Dog question

[JayWhit]

I have a question. I have a 3.5yr old border colie. She is great with kids, won't leave the back yard when the gate is open, and picks up well on lots of things we teach her. I'm curious to know if it'd be dumb to try and let my chickens free range with her around. I've got a shock collar for her we have used in training her. It's seemed to work well. I'm wondering if I could use it to teach her not to mess with the chickens. As of now she has never tried digging under the coop, or bothering them. Just runs circles around the cage like a border collie would herd them. Even lays in the shade near the coop any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dragonlair]

I don't know much about BC's but from people I know who have them, they have said that their BC's will herd their poultry (and everything else!) but have never attacked the birds.

 

[TeamChaos]

Our beloved Starla Jane was a fantastic chicken sitter and she was a border collie! I'd suggest getting your dog used to the flapping and squawking that startled chickens do while there is still a fence separating the dog from the birds. Once your BC is over the thrill of a bunch of noisy birds, I think you'd be ready to introduce them. I'd start by having the dog on lead so that you can address and re-direct any unwanted actions/reactions right away.

 

[bairo]

BC's have a heavily modified prey drive and usually are satisfied with just the eye stalking part. Introduce her slowly and have her with you every time you go out there. She will probably pick a spot "she thinks" the chickens are supposed to be and keep them in that area. As long as she does not hurt them I would not try to break this out of her. If you take a chair out with you when you let them out and have her next to you watching the chickens....she will likely pick that spot to lay and keep them in that same area. So pick your spot carefully

 

[Oregon Blues]

All dogs must be trained to leave the chickens alone. Some are very easy, some are more work.

If your dog is already trained, maybe all you need to do is to put her on a leash, let the chickens go, and tell her to leave it alone.

Even though all my dogs have been trained and I have never had any of my dogs go for the poultry, I don't leave my dogs unattended with loose poultry.

 

[miss blue]

BC are very smart dogs she should learn very quick try her on a lead first and see how she reacts and if she is still taking note of what u want raver then the chickens .... u should be able to tell by her reaction maybe some treats for the dogs for prays when she dose well.. one of my dogs the 4 year old is great with the chickens the other one is young only 1, so wants to play with them witch is not good. im hoping she will get out of the puppy stage soon lol

 

[Tmaxson01]

I have two Aussies and they do fine with my chickens. It actually surprised me how well they did. It took a little work (a lot of stern NOs when they would run after the birds) and I was there with them the first couple times they were out together but now they all eat treats together and just walk around pretty much ignoring each other and the only time they herd is when I ask them to. They have never tried to bite the birds. Every dog is different so I think it's just best to be cautious at first, but I beleive it can be done.

 

[Appylover]

Allie is good with the birds but I would never trust her alone with them. But she does sit in the run with me and watches them. At times they will wonder over and peck around near her and she growls. I find this a decent sign as she growls at annoying kittens and puppies too. It for her means she doesnt want that particuler family member on top of her at that moment. And then there are times she lets them roost on her. The only issue we ever had was with the runner ducks. For some reason she just did not want to stop chasing them. That is over with now as they are in the freezer.

 

[JayWhit]

Thanks. I would only have the chickens out when I could be home and keep an eye on them. I am gonna try to slowly get her used to them. Just as they "herd", I feel so far that's what she is wanting to do. She just circles pen some times.

 

[dainerra]

if you want her to be safe around the birds, then do NOT let her do that. An excited dog is going to frighten the birds. Frightened birds run. Running birds makes the dog want to chase. Chasing leads to grabbing in play or pouncing. Both of those lead to dead birds.