Are Dogs Always Predators to Chickens?

[Robinluvschicks]

The key word is ALWAYS. The answer has to be no. I have a pit (yes, monster, killer of anything that moves). He completely ignores my chickens even when the get out of their "yard". My girls are in more danger from the Hawks than my dog.

 

[GAchickennewbie]

I have both a herd dog and a bird dog, Blue Heeler and English springer spaniel. Both do fantastic with the chickens (and other pets). The spaniel completely ignores the chickens but the Heeler treats them as if they are "family" and she's gentle around them. She can be running across the yard but will stop and walk through the middle of the flock so she doesn't' spook them. She even makes a effort to look away from the chickens, no eye contact, as she walks through the middle of the flock.

I've even had a case of a coturnix quail getting loose and flying across the yard. The heeler chased it as if I had thrown a tennis ball. I thought for sure the quail would be killed, but she grabbed the quail and brought it back to me, barely a wet feather. She watches the free range chicken chicks but I think that's guarding, she makes no move to chase or scare them.

I've never lost a chicken to the dogs or the cat.

I did make a introduction to the dogs with chicks. I wanted them to know the chicks are family too and should not be bothered. I've never had to correct the dogs though other than saying the spaniels name when she scatters the chickens by running through them. Springers can be excitable.

Your dog running through the flock is what we call chicken bowling at my house. My giant schnauzer does it.

 

[trapperwv1]

Update to my original question, my dogs and chickens are full grown and the dogs pay no attention to the chickens now if fact I think they wonder how they survived and grew bigger, they just look at them and walk away.

 

[carlf]

My lab sees my chickens as part of the pack.
Lets them eat a few kibbles of dry food out of her bowl, then she shoves them off with her snout but doesn't act aggressive one bit.
When it rains, sometimes they get in the doghouse with her.
My one hen even squats for her, the lab licks her back when she does this.
Kinda funny.