Feeling Very Guilty...Need Advice

[lbgreenfield]

We had to build a bigger coop. Now a 20by20 coop and breed crickets so the chickens still get the HUNT while be locked up. Everybody is happy now.

Crickets are a great idea!

 

[lbgreenfield]

We have an 8 month old Australian Shepard/Queensland healer. She definitely has the drive to herd the chickens and use them as a chew toy- but they have their own fenced in yard (out during the day, locked in their run/coop at night) within our yard and she just watches them through the fence. They get to “free range” in their little garden and she gets to wander the rest of the yard. We also have a walk in kennel in the backyard so when I need to clean in the coop or really have to attend to the chickens specifically without having to worry about her but she can still see me, even if she’s whining to be let out maybe that’s something you can try? But I love both the dog and the chickens and this is the way everyone can cohabitate in one yard!

We have a 0.5 acre fenced yard that is about 25 yards away from the coop/run, so when I got into the coop/run, the dog can still see me. I’m most likely going to get a tractor pen for the girls to free range in the yard, that way they are protected from the hawks/foxes/etc. and the dog.

 

[RedLionChooks]

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

I think this says a lot about your commitment to providing what your chickens need. It takes time to adjust to new circumstances, so keep at it. Keep in mind, there are other, global stressors exacerbating each and every other issue that arise for each of us. Take it easy on yourself, and do the best with what you have for now. Eventually, you will have a new system worked out, and everyone needs a bit of time to adjust. We can only do so much.

 

[Padfoot22]

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

I’m sorry you are having to deal with this stress as I can tell you really care what happens with both the dog and the chickens. Don’t give up! Have you seen portable free range chicken runs? You could make one or buy them. Chickens can hang out in the yard and get moved around safely then put back in the coop at night. Put a cover over part of the top for shade and put water in of course. Here is an example of one but there’s different types. You still want to keep the dog from messing with the run so as not to stress the birds too much.
https://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/TRIXIE-Outdoor-Run-with-Cover-L/6156813/product.html

 

[ZenSyd]

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

Give it time. Keep them separate. First work to make the dog comfortable with you. That will take a few weeks and once the dog “ gets it” and once the dog understands your routine you can take steps toward trying to supervise the chicken interactions. Always have the dog on a 6 ft leash when it is outside with you. Know that your anxiety will travel down the leash to the dog who will sense it as dogs are very perceptive.
I do not believe that the dog can work to train this until he is comfortable with you and sees you as his Alpha. Only then can you start training this:
Next comes training the “Leave It”. To do this you will need to prepare some quality treats for training. I suggest hot dogs cooked and sliced. Keep a pocket full of these and as you approach the coop stop at a distance when you feel the dog is getting anxious and tell the dog to “Leave it”. As soon as the dog relaxes and stops lunging praise with a “Good Leave it” and a treat. Then both of you turn and walk away.
This it’s the training pattern and over time you get closer to the coop.
Leash
Distance
“Leave It”
Dog relaxes or turns away = instant treat and praise “ Good Leave it”
Walk the dog away with praise.
Gradually you can reduce the distance as the dog understands and reacts appropriately. Eventually the chickens can be let out as the training continues.

 

[Wvsteph23]

I completely understand how you feel. You are a very caring person and you love your chickens and wanted to give love to another animal who needs it. Is the dog allowed in the house? If so, yoh could leave the dog in the house for a while and let the chickens out to free range. I don't think I would ever feel comfortable enough to let the dog around the chickens. I think you just need to find a system where you can give everyone some free time outside at different times. I'm sure the chickens won't mind too much as long as they get a little free time.

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

 

[LaurieLP5]

We have a 0.5 acre fenced yard that is about 25 yards away from the coop/run, so when I got into the coop/run, the dog can still see me. I’m most likely going to get a tractor pen for the girls to free range in the yard, that way they are protected from the hawks/foxes/etc. and the dog.

This is what we did and everyone is pretty happy. The chickens get their own yard which I’m still working on to make it fun for them and the dog gets to run around and check them out and boy do the hens like to tease her. I’m hoping eventually it won’t be such an issue when she’s a little more grown and realizes the chickens are family members too! Good luck! I understand how hard this can be juggling everything.

 

[Linda in Idaho]

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

I live in a neighborhood where people let their dogs run free. I purchased 4' electric fencing to enclose the chicken area (about 1/2 acre). This has taken care of the problem for me. It allows my hens to free range and keeps dogs from getting to them. Once a dog touches the fence, it doesn't try it again. My hens are content and don't try to escape the enclosure.

 

[Ckcarlisle]

Hello all. This is slightly embarrassing for me and a long read. We have a current flock of 11 chickens (Five 2.5-year old hens and six 12-week old chicks). I am the primary caretaker of all of them, and I am very, very attached to my chickens and they are attached to me. My husband jokes that he thinks I love the chickens more than I love him sometimes.

We’ve been debating rescuing a shelter dog for almost 5 years now and we finally adopted a 3-year old border collie/pit bull mix who comes from an abusive home. We have had him for about 5 days now. The dog pound didn’t know much about his background. He’s a surprisingly good dog despite his upbringing (friendly towards people, is semi-house trained) but as we’ve come to find out over the past few days, he has a very strong prey drive when it comes to any animal (rabbits especially). We’ve done a very controlled (fully leashed) distanced introduction with the dog/chickens and the dog has lunged and pulled to get closer.

We are keeping the chickens in their run/coop for the time being and I am feeling INCREDIBLY guilty about it. The chickens are used to free ranging during the evenings and have been vocally complaining, making crying sounds, moping around the pen/coop. I feel so horrible and have been trying to spend as much time in the pen as possible but it has been difficult with the new dog (husband works a lot and I’m the primary care taker of the dog while working from home FT). It is making me so emotional and sad and almost resentful towards the dog. Am I being crazy? Over analyzing every move the dog makes? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my chickens because of the dog. Just looking for some advice from others on this...

 

[lbgreenfield]

I think this says a lot about your commitment to providing what your chickens need. It takes time to adjust to new circumstances, so keep at it. Keep in mind, there are other, global stressors exacerbating each and every other issue that arise for each of us. Take it easy on yourself, and do the best with what you have for now. Eventually, you will have a new system worked out, and everyone needs a bit of time to adjust. We can only do so much.

Thank you for the encouragement! I get stressed very easily, so I’m hoping with time things will go to a “new normal” for us.