Dog got chicken! 😢😡

[SuzetteWV]

@sourland made a good suggestion to watch closely. It also depends on the dog, how long have you had chickens (and dog), and @Hei 20 posed some good questions as well..since we don't know the exact details.
For some breeds, even the most well-behaved dog has instincts and most times accidents happen when you're not around to immediately correct them.
I am not a professional dog trainer but since we got chickens (4 months ago) we have been working with our dogs as much as possible on simple commands like, "leave it" or "ignore" or, mostly the Cesar Millan "ttssss!" when our dogs got ahold of our pullet, it was a mere response to the sudden movements when she squeezed through the gate (initially thought she flew over the gate) and tried to flutter back. I was heartbroken but it wasn't the dog's fault. I should have enclosed the chickens better but I didn't plan as well as I should have.
Another user mentioned positive training, instead of just commands alone, to help encourage the desired behavior; so, when I'm outside and the dogs are ignoring the chickens, I give them a treat! Even if my dogs were completely trained, I don't think I would ever 100% trust them to be full-proof alone and unattended with the chickens, especially knowing the breed.
It takes time and consistency is key!

Thank you! My dog is a mutt but almost 1/2 Great Pyrenees. He’s been really great with them so it surprises me. Still, I believe he was not intending to kill her. I never saw the chicken in his mouth. He was standing over her. I just can’t leave them out together alone anymore. Kinda breaks my heart. I wanted him to protect them.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

How old is your dog? If u are willing and have time to watch his behavior toward the chickens and work with him, u may be able to ensure he doesnt "play" with them again. Either way, i hear u re being a hawk deterrent. Red-tail hawks have ocassionally killed my chickens, but NEVER when my dogs were visible, even if the dogs were sprawled out sleeping in the middle of the pasture. From my experience, i think u r correct to assume your dog did the deed. Even if u never again trust your dog, if u can think of a way to keep him visible as a hawk deterrent while the chickens are out, ANd keep him secured so he cant get at your chickens, i think it would be worth your while. I 100% credit the visible presence of my dogs to keeping hawk attacks at a minimum.

 

[SuzetteWV]

How old is your dog? If u are willing and have time to watch his behavior toward the chickens and work with him, u may be able to ensure he doesnt "play" with them again. Either way, i hear u re being a hawk deterrent. Red-tail hawks have ocassionally killed my chickens, but NEVER when my dogs were visible, even if the dogs were sprawled out sleeping in the middle of the pasture. From my experience, i think u r correct to assume your dog did the deed. Even if u never again trust your dog, if u can think of a way to keep him visible as a hawk deterrent while the chickens are out, ANd keep him secured so he cant get at your chickens, i think it would be worth your while. I 100% credit the visible presence of my dogs to keeping hawk attacks at a minimum.

Thanks! He is 3 years old. He knows better. I’ll keep working with him. My old yellow lab has no interest in the birds but doesn’t like to be outside alone. Hawks have attacked but not not successful. I don’t know how people have strictly free range chickens... there must be a high rate of attrition.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Yes i think a lot of free-ranging flocks do have a high attrition rate. I live in a very wooded rural area with a spring-fed, always flowing creek at back of property. No way could i allow the chickens to free-range without dogs to protect them. I feel your disappointment & sincerely hope u get the issue worked out.