BIG QUESTION

[rufus]

A dog will protect the property, but don't expect it to be friends with poultry. That is asking too much. Just make sure your chickens are well fenced in otherwise nature will take its course. Let them enjoy their company through a nice welded wire fence. Also, dogs tend to eat chicken poop, and that is just gross.

Rufus

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I'm a huge fan of labs. Our choc Annie is very protective of us and the 'little people' (cats, guinea pig, hoping it extends to the chicks when they are older), and a great watchdog.. although a tiny bit high strung (which is odd for a lab). Our Choc Lab/Husky mix is so mellow he's practically comatose, so not such a great choice although he's really a fantastic dog, and is ready to challenge any strange dogs on our property.

As for puppy hyperness.. Charlie was a bitey, bratty pup when he was little. He didn't really calm down until he was 4. Btw, he had gone to obedience classes, and is well behaved. He just had a ton of energy. He's 8 now, so that is long behind us, although my mom is one of his favorites, and he forgets his age when she visits!

-Meghan

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
I don't think that's asking too much. We don't have a large dog, a 20 lb spaniel, he doesn't mess with the chickens at all. When they were chicks he jumped into the brooder a few times, he learned quickly not to do that. When they made their first trips outside he was right there with us and we taught him not to mess with the birds. Before we put up a pen they used to run our entire back yard and he had free access back there. He now pays them no mind at all and they don't even look twice at him. He follows me into their pen when I feed them, just so he can try to eat some of their feed. They don't concern him in the least and the chickens are so used to him they just keep grazing as he walks past.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

The best teacher that chickens are a NO-NO is a hen with chicks! But make sure you are there to intervene if needed.

My GD's dog, a Blue-heeler/Border Collie mix got flogged by a rooster when she was little, and doesn't bother the chickens at all now. She has raised a litter of pups (father was a Rott) in a 16' X 16' pen with young Cochin bantams, and never bothered them.
The pups all went to chicken people, who tell us every time we see them how smart & chicken friendly they are.

I know this is not the best way to raise pups, but I was short on space & knew this dog would not hurt the chickens. The pups did want to play with the chickens, but Mom got after them if they played too rough.

I used to have a male Rott, and after 1 swat with a whip, he never bothered the chickens again. He was grown when he & I moved in with DH & had never been around chickens. He was very well trained in all other areas though.

I now have Great Pyrenees, and they are great around the chickens. These gentle giants have captured my heart & are now a favorite breed of mine.

Jean

 

[aliena614]

we have mr. memphis! a 110lb pitbull! he loves our girls and even wrangles them into the coop at sunset! and they say pit bulls are vicious

I wouldnt trade him for the world!!

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Just noticed I recommended the "AKA" website.

Try www.akc.org.