Dogs and Chickens, Coexisting In Peace

[Flocky]

Hello All,

I thought I would share my positive experience about chickens and dogs getting along. First off I breed and raise German Shepherds. I am currently raising a ten month old female who is in training for competition obedience and personal protection. She is a very high energy girl with lots of prey drive. I have always wanted chickens and this spring we took the plunge! I will admit chicken math got the better of me and we currently have seventeen chicks between the ages of seven and eleven weeks old. After careful introductions while the chicks were in there brooder and some strict rules about not bothering them when loose, we are headed in a very positive direction. For now all their time together is supervised but in a few months, when the chicks are full grown, we will start trying unsupervised yard time.

I would love to hear stories and see photos from others who have successfully accomplished a peaceful dog and chicken household!

Here is my girl Eva and our chick Dahlia

Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing your story too

 

[kennyj]

We have two dogs (black and tan coonhound, and a small/medium mutt) and four chickens in the city. The smaller dog is afraid of everything and mainlly stays away from my hens. My coonhound when we first got our hens grabbed one by the neck the first day. I yelled at him quite loudly and he dropped her immediately, he is very obedient. Since then, he ignores the ladies and won't bother them at all.

As far as the chickens, they are not afraid of the dogs... they all roam around the backyard while the dogs are out.

 

[Flocky]

We have two dogs (black and tan coonhound, and a small/medium mutt) and four chickens in the city. The smaller dog is afraid of everything and mainlly stays away from my hens. My coonhound when we first got our hens grabbed one by the neck the first day. I yelled at him quite loudly and he dropped her immediately, he is very obedient. Since then, he ignores the ladies and won't bother them at all.

As far as the chickens, they are not afraid of the dogs... they all roam around the backyard while the dogs are out.

It certainty does pay to have on obedient dog!

Eva working on her "down stay" and Teriyaki photo bombing from behind the tree

 

[kennyj]

One thing I failed to mention... my dogs absolutely love to eat chicken poo... it's a canine delicacy that is quite disgusting to us humans. First thing they do when I let them out is hunt down some stuff to get into.

 

[Flocky]

@kennyjI am happy Eva eats the chicks poop! Big help in cleaning up our patio! I just don't want any dog kisses afterwards. Bleh

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Eva is such a good girl. I like those black and white chickens in the background. Are they a mix breed or a particular breed?

 

[Flocky]

Eva is such a good girl.  I like those black and white chickens in the background.  Are they a mix breed or a particular breed?

The two on the left are Silver Lakenvelders, the one in the middle is some sort of EE cross

 

[Flocky]

These naughty chicken prefer pooping on my patio and lawn furniture versus the lovely grassy yard...

 

[tntchix]

One thing I failed to mention... my dogs absolutely love to eat chicken poo... it's a canine delicacy that is quite disgusting to us humans. First thing they do when I let them out is hunt down some stuff to get into.

Yes, I 'm sure My dog will be adding that to her steady diet of cat poop too. YUCK!

 

[nayeli]

That is amazing. My dogs are fine with the baby ducks but mine went after our adult drake teeth out =/