are your dogs and chicken friends

[AngieO]

They all usually get along. One day however my chihuahua decided to chase after one of my roosters. I yelled at the dog and while the dogs back was turned the rooster jumped at him..lol I felt bad because Beau wasn't paying attention when the rooster decided to get revenge All is well though. Sometimes I see my ducks take off down the driveway and then I see a little dog giving chase. Thankfully no attacks as I have been there done that with other dogs I have owned. I will never own a dog that kills my birds again as that was too hard to lose all my birds.

 

[dldolan]

My just-turned 1 year old border collie/cattle dog/malamute mix has been coming with me into the chicken pen since he understood the command, "stay" at @ 4months, putting him on his "base"--a feed sack, while I did chicken chores inside the run. He did grab a (younger) pullet two separate times when he was about 8-10 months old, when it 1. squawked like an idiot and 2. ran right at him. (What's a pup to do? Very importantly, he dropped them on my command and they weren't hurt.) He has been on a tether watching them in the garden area, and although obedient while I am around, I have not totally trusted him (maybe it's the licking of chops when he is watching them??

) . I forgot the other day and let the chickens out into the garden, then walked into the house. About 15 minutes later it suddenly dawned on me that he was out loose and so were my chooks! (Although protective of his gals, my rooster wouldn't be a match for a 60-lb dog.) I ran out to find him "guarding" watchfully from the concrete patio. Good boy! ( I have been worried about the "malamute" % overriding the herding dog in him, so was glad all went well this first (unintentional) trial!

I agree, that a trigger event can work... I think the "guard" instinct hit a few weeks ago when a hawk threatened the flock, and my rooster, Joe, was screaming at it, and the dog came and barked at the hawk. Who knows what/when the timing of the "herd/guard" instinct will kick in? I, too, have always made it a point to carry a hen around, telling the pup, "MY bird!". My Maine coon cat is the disciplinarian of the dog, and walks right through the chickens, never chasing or hunting them, so I think that has been the dog's example!

 

[outdoorsii]

"Munky" & "cinder" laying on Dozer



Our 12.5 yr old Choc Lab "Dozer" & golden laced wyandotte baby "Munky"!

 

[Doug Hodges]

I got my lab because he killed the chickens of the people that had her. I have taken her right through the middle of them and she hasnt chased any. Im training her to be a duck dog so I have been doing a lot of training. I dont leave her alone with the chickens. My geese on the other hand come to the fence trying to get at my dogs. LOL. Its a funny site. It makes my dogs crazy. When I open the gate, no one wants to go to the other side. They are actually scared of each other. LOL. I have two Great Dane pups (9 mo). Lab pup (9 mo) and a 3 year old Min Pin/Feist mix. I have 6 hens and a rooster and I have 6 geese, two horses and 6 cats.

 

[albchickenfarm]

I wish my dog could do that! She is a bird dog, so instead she would try to eat them.

 

[859007]

how do you train your dogs to be nice to chickens. I have a english bulldog and a great dane that almost killed my chickens 3 times

 

[travifive]

how do you train your dogs to be nice to chickens. I have a english bulldog and a great dane that almost killed my chickens 3 times

I know some may not agree with this but it worked well on my Catahoula who was bred for baying hogs. I have a trainging collar that can emit a click or a shock. If used properly it is very effective. Watch as many videos from real pros and you'll get the idea. Be firm with your negative response and reward even the slightest positive try. Levi my Catahoula will even let chickens eat out of his bowl after he's done. He has realized that the chickens are part of his job now. If you decided to get one make sure it has a variable shock control so you can turn the intensity up or down depending on the personality of the dog. My dog was very responsive to even the slightest shock yet my friends pit bull was very stubborn and wouldn't even pay attention to anything below the halfway mark. Feel free to PM me if you want. I'm not a pro but I'll share everything I know. Be patient and you'll do fine.

 

[travifive]

Moose is the protector of our chickens, he is also a very accomplished duck retriever. He has fought off a neighbor hood lab that got around the gate. We don't allow our chickens to free range unless Moose is out with them.

On the hunt....

There is something so awesome about the look in dog's eye when they are working. Beautiful dog and a very nice pic!

 

[n8mont4]

My dog LOVED my cornish cross meat birds. They did not return the feelings of love. haha

 

[n8mont4]

I wish my dog could do that! She is a bird dog, so instead she would try to eat them.

I have a german shorthair (bird dog) That is very gentle to animals. You just have to train them