Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[galanie]

I have a problem. And I can't believe this but it's with my own son and daughter-in-law. Regarding dogs. They are both convinced that their boxer puppy will do no harm. That it's funny and cute for it to chase chickens. Though they know darn well not to EVER bring a dog over and let it loose here. They did bring the newest pup over though, which didn't make me any too happy. But it never left the leash.

My correcting said puppy for fixating on the chickens made them a bit upset. Not enough that they'd say anything, but you could see it. I've told them time and time again that a dog, any dog, that chases chickens is wanting to kill those birds and that it's not cute or funny. But in spite of whatever I say, since I am not a dog owner and don't really want to have a "baby doggie" they will not listen.

They just think I don't like them and won't entertain the possibility that baby doggie "just being a dog" and "having fun" is anything but harmless. What on earth can I tell them that will get through? Anything? Or do I just have to wait until they get their own and come home to a yard full of dead chickens when they finally do get them?

 

[TexasLisa]

I have a problem. And I can't believe this but it's with my own son and daughter-in-law. Regarding dogs. They are both convinced that their boxer puppy will do no harm. That it's funny and cute for it to chase chickens. Though they know darn well not to EVER bring a dog over and let it loose here. They did bring the newest pup over though, which didn't make me any too happy. But it never left the leash.
My correcting said puppy for fixating on the chickens made them a bit upset. Not enough that they'd say anything, but you could see it. I've told them time and time again that a dog, any dog, that chases chickens is wanting to kill those birds and that it's not cute or funny. But in spite of whatever I say, since I am not a dog owner and don't really want to have a "baby doggie" they will not listen.
They just think I don't like them and won't entertain the possibility that baby doggie "just being a dog" and "having fun" is anything but harmless. What on earth can I tell them that will get through? Anything? Or do I just have to wait until they get their own and come home to a yard full of dead chickens when they finally do get them?

Hi Galanie!

I am sorry you are having to go through this with your son and his wife. Unfortunately they are being blindsided by their love for the dog. I can see both sides. I am a dog lover and a chicken owner. Last year I saw the devastation by two small stray dogs to my flock. They were just 'playing' and killed five of my girls. I was horrified. I would put my foot down and tell them if they have to bring the dog, it stays on the leash at ALL times, otherwise don't bring the dog out. Hopefully you will be able to settle this without any hard feelings.

Lisa

 

[galanie]

Hi Galanie!

I am sorry you are having to go through this with your son and his wife.  Unfortunately they are being blindsided by their love for the dog.  I can see both sides.  I am a dog lover and a chicken owner.  Last year I saw the devastation by two small stray dogs to my flock.  They were just 'playing' and killed five of my girls.  I was horrified.  I would put my foot down and tell them if they have to bring the dog, it stays on the leash at ALL times, otherwise don't bring the dog out.  Hopefully you will be able to settle this without any hard feelings.  

Lisa

Thanks Lisa! It did stay on the leash. I just can NOT get them to understand that the reason I won't let little sweetheart chase my chickens hasn't a darned thing to do with my feeling toward dogs - it's a real threat.

 

[bobbi-j]

Galanie - I hope you can work it out. My son and daughter-in-law have a golden retriever that they bring every time they come to visit. He's never chased my chickens, but that's because I've never given him the chance. I have two roomy coops with attached 12x16 runs, so when we have visiting dogs, the chickens stay locked up. It's just easier that way for everyone involved. These dogs don't come that often, and they are not trained to leave chickens alone (nor do they live in a situation where they would be), so that's my solution.

 

[galanie]

Really I'm not asking for a solution for when they bring the dog. They already know I don't want anyone bringing a dog and when they do come it's just for an hour or more since they live in easy driving distance. But I see where your solution would work for you

 

[delisha]

Please do as everyone has suggested. They never had pressure cookers a long time ago. I have never used them. Cooked meat is cooked meat. A sealed jar is a sealed jar. Botulism can happen in a pressure cooker too.

 

[bobbi-j]

Really I'm not asking for a solution for when they bring the dog. They already know I don't want anyone bringing a dog and when they do come it's just for an hour or more since they live in easy driving distance. But I see where your solution would work for you

I don't know how you could convince them that their little darling won't be a threat to your chickens. I think you may have hit the nail on the head with the "wait until they get their own and come home to a yard full of dead chickens" solution. The most memorable lessons are the hardest learned, in my opinion.

My son and DIL live 4 hours away, so when they're here it's for a couple of days. That's why I do what I do. It's easier on me, them, and the dog. And on my dog. He's never ever been a problem with the chickens, but I think dogs are like kids - they know the rules until there's company, then they forget everything they've ever been taught. It's too easy for them to get carried away and fall into that pack mentality. So I have peace of mind, and the dogs aren't being yelled at all weekend or getting into trouble because they've given into the temptation of chasing the fun, feathery toys.

 

[galanie]

I guess for me, a dog is an animal that needs to fill a purpose, not a creature to hold near and dear and treat as though it were family. No creature is for that. Not even a dog. I never had them before because I had no use for one. No use, no dog. For a house pet, they are too dirty and time consuming. Cats and birds make a lot less mess, a lot less attention, and are much easier to tolerate if you have the right breed of bird. I simply don't want an animal "soulmate." Never have, never will. Especially one that licks it's own butt then wants to lick you in the face, all the while stinking to high heaven and wanting the food from your plate. Nope. Not for me.

The attention that a "family member" type needs is one that will suck up the attention I'd rather give other things. So they think I know nothing and simply don't like dogs and are therefore being just really hard on them as a whole. /rant off.

 

[NikkiMiChickie]

Someone's sig says "a dog on someone else's property is a pet. A dog on my property is a predator." Not sure whose it is, but I now live by this and I WILL SSS if it comes down to it. I'm a dog lover, but my chickens are pretty much defenseless and I will not tolerate a massacre. I might run Al's situation past them, and the fact that I lost two chickens to my young pup while he "played" with them is evidence as well. We all have stories. No untrained dogs around my chickens - my own dog was even banished from them for a few months.

Funny story on why I say chickens are pretty much defenseless but not totally defenseless: a friend just adopted a full grown dobie and took him home to the family farm for a visit. That dog took off after the chickens and no sooner had 5 roosters on him. Chickens all alive and well, dobie to the vet for stitches! He now avoids the chickens at all cost. Maybe I can get their number and offer them up for dog training!

Arienwolf- Tork is BEAUTIFUL!

Canning: I mentioned at work this summer that I was interested in learning to can my excess tomatoes and within a week had TWO free pressure cookers, a hot water bath, and boxes of jars delivered from 3 different people. I didn't need to buy a thing. They even have me their canning books. Ask around! You may be able to find one cheap or even free. I agree x10 about the risk of botulism being increased by the hot water bath. Yes, pressure canners can produce botulism too especially if jars are not properly sanitized to begin with or not properly sealed. Read up on it

 

[bobbi-j]

I guess for me, a dog is an animal that needs to fill a purpose, not a creature to hold near and dear and treat as though it were family. No creature is for that. Not even a dog. I never had them before because I had no use for one. No use, no dog. For a house pet, they are too dirty and time consuming. Cats and birds make a lot less mess, a lot less attention, and are much easier to tolerate if you have the right breed of bird. I simply don't want an animal "soulmate." Never have, never will. Especially one that licks it's own butt then wants to lick you in the face, all the while stinking to high heaven and wanting the food from your plate. Nope. Not for me.
The attention that a "family member" type needs is one that will suck up the attention I'd rather give other things. So they think I know nothing and simply don't like dogs and are therefore being just really hard on them as a whole. /rant off.

I like having dogs, have had them all my life. BUT - they are dogs. Not my babies. DIL calls her dog and cats her babies. That's fine. But I refuse to have a "grand-dog"! My issue with this dog isn't the chickens. It's that she actually calls him up onto my couch to cuddle with her, when my own dog isn't even allowed on the couch. But, I'm trying very hard not to be "that" mother-in-law, so I have allowed it. My problem, I know. Just haven't figured out how to deal with it without offending. (Don't want to do that because I would like to be able to still see my son on occasion) OK, my rant is over, too.