"Chiweenie" or "Mexican hot dog", Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, vs Rooster?

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Buckhowdy

Buckhowdy

Chirping
5 Years
Sep 14, 2014
71
14
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Our new Chiweenie puppy was doing fine with the new pullets in our back yard. However one night we could see through the window that he was chasing them around the coop. I corrected the behavior, but noticed it happening more often. One night I went out to check on the coop and noticed one chicken was missing. With a flashlight in the back yard I eventually found the solo pullet hiding in compost. It was ok except that it was missing feathers on its back. Later I found lots of feathers in a place where it was easily corralled and molested by the puppy.

This dog weighs about 12 lbs. Do you think that adding a Rooster or two will correct this behavior? I'm building a run but would still like them to free range when the garden is dormant.
 
Buckhowdy said:
Our new Chiweenie puppy was doing fine with the new pullets in our back yard. However one night we could see through the window that he was chasing them around the coop. I corrected the behavior, but noticed it happening more often. One night I went out to check on the coop and noticed one chicken was missing. With a flashlight in the back yard I eventually found the solo pullet hiding in compost. It was ok except that it was missing feathers on its back. Later I found lots of feathers in a place where it was easily corralled and molested by the puppy.

This dog weighs about 12 lbs. Do you think that adding a Rooster or two will correct this behavior? I'm building a run but would still like them to free range when the garden is dormant.
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Eventually your dog will kill one, then you'll lose more, even games can become a killing when things get out of hand, Please don't let your dog be alone with your pullets. Even a rooster doesn't stand much of a chance with something with teeth. Some rooster could probably hold their own but why put your chickens under such stress? A good fence or pen is the way to go or keep you dog inside when the chickens are out foraging, you can work on training your dog to leave them alone but it has to be complete dedication on your part to do it.
 
Every time your puppy goes outside, go with him...correct any unwanted behavior with a scruff of his neck and a very loud "no!". It may take a while but should work. Just make sure he's never unattended in the yard. I have 3 dachshunds with a very high prey drive and was quite worried about how they would handle my chickens. I made sure I was always with them when the hens were ranging, thankfully they have been fine apart from the initial excitement of the first meeting....plus my chickens are pretty confident and in fact chase the dogs around the yard! Never knew chickens would do that, and they are all hens,no rooster!
 
I don't think a rooster is the solution to your problem. On going, consistent training of the dog is needed as well as keeping dog and chickens completely separate when you are not able to supervise. The dog may or may not learn to respect a rooster and in the meantime this is all going to escalate. Possibly you'd find an aggressive rooster who didn't mind going after the dog, perhaps spurring him in the face/eye etc. It's just kind of a recipe for a big mess either way. Keep in mind that some dogs can be trained to leave birds alone, others just never will be trustworthy. With that in mind your chickens need a secure, dog proof coop/run to protect them in the meantime.
 
I agree with the above posters. You need to work on training the dog and separate the dog and chickens. A rooster may or may not deter your dog. Your rooster may wind up dead. What good would that do? Definitely work on training the dog.
 
cafarmgirl said:
I don't think a rooster is the solution to your problem. On going, consistent training of the dog is needed as well as keeping dog and chickens completely separate when you are not able to supervise. The dog may or may not learn to respect a rooster and in the meantime this is all going to escalate. Possibly you'd find an aggressive rooster who didn't mind going after the dog, perhaps spurring him in the face/eye etc. It's just kind of a recipe for a big mess either way. Keep in mind that some dogs can be trained to leave birds alone, others just never will be trustworthy. With that in mind your chickens need a secure, dog proof coop/run to protect them in the meantime.
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ITA with cafarmgirl.
 
After I found the missing pullet, I haven't left the dog alone with the chickens. I've corrected the dog several times on supervised interactions. When we've had to leave the dog in the yard, I've put the chickens in the coop. Sounds like I need to supervise all dog-chicken interactions. Supervised interactions are opportunities to train the dog. I won't let this escalate. I'll build a run. I'll train the dog, and protect the flock! "No dogs or chickens were harmed in the making of this film." That's how I want the movie to end!
 
Buckhowdy said:
After I found the missing pullet, I haven't left the dog alone with the chickens. I've corrected the dog several times on supervised interactions. When we've had to leave the dog in the yard, I've put the chickens in the coop. Sounds like I need to supervise all dog-chicken interactions. Supervised interactions are opportunities to train the dog. I won't let this escalate. I'll build a run. I'll train the dog, and protect the flock! "No dogs or chickens were harmed in the making of this film." That's how I want the movie to end!
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I have 3 mini dachshunds and they are fine with the adult chickens but I still would never let them be with chicks, it just kicks in the prey drive. Found that out the hard way when one of my dachshunds brought inside through the doggie door a dead duckling. Heart breaking to say the least. The gate didn't get closed all the way and the duckling slipped into their side of the yard.
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