Do Dogs and Chickens EVER mix??

[KandJsmama]

We let our Aussie be around the chicks as soon as we got them and she became protective of them and even herded them when we brought them outside. One of them used the climb on her back and peck her and she wouldn't do anything. I think it ultimately depends on the temperament of the dog and their desire to obey you. We have not had any problems with mixing her with the chickens.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Mine do great with the chickens. They are both adult dobermans from a rescue organization and I think their naturally protective nature is in full force They even lay down with the chickens walking and scratching all around them. I think it's all relative to the dog really. Good luck!

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Every dog and every situation is different. My 4 big pups never try and get into the coop or run, but if a chicken were to get out...its on for the chase.

Just keep everyone safe and don't assume the dogs will play nice. Instincts are powerful!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[horsejody]

Please remember while reading these posts about all of the exceptional dogs, that these are exceptions (or ones with a lot of training). The majority of dogs don't mix well with chickens. I have a Lhasa Apso that is very good with the chickens. He is small, but he is a guarding breed with a low prey drive so it didn't take a lot of training. My daughter's dog is a Scottish Terrier and I can guarantee that absolutely no amount of training would make him even remotely trustworthy around chickens.

 

[Godsgrl]

I am very lucky in that my dog is really good with the chickens. He loves to sit in the runs, and just hang out with the chickens. Especially the cochins and ducks for some reason. If we are trying to capture a chicken, he will frequently help, and gently ease the chicken towards us so we can catch it. We once had a chick named Peepers, and Reno (my dog) just loved him. If I couldn't find Peepers, I just had to look for Reno. He kept close watch on that chick all the time. He was really upset when Peepers died suddenly. I think I am extremely lucky to have such a trustworthy dog.

 

[Dagmarvelous]

Thank you ALL for the advice!! Everyone is so helpful here, I love it.

At least now I know to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

My dogs listen very well (they'll come even when a new dog is walking near) and they socialize calmly with other species, so far. But it's good to hear all the experience and knowledge so I don't give all my trust to the dogs even if they show no interest, especially while the chicks are small.

This is crazy! I don't even have eggs yet and I'm already addicted to BYC. Who knew???

You guys ROCK!

 

[kooltex]

My lab x just ignores the chicken's. When he would eat out of his bowl, the chicken's would run over and take over. He would come over to me and look up at me then back to his bowl. I'd have to go chase the chicken's away. Now my mom's jack russell on the other hand, totally different, he will eat them.

 

[ChickenToes]

Yes, they can mix. My Bloodhound goes into the duck run and coop with my husband quite often. She's been raised around them from the day we brought her home, and she's so busy sniffing everything that she could care less about the ducks.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

Well here is one of my dogs trying to eat a beef bone and being bothered by the chickens... a daily occurance and she never even looks at them. The secret is to have dogs that listen to you in the first place (you do) and impress upon them from the first SECOND that the chickens are YOURS period they belong to YOU and the dogs may not even think about touching them. The benefit is that I leave the chickens out to free range with the dogs in a yard, and I can go run errands.

 

[harvey]

From YouTube.............dog with chickens.