Chickens and dogs

[DianeS]

How much does the sight and sound of dogs bother chickens? I'm planning on getting a small flock, no roosters. I know my dogs are going to bark and want to get at the chickens, and it will take a while to stop that behavior. The chickens will be in a fenced run and in no danger from the dogs, but I don't expect the chickens to know that!

In the meantime, how much will seeing and hearing the dogs bother the chickens? Will it put them off laying? Will it make them develop unhealthy habits? Could they get ill from stress?

If the chickens will be seriously bothered by the dogs, how do I lessen the stress? Not let the chickens out of the coop until the dogs are in for the day, maybe? Any pointers would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[NonnasBabies]

I can't honestly say that being around my dogs ever bothered my chickens. When we first got the chickens they would run up to the and bark at them and the chickens would kinda jump back from the fence. Actually they still do that. But I have small dogs (2 yorkies and a mini dach) and I let them all out together now. My 2 yorkies will actually chase them around and then run like crazy when the chickens start running after them. I've never noticed a change in their egg production!!

Missi

 

[schmije]

They might be a little frightened at first, but as long as the dogs don't have access to the chickens, they'll learn pretty quickly that they're not a threat. If you're getting adults, they may stop laying for a week or two when you first get them. It's stressful for them to move to a new home, but they'll get used to it. I'd give it a shot and see how they do. My chickens have gotten used to DH working in the yard with his tractor, saws, hammers, drills, etc. They hang around him no matter what kind of noise he's making.

 

[95yj]

depends on the chickens. if their small and flighty bantams they'll probably be, well, small and flighty. We have two dogs, one a golden from hunting lines, the other a rescue mutt with what we think is alot of field spaniel. We have pics of the golden sleeping with parakeets, the mutt on the other hand catches flying sparrows out of the air and will swim, yes swim, for miles chasing ducks. At first she was really interested in the chickens and chased them around alot, i would yell at her and she would back down. the chickens got used to it too, after a couple days they stopped caring. I raised some cornish X's for meat last year and i don't think they ever noticed. It won't take as long as you think for the dog to get learn not to chase the birds around.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Yes...they will adapt quickly to most regular goings-ons. Our tractor, and gators are no longer terrifying sounds. My dogs run through the yard with abandon when we leave the house and head out on the property. And if the chickens are out, they may hunker down a little as 90 lbs of fur runs right by them, but they don't go screaming and cackling...lol.
You can help by walking the dogs on a leash around the fence area, and by sitting outside the fence with your dogs, while tossing a few treats inside the fence (and commanding the dogs "gentle"). Even though your chickens will be fenced, I'd still work at least a little on socializing the chickens/dogs. The dogs need to learn that the chickens are YOU'RE property...just in case. There's always a chance an accidental meeting could occur, and at least if there's familiarity, the chance of it ending poorly/sadly may decrease.

 

[hensonly]

Ninety pounds?? Heck, my dogs' combined weight is closer to 500 pounds, and my birds ignore them completely. Now. Not at first!

The Newfoundlands never paid the birds any mind, just glance at them on the way by the coop sometimes. My Aussies are a different story. ONe likes to lunge and bark just to watch them squawk and panic, the other wants to run circles around the coop trying to herd them. I don't allow either behavior. At first, the dogs were walked past the coop at a distance so their lunging and barking was not such a threat. The dogs were taught that barking at the chickens was not allowed and when they could control themselves at a distance we moved gradually closer. Now I can walk the Aussies past the coop with no bad behavior, though the dogs still want badly to bark and run at them. They do control themselves, though I never let them off the leashes until we're well past the coop. They still very occasionally forget themselves and try to lunge at the chickens, so I don't allow the opportunity. Leashes and a stern "ah-ah, leave it!" if they look at the birds.

The birds know the difference, too - they go on about their affairs when the 100 - plus pound Newfs walk by, and when the 50 -65 lb aussies approach the hens retreat into the chicken house, and the roos come up to the front, all ready to protect their flock. Take the time, as you said, to teach the dogs that the chickens are off limits, and if you don't allow the dogs to get too close, the birds won't feel too threatened. They'll all get used to each other.

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

we have 3 dogs and they dont bother the chickens (well the chickens are in a run which is also fenced in to seperate the dogs from them (oddly enough we didnt put the 2nd fence up for our own dogs but for my sisters dogs that we watch while they vacation, they are yorkies and boxers (we also have a boxer)

 

[MakNat]

I have 3 dogs that run free in the yard. The chickens free range in the yard as well. The only problem I've ever seen, was if one of the chickens gets 'too close' to my big dog Dagger, Dagger will growl and run them off. I feel VERY fortunate! Good Doggies!!!!!

 

[lemurchaser]

I started my chicks in the house, and I realized that when I put them outside that they were more afraid of the adult chickens than they were my dogs or cats. I would start with chicks, and they'll grow up used to the dogs. It could be pretty stressful for adult chickens. When I have friends dogs come over and bark at the chickens in their run, the chickens aren't too worried, but they do keep well away from the fence. They do seem to know they are safe.