Australian Shepherds protecting chickens?

[Spires6]

My old German Shepherd loved to watch over our chickens. When they would wander to close to the neighbors or the woods, he would round them up and bring them back in the yard. His only fault was that when I had chicks, he would wait until they were about 3 weeks old (just plump enough) and wait until I left. Then he would break into the pen I had them in and go on a killing spree. He never messed with chickens of any other age. The GS dog I have now is not so good with chickens. I tried holding them in front of them last year from the time we got them and letting him see them and smell them and then I would say "Mine." He really acted like he knew what I meant and would watch them all the time but seemed to leave them alone for the first 6-7 months. Then I found 2 chickens dead in the yard a few months ago and think that he was probably the culprit.

 

[Henrietta23]

We had an Aussie with our chickens for years. He was a rescue and a very mellow dog. He eventually went blind. He never bothered the chickens at all but I'm not sure we could consider him typical of the breed. He passed away two weeks ago and perhaps coincidently we had our first hawk attack in 15 years of free ranging chickens yesterday. Jack spent a lot of time outdoors and I have to wonder if just his presence helped to deter the hawks.
We got lucky. This one pulled feathers out of the back of one of our Red Stars but she managed to get herself under cover. My son ran out to play and scared it off before it could go after anyone else. Henrietta is a little chilly but seems to be fine. No scratches, she just looks like a turken, poor dear.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

My Aussie guards everything on my property including my birds and other animals. I wouldnt trade him for anything.

 

[eponagirl]

Yes, my dogs follow me EVERYWHERE, they are called "velcro dogs" for a reason!

I am very curious of HOW dogs have "saved" chickens (probably more dogs harm them than help)...and particularly if any have helped with hawks. Somewhere on this list I saw a great pictoral someone posted of their dogs scaring away a hawk and wondered what other people have experienced with their dogs.
Again, I want to be prepared for reality and do the best that I can in the area of prevention and still find a way to let the chickens free range when I am around (they will have a coop and run too for most of the time).

Perhaps that is what everyone is trying to figure out!

 

[greathorse]

I got a very nice Aussie female when she was 18 months old. She did not know much at the time. I first worked on voice commands and leash training etc. Any time I went to work with the birds she went with me, but always on the leash I took her into the pen with them and into the coop.

As she bacame more and more comfortable I would let her go with me to feed and into the pens but on a very tight heel.

I would relax with her a bit at a time, and she now spends nearly all day around their pen and mostly worries that the squirrels are going to do something bad.

I leave her for short periods of time with my birds when they are ranging, and she has never offered to chase in any way. At night they are in the coop but she hangs around the coop and pen and makes all kinds of noise if the coyotes start to yip.

She is very good

I have no idea if this is the correct training technique, I felt is was more acclimation than training.

Hope this helps you

 

[eponagirl]

Henrietta23...I am sorry for your loss...he sounds like he was a wonderful dog. At least the chicken was ok. Maybe the hawk will be discouraged now or maybe you'll get another aussie some day (when the time is right of course).

My dogs watch over our horses and ANYTHING out of the ordinary gets alerted. (they also try to chase them alot

- that's what fencing is for)
They are young and still need to advance beyond basic obedience...turning that obedience into working commands now...but somehow I got side-tracked onto the fascinating world of chickens!!

We have the hawks right near our property, but they usually stay out of our yard and if they do get close enough,fly away if I get the camera...so maybe all I really need is a camera!!

 

[eponagirl]

Greathorse, that was very helpful...I was thinking of doing something similiar...glad to know it can work!

Teacher, as far as aussies not into work...they must have been an exception...my aussies can't WAIT for some work...partly why I want them involved in this if it is safe.

I am sure with proper training and acclimation the dogs under supervision will do fine.

Is it a bad idea to free range knowing there are hawks right there in plain sight??

 

[PortageGirl]

A large enough dog will dissuade the hawk from stooping if they're around is all... if they run TOWARDS a hawk coming near, that confuses them even more, because that's not normal PREY behaviour... A small dog is just a snack!

 

[Cara]

My father-in-law's Aussie is a chicken killer. He won't show any interest in them when he is around, but left to his own devices he'll hunt down my free ranging 'spare' roosters and kill as many as he can

 

[nzpouter]

only spare roosters..? good boy..