Chicken with her dogs

[they'reHISchickens]

Yesterday one of the 6 week olds got out of the teenage coop. Cleo, the 100 lb Black Russian Terrier who guards her flock, caught it in her mouth and carried it down to Daddy who was working at the other end of the yard. Dad says "drop it" so she did. And then looked at him as HE had to scramble all over to re-catch it! After all, she BROUGHT IT TO HIM!
And today the tiny babies were scattering in the rain and one went under the shed. Cleo was concerned and tried to sniff it out. Mama Splash Orp casually walked up behind Cleo and gave her one peck on her fanny. " Leave it alone and it will come home." At least that's what she must have said, because Cleo left it, and the chick found the henhouse!
Now how do I explain to Cleo that the teenagers are leaving for a farm home? I think she will have to go with us to approve the new lodgings.

 

[ekemily]

this reminds me of the book White Fang. I have a yellow lab that ran at them the first day, but as soon as I said, "NO" she has left them alone ever since. They free range all around her. If your dog is "your dog" they will listen to you. Despite what people think, dogs choose their owners. For instance, my pug I had before I got married only listens to me. She pays absolutely no attention to my husband. We even had her hearing checked!! haha
As for eating the poop..... that's another story. Both dogs love it.... ewwww

 

[Zahboo]

Nope can't trust my dog at all around the girls

she might squish one

All our dogs are good with the birds. Only had the terrier chase her once and ouch, did Willow show her. Willow puts the other dogs in their place and won't let them anywhere near the brooder. The coop is her dog house and she loves them.

 

[noodleroo]

Yep. I understand the 'squish' thing. Love the pic; beautiful dog.

 

[kota1369]

Here is a picture of my German Shepherds litter mate. He too is a good chicken friend as you can see.
He is caring for his very sick friend who finally passed on. Where you saw her, you saw him. She will be missed.
And special thanks to his Human Parents for continueing his chicken education after he left my house.

the lady with 4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 4 meat rabbits and their kits and a lizard

 

[kota1369]

Being guarded this last winter by one of their trusty guard spaniels....

He takes his job seriously. And is a good alarm if there are birds, humans, dogs or cats
around. I am glad to have my canine friends as helpers.

the lady with 4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 4 meat rabbits and thier kits and a lizard

 

[kota1369]

You can see more about me and my little homestead in the city @ http://www.sufficientself.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1834end

I am learning everyday how to do something better then I was.......... and I have to say, I love it.
I can not wait for my first meal totally out of my yard. That will be a great day.

The lady with 4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 4 meat rabbits and their kits and a lizard

 

[nzpouter]

great set up there kota... you can use tyres instead of buckets as well, last longer and more stable, we use them for potatoes and strawberries before....

 

[franklinchickens]

We have a chocolate lab (90 lbs) and 3 cats - none of which bother the chickens. With the dog - we introduced her to them when we first brought the chickens home when they were a few days old. We let her smell while we held them and continued to have her around while we held and played with the chickens. Now that the chicks are 9 weeks - they are all out in the yard together. They'll jump on her back and she steals their watermelon rinds. The only thing we have to watch out for is when she is fetching - to not have any chickens in the path of the ball!
I think the key is to make sure the dog knows that the chickens are part of the family and not toys or playthings or food. Ours figured it our pretty quickly but we were very quick to correct her if we even got a hint she was too interested in them.

 

[LyonFuzz]

What wonderfully well adjusted dogs! Nothing better than animals that are made part of a "pack". I too have two dobermans that are fully trusted around my birds and what an asset they are. Nice pics.