Chihuahua's and Chicks...Will It Work?

[Kittymomma]

I'd put them in another room if possible. First because it would be less stressfull and second because they can be loud and kick up an amazing amount of dust/dander as they grow--not ideal in the bedroom. If you have to keep them in there be sure to use a dog proof brooder with a secure top on it.

 

[henryetta]

All that being said

I will add that one of my tzu's was crazy interested and desperatly wanted to be with the chickens to inspect, investagate, annoy, and probably chase our chickens if i wasnt around. It took about 3 days of me sitting with all of them (dog on leash) and letting her get her fill and that was IT!! done. She steers clear of them now, and the chi (being the scavanger that she is) snacks amongst them when i throw treats and it's her im watching to protect. Now, 'our' chi is a totally playful, toy chassing girll, but she lost interest a lot sooner than My shih tzus, so hopfully all will go smoother than your concerned about. Im one that saturates them with the fact that they have new "family" and it works for me. Others would keep them completly apart. Depends on what your up for i guess

 

[Epona142]

My chihuahua and chihuahua/doxie are completely trustworthy with my chickens.

HOWEVER, they were both raised from tiny pups to respect and NOT TOUCH smaller animals in our household. It's been ingrained in them from day ONE that they may look at small animals, even sniff them, but they CANNOT TOUCH.

I keep a large number of animals, ranging from chickens to goats to lizards and snakes, so this was important for them to learn.

They will follow a chick around if it gets loose. The doxie mix will look at the adult chickens and maybe even give them a sniff.

The chihuahua is TERRIFIED of adult chickens.

Can't say I blame her, they're MUCH bigger than her.

(For the record, they are never left alone with smaller animals regardless of their training. There have been times, however, that I came home to a loose chick that has been followed around by them out of curiosity. I use this to my advantage, because they will "show" me where the chick is.)

So, to get to your questions, it can be done, but in your case, I think its better to err on the side of caution and just ensure they never have contact. Depending on your pups sizes, the adult chickens might be more worrisome, as they're more than capable of giving a small dog a pecking or thrashing it won't soon forget!

Good luck!

 

[newchicksnducks]

Dogs, of any size, sometimes cannot help that pounce when a little thing rungs quickly and peeps/squeaks. Nine times out of ten they may be fine, but it's that tenth time...

I have a 4 yr old golden retriever as well as a couple of cats, one who is a great hunter, bringing her "prizes" to us whether it be a small mouse or a good size bunny. I would not leave either of them alone with the chicks when they were small. I kept the brooder in another room, and even if the were able to get into the room by accident, I had a screened lid on the brooder that they would not be able to lift. I was never out of hearing,so they would not have been able to rip through the lid w/o my knowing.

Once the chicks were older, they were allowed to free range in the yard. If the dog or cat were outside, I was out with them. They were tought "No", "Leave it" and other commands. Soon they would lay next to the chickens without any problem. The chickens are now almost full grown (have one laying - yeah!) and they actually intimidate both the dog and cat! I was laughing today when our hunter was sitting outside by my feet when a Dominique came nose to beak with her. I was wishing for a camera when the Dom went and pecked the cat's nose - the cat was gone! (where's the video when you want it!) lol

IMHO - never leave small chicks with dogs/cats. Full size or near full size chickens might be able to be in the same space as a dog/cat if you monitor them and have trained them well to obey your commands.

 

[PortageGirl]

My neighbors have chihuahas and about the same age as you describe, though their older male may be only around 8. I have to echo what others have said while they're chicks... It's really unfair to expect them all to get along, those chicks will look way too much like little snacks for them.

The dust chicks produce is hard to explain if you've never experienced it, and I sure wouldn't want them in MY bedroom, and I'm far from a neat-freak.

That being said, spend lots of leash time with the dogs near the chicks, the chicks won't care too much, they get used to almost anything pretty quick, but please don't trust them without a harness and leash on. Get the dogs used to them so they ignore them as much as possible. If your older dog is that eager to chase birds and things, I'm not holding out a lot of hope he'll settle down for the chicks.

Keep us posted though, we'd like to hear how they do.

 

[Kittymomma]

The dust chicks produce is hard to explain if you've never experienced it, and I sure wouldn't want them in MY bedroom, and I'm far from a neat-freak.

Oh my gosh, you said it sooo much better then I did! My brooder was in the garage. My DH turned the bonus room above the garage into his "man room" but hasn't put a door in yet. I was amazed and he was, well something other then amazed, at the amount of chick dust that accumulated up there. The brooder was by the big door and the stairs are on the other end of the garage. Everything in the garage and upstairs in his room was completely covered. I'm trying pellets next time in the hopes that it won't be so bad, but I still wouldn't want it in the bedroom.​

 

[TreeHugger]

I have a lab/heeler mutt. He would never pass up the opportunity to have a chicken dinner if given the chance. However, he does not stand down by my chicken run & bark at my chickens at all. He does get a little excited when they walk close to the fence but that is as far as it goes

My dog can never be trusted with my chickens, but he could be trained not to bark at them through the fence. Good Luck!

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

My chihuahua crawled up onto the kitchen table some how. With no chairs near by. And got into my cage of almost laying age Button Quail. And ate my most important ones.. I found them de-feathered on my bed.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Not likely.

 

[henryetta]

Man,,,,i must have some mean ole hens. Mabie cause they have to fend for themselves being 'city' chickens with no Roo? I mean, they're lovely with us, and dogs and cats too, so long as one of the dogs doesnt pop out from behind something and startle one. Then, dog doesnt stand a chance. If one is startled, they all 8 go into attack mode. I agree, the babies have to be protected but in our house i am 'on the watch' to make sure my hens dont hurt the dogs... (yep, soft little shih tzus, and chi, but still)