Are my chickens safe around my dog?

[The ChickenKing]

I have an eight year old bernese mountain dog, he usually ignores my seven three month old pullets and I would like to know if I can feel comfortable with him around them.

 

[Curly Rob]

How's your dogs prey drive? All dogs are different. I have three Rhodesian Ridgebacks, high prey drive. Of the three, I can trust one. I've pulled a bird out of my old girls mouth (she's fine) and my young one will chase and herd them all day long. Trust your instincts, you know your dog best....

 

[The ChickenKing]

He doesn't have much of a prey drive, the only thing he'll go after is if he sees another large dog or a cat or even coons and possums occasionally. Although now that I think about it, he has chased them away from food on occasions.

 

[Folly's place]

Supervise!!! Maybe he'll be fine, maybe not. Mary

 

[Alexz7272]

My 6 year old black lab is best friend with our chickens! It all about introduction and supervising and how well you know your dog. Our pup, Lady, loves everyone and all other animals. She does help me when hunting field mice, squirrels, and rabbits however we made it clear to her chickens were not part of that group. We introduced them as they were little chicks and then monitored there on out until we moved them outside. Now they free-range and Lady protects them when she is outside as well! It truly is all about how the dog was trained and their demeanor! Best of luck!

 

[The ChickenKing]

Thanks, Lady sounds like a wonderful dog!!

 

[6of6chicks]

You're not going to feel comfortable until you train your dog. He might be calm and sweet around chickens all his life. He might be calm and sweet for years, then one day totally shock you by going after a bird. I've only been on BYC a month and have already seen *that* thread pop up several times. Or, your dog might see the chickens as toys to chase and/or walking meals. Unless you train your dog you are just hoping, blindly trusting, and gambling with your chickens' lives.

If you socialize your dog with the chickens and train him to accept them, you won't have to worry. Training takes a lot of time and patience, but it's the only way you will ever really be able to trust in your dog's behavior. It won't guarantee your dog will always be perfect, but it will dramatically increase the odds that your dog will behave the way you want.

That said, the breed and characteristics of your particular dog are also important. I have three dogs - a purebred lab who shows zero interest in the chickens; a lab-mix that wants to chase & play with the chickens (that's the dog in my avatar); and a lab/whippet mix that stalks the chickens. ALL three dogs are being intensively trained to leave the chickens alone. The first two I can trust to mix freely with the chickens under my supervision. The last one will NEVER be allowed contact with the chickens no matter how much I train her. You just have to know your dog.

Good luck and hope that helps!

 

[6of6chicks]

This also might help:

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/11/basic-chicken-etiquette-for-family-dog.html

 

[RonP]

Copied from another query:

My springer spaniel, bird dog, loves to smell my birds.
They in turn love to peck his nose.

One peck and the dog backs off.

This has been going on for five years now, without an incident.

I still don't trust my dog without strict supervision.

 

[B-Goock]

My little pug doesn't pay mine much attention. I have a couple hens that don't like him that he keeps an eye on because they have flogged him before. With him the biggest danger is he wants to get extra friendly with them.

My neighbor has an American pit bull terrier and he comes over every now and again. He is very friendly and well behaved. I used to let my chickens free range in the yard (until a fox attacked) and the only time he ever even barked at them was when they went in his yard. He is loose and can come over in my yard any time he wants and yet I was not concerned. He has even walked around the yard while the chickens were out, I was inside, and he payed them no mind. It's like he knows they belong there.

Watch them closely together and be prepared to take action.