4 month old puppies just killed 15 chickens

[Sophia M]

We have 2 puppies.. half German shepherd and half Australian shepherd. We have been working with them and trying to train them as we have a hobby farm. I raise everything. Just last night they dug under the stall into where I keep 90 fryers.. and killed about 15 or 20 of them. No matter what I do with these dogs they insist on taking out a chicken. I have even taken them in the stalls I have the chickens in and made them sit while I feed them.. They know while I am standing there or in the area they are to sit and not tough any birds. I don't know what to do.. we love the dogs but I cannot have them killing live stock. Anyone deal with this and have any suggestions besides getting rid of the dogs or shooting them... I have heard those already and its not an option at this point. I think when they are older they will grow out of this because all the dogs we have ever had eventually know that the chickens are part of the farm and they are not allowed to touch them. These two are a handful... where we got them from they were also fed road kill... which we do not approve of however had no control over up until 8 weeks when we took them home. I am not sure if that has any bearing on this but thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[centrarchid]

I deal with dogs and will not waist your time going into details.


Pups still too young regardless of breed. Diet not important either. All problems will start and end with your efforts. Upgrade pen perimeter and even consider some hotwire. Then begin process of training pups. Expect to invest an additional 24 months. You are far from having a complete loss even on the dog side.


See link of very limited details. (post 35)


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1000850/need-good-ol-chicken-dog/30#post_15552287

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree. They're just babies. I like the idea of hotwire around the perimeter of the run. You don't have to keep an eye on them every second that way.