to chase when they behave as prey animals. Especially when they start to run and squeek. I am lucky because the rooster does not use his spurs (he is a big guy!) And stays in between him and the hens. My dog just chases a second and stops when I tell him no. I mostly keep them separated. The funny thing is that they found a way to co-exists, if i stand at a specific spot and both have a safe place to cross the hens just wait till he passes, and as long as they don't talk or run, he leaves them alone too even though he sees them. The hens are smart. You can see them prepare for him passing when they hear his gait on the gravel.
 
my german shorthair just killed all 3 of my chickens and I am going to keep her on a tie out when my new ones arrive. Sad. my other gsp ignores the chickens.
 

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