Flock protector idea?

[wood&feathers]

OK, there have been lots of good ideas on training young dogs to be good with chooks. But what about adopting an adult dog?

When you walk into a shelter the really calm steady characters seem to stand out. Maybe bring along one chicken and ask to use a quiet room for intro. Watch the dog, maybe use a few bits of cat food to test for jealousy.

I don't want folks thinking it is some kind of shortcut, but if you are in the market for a dog anyway, could there be a protocol for testing the opposite of birdiness? I know a lot of shelters will test and say individual dogs are "not small animal safe".

Or am I way out in left field?

 

[gsim]

Someone who is a member of BYC and has experience in that very thing may see this and post something related. You might see if they will give a refund if it does not work out with one. Likely not, but may allow you to exchange for another dog instead. From what I read on here, you want one that is disinterested in chooks, pretty much ignoring them. Too much interest is viewed as a bad sign.

 

[HEChicken]

I know the humane society near me is so interested in making a "good match" that they will allow a lot of creativity in finding that match, so I say with some degree of certainty that they would allow it.