different kind of dog and chicken situation

[txnative]

I'm new to chickens and am waiting for my first 5 chicks to arrive in a few weeks. When they are old and big enough I plan to move them out into my yard to live in a mobile chicken tractor.

I am also the president of a Labrador rescue group, and have 5 dog runs set up in the yard for the newest dogs to stay in until they move to foster homes. I know the dogs will bark when they see the chickens - they bark at the deer, armadillos, when I'm out front near them, etc. They do not bark constantly.

I don't want the barking to stress out the chickens, but I'm thinking if I expose the babies to barking early that they will be used to it by the time they move out and become "neighbors."

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Margaret

 

[bobbi-j]

The chickens will get used to it. The barking may scare them at first (after all, chickens are a prey animal - EVERYTHING wants to eat your chickens!), but once they realize that it's just noise and that the dogs can't get at them, they'll be fine.

 

[txnative]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking. And I know the dogs will get used to the chickens, too. Then I can add "good with chickens" to their biographies!

 

[nab58]

My dogs 3 Boston Terriers and 1 toy poodle) have been barking and trying to break into the chicken run since I put my six pullets out there about3 weeks ago. it's funny,the pullets don't seem to be bothered by it at all...as a matter of fact, I think they may be taunting the dogs! They go right up to the fence and stare me down. It's amusing to watch!

 

[centrarchid]

I pride myself on being able to get dogs to work around poultry without causing trouble. Efforts always require time and during early stages risk to birds. Such arrangement are designed for long-term meaning life of dog which can exceed 10 years. You are going to be running dogs and birds together intentionally during the most risky period racking up serious risk for birds over time. Notice I do not acknowledge dogs will be in runs. Mistakes are going to be made by a human and dogs are going to put hurt on birds. You are a party that needs to take extra care to have birds in their own very tight containment for those events where the dog containment fails.

 

[4 the Birds]

We have run a dog rescue for 4 years now and many hundreds of dogs have been at our place at one time or another. Each dog is different but each learns my trust but they must know that I am the Alpha! Our flock does just fine next to our dog pens. New dogs are always curious of the birds and may bark shortly. The birds come right up to the fence near the dogs and are use to them but know they are a danger. Keep the birds and dogs separated via a fence and have control of your dogs and all will be fine. I go in and out of the bird free range area with a pack of dogs near me but they would not dare try to push in through the gate. As long as you are the boss then the peace will remain.