"had them tied near the pen at first, and once they began ignoring the birds, began walking each of them when i free ranged the birds"
Exactly what I did and worked like magic---but, a couple times immediately afterward, he did 'catch' a bird in his paws and was sniffing it --while the bird was shreeking!!! He got a wallop for that--Bad Dog!!! Started going out with him and playing with him away from the birds. He has never hurt another bird, nor chased it. He even waits to them to get out of his way most of the time. He seems to understand they are pets too. not a toy.
I would say this all took about 6 months of going out with him around the hens. I got where I'd leave him alone with them longer periods of time, beginning with only a couple minutes, while still close. We are really pleased. He's just a dog-dog, mixed breed. I think he's happy too.
Exactly what I did and worked like magic---but, a couple times immediately afterward, he did 'catch' a bird in his paws and was sniffing it --while the bird was shreeking!!! He got a wallop for that--Bad Dog!!! Started going out with him and playing with him away from the birds. He has never hurt another bird, nor chased it. He even waits to them to get out of his way most of the time. He seems to understand they are pets too. not a toy.
I would say this all took about 6 months of going out with him around the hens. I got where I'd leave him alone with them longer periods of time, beginning with only a couple minutes, while still close. We are really pleased. He's just a dog-dog, mixed breed. I think he's happy too.