Dogs and chickens . . help!!!

[flopsy]

We have three large dogs. Will be getting two hens in about a week. How can I make sure they all get along??

 

[Buster]

I would keep the chickens penned away from the dogs. I would also set your dogs up one by one and then as a group and watch how they behave around them. Dogs can easily get a pack mentality and go after things that they normally wouldn't do on their own. Good luck to you. I was really worried about my dog when I got my chickens because she is a stock dog and it turns out that she doesn't care about chicken at all!

 

[mooman]

I would introduce individually. Be prepared to tackle the dog, flip it on it's back and growl in it's face if it shows anything other than mild curiosity. If the dogs view you as alpha dog (not always the case believe it or not) then they should get the point. What kind of dogs are they. The only dog i've ever had a problem with is was a herder mix. Almost lost a chcicken when my neighbor brought it over to play and I forgot the chickens were out. I looked like an idiot chasing that dog around the back yard.

why only two hens? It's just as easy to care and house four and that way if you lose one you won't be left with a lone depressed chicken.

 

[Portia]

I gave my dogs plenty of time to get used to the chickens while they were in a run; my little dog is gets obsessed with small furry critters plus needs time to adjust to changes or new things in her environment. One day I opened the gate and let the chickens come out on their own, then went into the yard with the dog; leash & muzzle at the ready. All she did was herd them back into the run. Now she lets the range the yard without issue, I often see her and my other dog laying in the yard surrounded by chickens. My other dog is a retired greyhound with zero prey drive and no interest in having to chase his meal. All he wanted to do was sniff their fuzzy little butts; and lost interest quickly when they wouldn't hold still for him.
My friends dog, who is also a greyhound is the exact opposite. She has enough prey drive for a dozen dogs and even with a muzzle and leash tried to bowl over several chickens. Her new name is ChickenBowler. We don't let her out in the yard when the chickens are free ranging.

 

[pixiechic]

Quote:
Never can tell with dogs. I have two retired Greyhounds, and one of them couldn't be less interested in the chickens or the chicks. The other, well, he's a little too interested. He hasn't tried to pounce them yet, but the first time he saw the chicks he actively salivated. He's getting a little better now, but I would never leave either of them alone with chickens.

 

[flopsy]

Hey, Mooman. They are Airedales. I'm the Alpha with the male dog, but we have a female we adopted through Airedale Rescue that is NOT trained. Hubby was supposed to do that with the new baby, but . . . .
Guess I"m gonna have to train this one, too. Two hens right now but will get more. These two are given to me by friend as well as two small chickens, including a rooster. The small ones aren't out of the brooder yet, so I'll get them when she can tell a rooster from a hen.