Dog has Intel on what's in the incubator??

[Rarabri89]

Hi there, I'm relatively new to the chicken keeping world. I'm currently incubating my very own batch of backyard chooks. I have done it before. But not for quite a few years.

To get to the point, what's different this time is I have a dog. The incubator is in a dog proof place. It's day six, and up until now, pooch hasn't shown the slight bit of interest in the newly closed off room. However, this morning, having candled my eggs last night to find 8 out the 10 eggs set are goers, my dog has been acting very odd. He has not left the door all day, it seems as though he detects a presence in the room. He's very calm, no signs of aggression or fear(is usually a big old sissy at the slightest bang). Sort of just hanging out there.

When I enter the room to check the vitals, he insists on coming in and sits directly under where the incubator is. Then he refuses to leave the room!

Has anyone had experience of this before? Should I be worried?

Any help greatly appreciated. Ra

 

[Harmony Fowl]

No firm ideas, but maybe he’s picked up on the eggs’ importance to you and he’s guarding them for you. Or maybe he can smell living things developing and is guarding vulnerable babies. He wouldn’t be the first dog to appoint himself guardian of the young.

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

, but maybe he’s picked up on the eggs’ importance to you and he’s guarding them for you.

Haven't experienced this (haven't incubated), but My first thought was your dog is picking up on what's important/worrying/stressfulto you.

 

[Rarabri89]

Thank you both, I had wondered whether he could smell or hear something but don't know if I'm over-estimating his senses. Its funny you should both mention him picking up on my emotions. I hadn't really been nervous or anything because I wasn't even sure if any were viable and went straight to sleep after candelling. It only dawned on me this morning when I got up that there are 8 babies growing in there!!

Well he's still sat outside there now bless him. Think I'm going to have to get him a leather jacket, some shades and a 'head of incubation security' badge for the next couple of weeks!

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

My dog ( Neapolitan mastiff) is involved in the incubation process from beginning to end. She KNOWS, though Im not sure how? She would guard the eggs and chicks with her life.

 

[Rarabri89]

My dog ( Neapolitan mastiff) is involved in the incubation process from beginning to end. She KNOWS, though Im not sure how? She would guard the eggs and chicks with her life.

Ahhh very interesting ty. So does her behaviour change as soon as she realises an incubation is in progress? He seems to have calmed now but at first it was kind of like when a dog senses someone is coming round and they go on some sort of low key high alert. Mixed with lots of pausing at the door, being dead still like he was listening.

He's a very big, soft 3yr old Dalamatian x Staff bull terrier. Very loving and affectionate, but a bit of a scaredy cat. When do you let her interact with the chicks and how?

 

[HuskerHens18]

My dog barked at the incubator when the eggs started peeping it shocked him. I don't leave him alone with them because his favorite snacks are eggs from the hen house.

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

She is "guardy" from the time the eggs are in the incubator, always has her nose in the incubator and brooder when I am turning eggs or taking care of chicks. As far as interacting, she has a sense about her not to hurt them,I cant explain it. And when they go she cries and cries...

 

[Knighstar679]

My dogs all smelled the eggs when they got to my place. One of them herds ducks regularly so there had been a worry on if he would leave the incubator alone. He is completely fine with it. I think my house is going to get more interesting around hatching time when the little babies start to peep, but I will be moving them to another room before then.

 

[Rarabri89]

She is "guardy" from the time the eggs are in the incubator, always has her nose in the incubator and brooder when I am turning eggs or taking care of chicks. As far as interacting, she has a sense about her not to hurt them,I cant explain it. And when they go she cries and cries...

I see, this makes me feel good about the situation so thank you. And bless your doggy, she sounds like a SUPER STAR!

Well one things for sure, seeing him being there every time I go to check them has really fascinated me and its so heart warming to think he wants to guard them. Looks like he's camping out there tonight, has his blanket out of his bed and keeps getting up to rearrange it which is getting kind of annoying! haha god love him. Will have to see how long this goes on for!