Some dogs are just fine with chickens or other birds from day one, no training. Others will never understand, that's my opinion.
We had a English springer spaniel and she was not a normal hyper dog ever. She always just ignored the chickens after her first sniff. She never bothered to slow down going through the flock but she also never chased or even acknowledged them.
Our blue heeler is somewhat helpful, even though she's untrained. I once had a button quail escape and fly to the other side of the yard. She was on it in a heartbeat. She brought it back to me without a feather ruffled and dropped it at my feet. I've also seen her stand over new hatched chicks that wandered off from their mom. She went to grab the chick but I freaked out and yelled her name. Thinking about it afterwards I'm pretty sure she was going to bring the chick to me, not attempt to hurt it. If the chickens are gathered near the back steps when she's wanting inside the dog door she will patiently wait until they move aside. BUT I have seen a rooster attack her and she will snap back at him. She doesn't protect them or round them up, they are just there and a part of her family.
The springer passed away from old age recently and we got a border collie/kelpie mix. I thought long and hard about what type of dog to get. I did not want a hunting dog (or rodent killer type/terrier), but would have considered a gun dog because the spaniel was so good. I preferred a herd type because guardians in SW fl would be just cruel imho with most being long haired. The BC mix was the right dog at the right time. He's been pretty good so far and I trust him after only 2 weeks. His first few days he would chase the toddler sized chicks and would smile when the big chickens scattered, I would reprimand him and he caught on quickly. Now he slows down when coming through the chickens and he ignores the little ones, even newborns with their broody mom. He's spent time outside alone with the chickens and chicks and I have not lost any. We'll see how the grows up since he's only 3.5 months old now but I suspect he's going to be a great dog.
My mom's dog on the other hand... She has a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. That little runt wont leave chickens alone. I'd never trust her to be outside alone with my birds.
I have a cat who will not mess with the newborn chicks, even ones I incubated who have no mom to protect them. I even found her guarding a little once who missed getting put back in the coop. It was dark outside and I kept hearing a loud peeping not from the coop. When I finally followed it down I found the chick standing next to the cat, who was laying down. Sootie was just sitting there keeping the chick company. My cat keeps the other cats away... mostly, some have slipped by her and got some of my chickens.
We had a English springer spaniel and she was not a normal hyper dog ever. She always just ignored the chickens after her first sniff. She never bothered to slow down going through the flock but she also never chased or even acknowledged them.
Our blue heeler is somewhat helpful, even though she's untrained. I once had a button quail escape and fly to the other side of the yard. She was on it in a heartbeat. She brought it back to me without a feather ruffled and dropped it at my feet. I've also seen her stand over new hatched chicks that wandered off from their mom. She went to grab the chick but I freaked out and yelled her name. Thinking about it afterwards I'm pretty sure she was going to bring the chick to me, not attempt to hurt it. If the chickens are gathered near the back steps when she's wanting inside the dog door she will patiently wait until they move aside. BUT I have seen a rooster attack her and she will snap back at him. She doesn't protect them or round them up, they are just there and a part of her family.
The springer passed away from old age recently and we got a border collie/kelpie mix. I thought long and hard about what type of dog to get. I did not want a hunting dog (or rodent killer type/terrier), but would have considered a gun dog because the spaniel was so good. I preferred a herd type because guardians in SW fl would be just cruel imho with most being long haired. The BC mix was the right dog at the right time. He's been pretty good so far and I trust him after only 2 weeks. His first few days he would chase the toddler sized chicks and would smile when the big chickens scattered, I would reprimand him and he caught on quickly. Now he slows down when coming through the chickens and he ignores the little ones, even newborns with their broody mom. He's spent time outside alone with the chickens and chicks and I have not lost any. We'll see how the grows up since he's only 3.5 months old now but I suspect he's going to be a great dog.
My mom's dog on the other hand... She has a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. That little runt wont leave chickens alone. I'd never trust her to be outside alone with my birds.
I have a cat who will not mess with the newborn chicks, even ones I incubated who have no mom to protect them. I even found her guarding a little once who missed getting put back in the coop. It was dark outside and I kept hearing a loud peeping not from the coop. When I finally followed it down I found the chick standing next to the cat, who was laying down. Sootie was just sitting there keeping the chick company. My cat keeps the other cats away... mostly, some have slipped by her and got some of my chickens.
I am still leary in regards to dogs and birds. My fears are probably what holds me back not the dogs per say. But, they are both bird dogs with regards to their breed. I guess that is where my worry lies. Will instincts override human commands?
That being said we do not leave her alone with our birds, but occasionally a chicken strays from the safety of the back pasture.
