Dogs vs. chickens

[scootermom]

My 2 tiny banty hens would chase my 100 pound lab if he had a bone or some other treat! They knew they had him buffaloed! I wish I had video'd them! A pointer we took in on the other hand, was INTENSELY interested in eating them! For lots of reasons including that, he had to fine him a new home...
You have to know your dog, any dog may be fine when you're right there, but give in to the temptation when you're not watching....

 

[lemurchaser]

My dogs are great with the chickens, with some good verbal control I can call them back to me if necessary. The chickens run around the dogs, the dogs ignore them. The dogs sleep on the grass the chickens are all around them, they shared the back yard so well. I was so proud of my dogs, who had never been around birds of any type. They were great. Until they killed one. I came out (I thought I was within earshot of the dogs and chickens, but I was distracted) and one of my barred rocks had been "played" with to death. I think every bone in her body was broken, so I'm sure she was shaken. I began watching the dogs very carefully, but they were so good. Then I finally figured out how it happened when I saw that the chickens would randomly fly up onto the dog run fence, then fly down screaming/squawking/flapping and then they started running. They were too much like prey in that one instance and my dogs started chasing the one that did it. I called the dogs to me, and they came right away. Then it happened again when one of the chickens got a sticky fly trap stuck on her (screaming/flailing behavior). Again I stopped the dogs. But for months in between each event everything was great. The dogs never chased the chickens, they were gentle around them (no wild play when the chickens were around), etc. Then I found my other barred rock alive, but with the skin of her head and neck removed. The dogs did it. It was in good fun for them. They aren't out to massacre my chickens. But since then I have portable fencing I put up to keep dogs and chickens separate. It isn't worth the heartbreak.
I guess my moral is that some dogs can handle it, but remember that when mixing predators (dogs) with prey (chickens), accidents happen. It is not the dogs fault really, it is ours for putting them in that situation. Training is really important, but you should always be there when the dogs and chickens are together if you want to guarantee safety.

 

[wjallen05]

Maybe a herding type of dog that can be trained to protect livestock might be ok, but still I would keep an eye on them

Herding dogs most deffinetly can not be trained to protect.

My Border Collie killed my daughter's favorite chicken by "herding" it into a corner and playing with her too hard. We got on to her (REALLY got on to her) and she hasn't messed with a chicken sense then. Certainlly don't trust her around the young ones, though.

My male Pyrenees doesn't care much about the chickens (either ignores them or takes them as a threat, depends), but my female Pyrenees LOOOOOVES the chickens, especially baby chicks. Oh, man. She will protect them with her life.

Our Poodle is really bad about chasing the chickens, but he's never hurt one.​

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Quote:
Thats not totally true. I have had everal Aussies, and a few Heelers, that where very good protectors of my birds.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote:
Thats not totally true. I have had everal Aussies, and a few Heelers, that where very good protectors of my birds.

There are exceptions to every rule, but in general a herding dog is not a good first choice if you want a guardian animal.

Therefore, we must remember that herding instinct is derived from the dog's instinct to hunt - the prey drive. His pack instinct gives him the desire to work with you (the pack leader) while doing so. Livestock also respond instincts when they were prey and move away from a dog that approaches them. It is important for us to remember that once we have awakened our beardie's herding instinct we have awakened an instinct that is based on the prey drive.

http://bccc.pair.com/getstart.htm

Most any "yard dog" will be territorial enough to bark at intruders.
That's not the same as a true guardian dog who bonds to certain animals and protects them full time

http://www.bountifulfarm.com/lgd_seminar.htm

Do people use guard dogs with their stock? You bet. We’ve heard from folks who use Dobermans, Rotweilers, even wolf crosses and swear by them. Do we recommend the practice? Not on your life, or more properly, not on the lives of your animals. Anyone who uses dogs with high prey drive to guard their livestock is risking a bloodbath in the stockyard and for those who do it knowingly, that’s their own business. Even people who use working dogs without a high prey drive such as Aussies are taking a chance. How many times a day would you like your herd run into the barn and back to the pasture? Most dogs will do what they were bred to do and, although there are always exceptions, we can only recommend a dog that has been bred to work as a Livestock Guardian Dog. No matter which of the many histories of the LGD that you may read, they all agree on one thing – these dogs have been bred for thousands, yes thousands, of years to do the job of protecting the animals that are important to you.​

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Bearfoot, I see what youre saying, Ive always had great luck with herd dogs, and them protecting my animals.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote:
LOL I've been lucky myself.
I had a Bloodhound who was great with chickens, but I'd never suggest that anyone else try it!

No matter what breed dog you use, it takes TRAINING!

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Oh i know thats for sure, weve had several different breeds of dog, rat terriers, fiest, curs, and most of them was trainable, but a couple of them, not so much.

 

[ellyn]

Enjoy reading the experiences of others--no need to post my own question!
BTW -- I have posted once before and now can't find/figure out where/how to post something "NEW". HELP! -- if you can direct me.

I have two Westies and my male has turned into a whiney dog over the girls...wants to go out and run around the chicken run--seems like he'd be a bad mix up close and personal.
I hope he'll get over them after awhile--I hope when they are bigger or as big as him that he'll move on to more interesting pass time.

Can the dog behavior put the chickens off their laying?

Part of me thinks that the chickens are getting used to Rocket's behavior and know they are not going to get hurt---"That dog can't seem to get on this side of our fence." LOL

 

[Cadjien_De_Louisiane]

I have a yellow lab that if Im home and outside she will just hold a chichen down if one gets out but if Im not home she will eat it.