Dog killed all my guinea chicks in brooder, but was raised with chickens and does not bother them.

[melanie]

All my dogs are chicken broke. I've had chickens for about 4 years, and they all get along. I have about 20 chickens and my dogs don't bother them or chicks. Today I got guinea chicks and my youngest dog, who is a year old and was raised with the chickens, killed them all. He went berserk. I didn't see it, as it was over with when I went to check on them. The brooder was moved over a bit. Has anyone had this happen? I want to get some more, as I can secure the pen they were in until they grow, and bond with some of my chickens that I will keep penned with them.

 

[cstronks]

I've read a lot of stories about dogs tearing chickens to pieces on this forum...it is 100% safe to have dogs around chickens. Maybe because the chickens were smaller the dogs thought they were some sort of toy...but since you used the word "berserk", it sounds much more violent than just a dog using them as a toy. What type of breed is your dog/dogs?? I have three huskies and I keep them away from EVERYTHING that is not bigger than them...including children. They are gentle giants, but they kill the occasional rabbit every now and then, so I don't know.

 

[melanie]

Well, I don't know if he went berserk as I wasn't there, but they were all dead. Some were chewed up pretty good, and some looked like they got crushed by the brooder when he moved it, and so he didn't bother them since they weren't moving I guess. I am so depressed. They were precious. He's a one year old shorty jack. He's never bothered my chickens or their chicks. I guess since the quineas are so jittery he got excited and went after them. I'm wondering if I'm able to keep them safe until they are chicken size if he will ignore them like he does the chickens???

 

[centrarchid]

Behavior is normal. My dogs are broke to chickens but pup caused problems with neighbors ducks. I then had to acquire a duck and break dogs to it to protect neighbors ducks. I will be acquiring guineas, peafowl, sheep and goats where dogs will have to be broke to each species and life-stage. Dogs can tell species apart at least as well as we can and must be taught to leave certain species alone. I make no effort to break dogs with respect to raptors, foxes, coyotes and raccoons.

You must restart training process with guineas but you should find dogs will learn them faster than first go around with chickens. Guineas do complicate issue by being flighty but you can do it.

Sorry for loss and be prepared nest go at it. I will be doing soon too and will likely be cussing some.