First day out and Beagle

[frstchknz]

I finally got my outdoor pen finished and let my 7 week olds out for the first time

They were a little scared at first, but then started to explore the area close to the door. It was so funny when one would get frightened and move toward the door they all would run (or fly) as fast as they could up the ramp and inside the coop. Soon you would see one peaking out again and then not long they would all be coming back out for another adventure. I had so much fun watching them.

My question is... I have a beagle that is fascinated by these chickens. She sits outside the fence and just stares at them. When I was out in the pen with the chickens they didn't seem to mind much. Today I when I put them out I came back inside the house. I can see the entire pen from my kitchen window as it's very near my coop and pen. The beagle is not barking, not jumping, but just sitting there glaring at them. They don't seem to want to come out at all today. Will they eventually get used to this dog? I have two dogs and the other one barked at them and scared them so I brought her in the house with me. I'm going to have to work on her about barking at the chickens. They're both good dogs, I have no intentions of ever letting them get inside the pen or the chickens ever coming out. I'm looking for suggestions from people with dogs and your experiences.
Thanks

 

[schellie69]

My big girls are used to the dog barking and stuff the babies are learning. I do have a beagle mix I use the word baby with him since he was a puppy and he has never harmed any of the animals I have had , snakes, rabbits, kittens, chicks. I would watch and see but they should get used to each other.

 

[Hinotori]

I've taught my two youngest dogs "mine". If I have something or take something from them and tell them "mine", they know they can't ever touch it. Both of them are still young and were 6 & 7 months when I got the chicks. I showed them each other since first day home. The birds aren't afraid of those two dogs. The german shepherd got into the run yesterday when I went to fill up the water. Found her eating chicken treats with them. (My fault, gate wasn't fully shut) She let's them climb all over her.

My aussie x blue heeler mostly ignores them except to chase the little birds off that come to steal chicken food. The chicks chase them from inside and he waits on the outside.

Now my mostly deaf, half blind, old schipperke scares them. She's let them know that if she finds one of them she will eat it. She goes to the run and barks and growls at them. The GSD tries to get between her and them. I can't leave her outside unattended more than a few minutes since she gets herself into trouble and I think the eagles will have her for a snack.

 

[kizanne]

Just be warned, beagle is part of the hound dog group. I love my dogs but one of them if a beagle/gordon setter mix and she is not to be trusted that staring is part of their hunting. Your birds I'm sure will get used to them and come out but I'd keep the beagle seperate from the chicks.

 

[frstchknz]

Thank you for your replies. I have no intentions of ever letting the dogs get to the chickens. The chickens are safe in their run, however, they are scared of the dogs when they are along the outside of the fence and they hide inside the coop. I was wondering if the chickens would eventually get used to the dogs being there? and what if the dogs bark at them? I can't be out there all the time. The chickens are completely safe, but I would like them to be able to enjoy their run also.

I said in my last post that the beagle had not barked at them.. and just as I hit the submit button .. she started barking..

I hope the chickens will come out soon

 

[Dingo]

I have a beagle mix, she's not as vocal as most beagles are but she's got the voice. I've found she's more likely to bark when she's excited and bay when she's nervous/curious/excited.
They will get use to the dogs barking and will learn that being watched isn't bad. But unless you know what would happen if the dogs and birds should have an unprotected encounter, it's best to keep them apart or with a fence between them.
Both of mine love to watch the chicks.

 

[WriterofWords]

Beagles are hunting dogs. My antique Beagle Sir Elliotte would have no qualms snacking on a chick if he could catch one still. Just make sure yours can't get through the fence and neither can they.

 

[Erica]

A visual barrier might help, though it would make it harder for you to see what's going on. But if you kept it low enough to break up the tension between dog and chickens it might help.

The dog probably also needs a new distraction to keep her occupied away from the chickens — a big meaty bone might help her come to terms with new arrangements. Personally I would be keeping the dog leashed and using the 'no' plus jerk routine when she tries to hunt (or stare, which as others have said is basically hunting). The dog could have free time when you're out there to supervise, if she earns the right to free time by behaving on leash. It wouldn't take long for most well socialised dogs to learn what's appropriate to hunt.

Many dogs will never ever be trustworthy around chickens, but training may make all the difference between certain death for a chicken escapee, and a little bit of leeway time in which you can catch and re-pen it.

 

[Dingo]

Quote:
Small breed dogs(paerticularly beagles, as the name implies "open throat" from bayer and gueule "mouth") are much more suceptible to collapsed trachea from neck trauma, this includes leash corrections. Not to mention the spinal injuries that can occur.
I would suggest doing some counter conditioning and desensitization if the OP wanted to do any training.

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
I just noticed one of your dogs looks a lot like mine. To the OP maybe calling the dog back a little will help. The chicks will get used to the dogs being there and won't notice them so much just right now everything is new and scary here is my 4 legged rooster he protect the chickens he is a Chi/pom/terrier mix