Dog killed chicken

[gtaff]

So how do you train a dog not to kill a chicken

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

On a high prey drive dog I had to resort to a shock collar. Otherwise most can be taught the leave it command with the help of a shaker can when they are young. Most dogs need reminding until about 1-3 years depending on breed. Raising a dog takes a long while.

 

[TalkALittle]

So how do you train a dog not to kill a chicken

You teach them that every and all predatory behavior directed at chickens has a consequence so uncomfortable that they'd rather avoid it.

The thing is though, it's the dog that decides if the consequence is severe enough to avoid the behavior next time. For some dogs a scolding will work to deter future behavior. Some will need a more aversive consequence to convince them that chicken killing isn't worth it. Every dog is an individual.

My personal preference is to choose the least aversive punishment that works. I also prefer an aversive that can be delivered in a manner that can convey information to the dog about their behavior without associating any of the negative effects of the aversive with me.

My method of choice is to properly conditioned and train with a low-level remote electronic collar.

 

[sawilliams]

I live in a rural part of the city and have a flock of free range chickens. My neighbor built a coop and purchased 4 almost full grown hens. The first evening after dark his family dog somehow managed to get the door open to the coop and killed one of them. The dog who had been fed a couple hours before ate almost the whole bird. I know it is not out of the ordinary for a dog to kill a chicken but to me they usually just leave it lay there when it is dead. My neighbor wants to eventually let his flock free range for a couple hours after work. I am thinking if his dog gets a chance it will kill again. Any ideas?

My dog never managed to hurt or kill a chicken but when we first got them a year ago she was very interested. We have had 3 escapes that resulted in her chasing and harassing the hens. Very fortunate they have never been injured. Understand she's a blood hound mix and would make a great hunting dog if we trained her for that. Now just to point out I never planned to free-range with my dog. The coop and run were designed so the chickens would have plenty of space all day and we could let them out when it's best for us. I always bring my dog inside before the let the chickens out. So I've had the chickens for a year now, Daisy May (my hound) sits at the run gate when I'm tending the chickens and does not go into the coop or run, though I still try to keep doors closed. I can take her out back to potty without a leash while the chickens free-range the yard but this has only been the last month or so. We still limit free-range time to the last 2 hours of the day to limit time I have to keep Daisy inside and I always make sure she had one last trip out to potty before I bring her in to let the chickens out. Things can get better and hopefully the dog will learn but the best thing your neighbor can do is tighten up the coop so the dog can't get in, and create a routine that will allow both to have thier own safe time in the yard. Depending on how the dog got in the coop? He mighy need to keep the dog chained or inside while he is not home so the dog doesn't bother the coop. My Daisy did dig under the gate a few times, not enough for her to get in but once it was enough for the girls to get out. A few 2x4s and packing in extra dirt and rocks finally worked but not until just before I had to seriously consider buying stone to cover the area and prevent digging.

She has learned, so there is hope for your neighbor. But I still don't trust her with the chickens on her own and I can't say right now if that will ever change. But it is getting easier to manage her around them.

 

[carlf]

We simply put our 8 week old chicks in the secure run where our Lab could see them 24/7.
Made sure she saw me feeding, watering and visiting with them.
At first it was like chicken tv. She watched and paced and watched and paced for hours.
Within 2 weeks they were old news and ignored.
At 12 weeks we put her on a leash 4 days in a row and let the birds out into the fenced back yard.
After doing this, she accepted them as part of the pack.
The eat out her bowl. They squat for her and she licks their backs. She lets them into her house with her when it rains.
When my broody hen hatched peeps, she sat and looked through the fence into the coop for 4 days. When Little Hen brought the peeps out into the run, it was chicken tv again for two days. After that, no big deal. In fact, when 3 peeps got through the fence somehow and couldn't get back in, she alerted me that something was wrong until I came out and put them back in.
So yes, even a hunting dog can be acclimated to accept chickens. But you have to work at it a little bit. And there is the off chance it just wont work out.