Any chickens chase your dog?

[ChixMama]

We have 5 chickens that are 14 weeks old and our dog is a miniature schnauzer that is 6 years old. The dog has been taught to be gentle around all things (especially my daughter and her rabbit). He has also been taught to leave the chickens alone and for the most part he just ignores them or goes out of his way to go around them when I have them in the yard. I like to have him in the yard with me when I have the chickens out because he will chase cats/rabbits in the backyard (with NO chance of catching them), and I want to make sure we don't have any cat attacks on the chickens. The only time he shows interest in the chickens is when they fly or flap their wings & move real fast. When they do this all we have to tell his him is "leave it" and he obeys. A few days ago the BR pecked him near the head (she did this when she was a little bitty chick, too) and he just jumped & moved away. Yesterday & today she started running towards him. I had him stand by me & bark (he'll only do it if you ask him to "speak"). Is there anything I can do to discourage the BR to leave him alone?

I headed her off several times. I know it seems kind of silly that my 3 lb chicken is bullying my 30 lb schnauzer but he's really a sweetheart.

 

[gryeyes]

My elderly dachshund KILLED three of my chickens when they were adolescents.

That caused me to be extra vigilant about the gate to the run, and watching where he tried to get through the fence, in order to keep the run secure from other critters.

Now that the chickens are full grown, one of them has run right past him when SHE found a way to get out and went Free Ranging for a morning. He didn't even lunge in her direction. I'm not relaxing vigilance.

I would LIKE my chickens to chase my dog, actually. He gets to live in the house and is very spoiled, so a little bit of chicken harassment would even things out, I think. I can always love him up inside, afterwards.

Because of Zorro, I can't let my chickens free range. Their run is large enough, but I so want to let my chickens out freely. At least in my large back yard!

I'm planning on locking him in the house this weekend and letting the chickens out of the run. Just while I'm able to supervise 'em.

But I'd be so much happier if the chickens could free range while Zorro is in the yard with me. *sigh*

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

I'm expecting these type of problems for our Chihuahua. Ricky Recardo is a young guy (2 years old) and VERY curious about the chicks. So rather than listen to him whine and cry while he shivers at the brooder we installed a window for them to see out and him to see in. Every one was happy, until the pecking at the glass started... Ricky has no idea that some day these will be big birds that will not be behind glass so for now he does not even flinch... I'm betting money that when he get's that first peck on the nose he will be running for the house perused by at least 2 BR girls and LARGE RIR and id bed a dime to a dollar he'd have that tail very well tucked! Good thing he can run SUPER fast

 

[ellieroo]

Have a water pistol in your pocket dog next to you chicken charges fire!! Have a large buckeye roo that actually jumped my dobe yet lives to this day but it took 3 attacks for him to wise up so you may have to fire a few rounds.

 

[NurseELB]

My doxie is afraid to go through the door if the girls are on the porch

She'll shiver all over and whine, but if they don't move, neither will she! She chased them around the yard ONCE when we first got them. They turned around and chased her back- pecked at her and bullied her until I let her in the house. Now there is an easy truce- she doesn't get too close, and they don't chase.

 

[ChixMama]

Glad we're not the only ones in this situation. I had some good chuckles at the visual images of the doxie running for her life!

Thanks for the suggestion of the water pistol--I'll try that one tonight when we let 'em out for their evening romp (chick tv time)!