coonhounds!

[Vcomb]

has anyone had experience with coonhounds as chicken-guards? especially black and tans? my birds are kept in a fenced in area in the woods and we get coons all the time. there's a guy not far from here with two black and tan females for giveaway and I'm thinking of possibly getting them but want to hear some feedback first.

Thanks!

 

[thebritt]

I would think that since the chickens are fenced in, they should be fine. Seems like coon hounds would eliminate the coon problem!

 

[Vcomb]

well, let me rephrase - the gamehens mostly run loose inside a fenced yard, the roosters are tied out. the young roosters are kept in individual pens, and the Polish and bantams are all kept in larger fully-fenced in coops. Main thing I worry bout is whether they'd leaved the easy-access ones alone and if they'd go to jumping on pens, making the birds fly to the other side and break necks (neightbor's dogs did this to me once).

 

[Im4dabirds]

My SIL has coonhounds and my daughter has chickens. Their dogs are pretty laid back except when he takes them hunting. They pretty much ignore the chickens and lay around in the shade, but I don't know if that's typical or just his in particular.

 

[Holly O]

Ok ...lol
I own a Treeing Walker Coon hound.
HUGE BABY! and lazy.
He lets the chickens climb all over him.
And if their was a coon .. he would just bark then lay down.

So I suggest...
Find out if they are trained to hunt.
Coon hounds, are known to track down and then bark until you arrive to dispatch what ever they where chasing.

You'll need to take it slow, but they will be fine with the chickens. IF you teach them to be. Don't trust the dog alone until your sure.

 

[Cara]

I had a coonhound who was not remotely interested in birds. That being said, I would never ever trust any dog to be loose and alone with chickens, it's asking for trouble. It's not fair on the dog either putting temptation in its way. I'd also look very carefully at the security of your fence, a loose hound is a dead hound.

 

[Uppity Peon]

There are some traits that are in a dog's blood. But it's more about how thay are trained. You can't trust any dog around your chickens right off the bat. They will have to earn your trust over a long time of careful observation and training.

 

[Ugly Cowboy]

I used to have a whole bunch of coonhounds, hunted 'em like crazy, and only one ever attacked a bird. So, usually, they'll be fine. Watch 'em and make sure, and a shock collar's a good help... either that or set somewhere they dont know where ya are and zap 'em in the butt with a bb gun when they start doin somethin ya dont like LOL.

By the way, I had redbones, blueticks, and black n tans. Coonhounds are great dogs, I love my hounds, BUT there dumb as a sack of hammers usually LOL.

 

[Vcomb]

Thanks for the replies so far guys & gals! The guy who has them has hunted them, they are both three year olds and I know training an older dog can be tricky. He said the only reason he's parting with them is they don't get along with his redbone who is the pack boss. He keeps his dogs kenneled except for during hunting. I'm thinking I just might have to give him a ring and go see them for myself.

 

[shellikirbey]

I had a part Chihuahua and part dachshund that I had to get rid of 2 months ago cause it killed some of my youngerchickens .i would never own another one.didn't even eat them, just slaughtered them but I got me a part black n tan coonhound and part red blood hound at a puppy and he doesn't pay no attention to them .just smells around them.. I really think it depends on if they grow up with them to and sometimes not..my cousin got a blood hound at a adult age and he stays in the same pen and doesn't pay no attention to them..theyr very layed back.and no one better not shoot mine.I would trust a coon hound or blood hound before u would a smaller dog for sure.I would watch them at first as they get introduced cause ther older but I bet theyl b fine ..theyr easy to train to..