Dogs

[Littledeer22]

We have dogs, and they have been raised around chickens and geese. I went out this morning, because our geese were honking. Our dogs were attacking one of them. I brought it into the house and went to look for it’s mate. The dogs had already killed it and our puppies were eating it. I guess my question is, did the dogs go after them because of the puppies? If so, why?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No one can know that. Dogs are predators first and foremost. What sets them off on a particular day is often a mystery. The prey drive makes them go after animals that move.

 

[Folly's place]

I can certainly see where puppies being present can make a huge difference in pack dynamics! You didn't witness the trigger event, so who knows?
Assume that the dogs and birds must be separate, either forever, or until after the puppies are all gone, and you have retrained your adults.
Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I guess my question is, did the dogs go after them because of the puppies? If so, why?

Parenting animals can be quite protective, hormones are running on crazy mode... maybe your geese pushed their luck? Once the attack starts pack mentality kicks in.

Eating animals that are preyed on is a learned behavior. My dogs kill all kinds of stuff and never eat it.

Your dogs are not to be trusted around your other animals anymore.

Sorry for your loss!

ETA: maybe one of the untrained pups decided it was play time and others joined in.

 

[centrarchid]

I have three adult dogs and seven puppies pushing 8 weeks of age. The puppies are a powerful motivator in terms of what the adults do. Pups get adults riled and wanting to chase something.

All three adult dogs eat much of what they kill although they are slow to eat opossums and raccoons. Rabbits, birds and deer(roadkill or dead in woods) they will eat in short order. Pups have not accessed a carcass yet to my knowledge, but I think they will eat what adults present in short order. I think they will eat a fresh rabbit quickly as well.

Past litters raised I had female dogs go out and catch a belly full of voles, rabbit or large snake and vomit up the load when puppies begged. Pups the woofed the slimy eats down.

Once pups we are getting rid of are out the door, then remaining puppies will be allowed to eat chicken offal. They will be expected to know over time that eating live chickens is a no-no.