Found my dog in the coop.....

[gryeyes]

My elderly dachshund killed 3 of my adolescent chickens several months ago, in 3 separate events. (1 pullet per event.) All my fault. So I became even more vigilant.

The past few weeks, I've been working with him now that I let the chickens range freely when I'm at home. The chickens are all grown up (except for six adolescents, two of which are bantam cochins) and the rooster has put Zorro in his place a couple of times. He sorta lunges, half-heartedly, when a chicken RUNS, stopping when I yell "No!" but otherwise there have been no problems for 3 months. I was heartened by this.

And I got careless. Whilst expanding the run (the chickens do not free range when I am not home), Zorro caught himself one of the bantam cochins and ran from me with it in his mouth. By the time I got to them, it was too late, and the cochin died in my arms.

So now I know his "good behavior" was related to chicken size. Since the few bantams I have will never be bigger than the dog, I can never, ever trust him anywhere near them.

 

[emmak]

So sad to hear about your chicken. I have two dogs, and one is so focused on the chickens that I am sure she would kill them if she had the chance. My coop and run are well protected, but you never know. My other dog is a shepherd mix and seems to guard the chickens, but I don't know if I can trust her if my first dog went after the hens. This is my only major worry with the chickens. Once again, so sorry to read about your loss.

 

[mike67909]

I have a 4 yr old black lab and an 8 month old german short hair pointer. They are always going in the coop. The pointer likes to go in real quite and point at the chickens on the roost, its really funny to watch. But other than that they never hurt the chickens they like to run through a group of them sometimes for fun but thats about it.

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

My blue heeler is good with adult chickens, but not until they are about 6 or 7 months old. Would I trust him alone with them, no way. If they fly or make a sudden movement the herding instinct is just too strong.

 

[newchik715]

Well thanks everyone. I am glad to see everyone agrees with me. I hope if I show this to hubby he will realize he can't leave the dog alone like that. I go to school 6 days a week now and I hope no one gets careless when I am not home. I think I will ask hubby to not do anything with the chickens unless i am home. I would be so mad if he let them all out together and something happened.

 

[Slater1995]

I had two blue heelers and they are chicken killers. I have one left and she is getting old and does not seem to bother them now, but we think she killed all my babies last year.

Remember, a dog's natural instinct is to hunt and birds are one of their natural prey. Most dogs will behave while there owners are around but when you are not looking there is no one to stop them. They are just like little kids, the are fine until you turn your head.

I would never trust a dog around my birds. Too much time, money and love into them to have them killed.

Thanks,
Teresa

 

[teach1rusl]

I trust my dogs with my chickens, but it took a long time to get there for me. I would spend a little time every day outside with the dog and chickens intermingling to get a better feel for what level of trust you should have.

 

[rmc85]

Our bloodhound has never hurt a chicken but she loves to raid the coop for eggs!

 

[dchickenman]

Quote:
You'll only get out of a dog what you put into it. A lot of hard work makes all the difference

 

[redhen]

Quote:
You'll only get out of a dog what you put into it. A lot of hard work makes all the difference

Even then.. i'd still never ever trust a dog with birds... just my opinion though.