Getting a Dog with Chickens

[Al93]

We've got 4 chickens in the backyard, and I'm strongly considering getting a dog.
The coop/run is an amateur DIY job, and while we haven't had any problems with predators (and the only thing around here really are foxes) my feeling is that if it were a strong, determined dog all bets are off.
The issue is the breed I'm looking at does have a fairly high prey drive. While obviously I intend to train and socialise it as best I can, I know that sometimes nature takes over. I've asked owners of the breed and they generally seemed to think it was okay, especially if the animals are ones it grow up with.
I wonder, if the dog grew up around them and was trained to behave around them, how safe would it be? While I think most days if I were out and no one was home, the chickens would be in the run and I'd prefer to leave the dog outside, but I don't know whether I'd be able to trust it.

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

Dog here is Kelpie breed, as a pup she was around chickens at first she would chase em a little playfully had a few tugs at some tail feathers but nothing serious, Kelpies are very clever breed and she learnt fast not to hassle chooks just by people saying no when it looked like she was gonna hassle em. She use to sometimes sleep with the chooks out on the porch. Now shes really good with them, sometimes she eats there chook food tho, like she's part of the flock. The other breed of dog we were gonna get instead of this one was gonna be a bull arab/pig dog might have been a little different with that breed as it's a hunting dog, Kelpie is farm/herding dog. Best bet I reckon is getting the dog young and teaching it.

 

[Callender Girl]

Please make sure you socialize and train your dog ASAP. I fell in love with a wonderful Great Pyrenees pup who, at 7 months old, came from a place with goats and chickens. As it turns out, she was NEVER let out with those critters, and by the time she came to live with me, she was VERY interested in both and thought goats were playmates she could chase.

Before I could break her of that habit, she was gored by the diva goat who had had more than enough of Pearl's "play." Long story made short: Pearl, who was never supposed to be a house dog, became one. I, who was never supposed to live out here alone, was only 15 pounds bigger than the adult Pearl -- who never outgrew her desire to chase -- rabbits, squirrels, whatever. Despite obedience classes, I couldn't always control her enthusiastic movements. She could clear fences when determined, and a busy country road runs along my property.

Eventually, Pearl was rehomed by a lovely rescue group and now lives with another Pyr, the most wonderful family ever, and I miss her every day.

 

[Isadora]

We've got 4 chickens in the backyard, and I'm strongly considering getting a dog.
The coop/run is an amateur DIY job, and while we haven't had any problems with predators (and the only thing around here really are foxes) my feeling is that if it were a strong, determined dog all bets are off.
The issue is the breed I'm looking at does have a fairly high prey drive. While obviously I intend to train and socialise it as best I can, I know that sometimes nature takes over. I've asked owners of the breed and they generally seemed to think it was okay, especially if the animals are ones it grow up with.
I wonder, if the dog grew up around them and was trained to behave around them, how safe would it be? While I think most days if I were out and no one was home, the chickens would be in the run and I'd prefer to leave the dog outside, but I don't know whether I'd be able to trust it.

What dog breed are you looking at? Are you completely settled on getting this breed? It may be worth looking at other breeds, if you really want a dog.

 

[Erin80]

We have a Vizsla......so a “bird dog”. She is so incredibly smart and knows 100% that the chickens are off limits. I can absolutely trust her. It’s all about training, training, training right from a puppy.

 

[Al93]

I'm looking at an Akita. Funnily enough the Vizsla is the other breed I was considering. But I've been pretty set on getting one of them.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How experienced are you in training dogs?

Are you really good at reading dog body language?

Most dogs are not mature until well over a year in age. Large breeds taking much longer than small ones.
Even if you can get the dog to behave around the birds while you are present I don't think it's a good idea to leave them in the yard unattended with those tempting birds right there.
Maybe an option for when you have to be gone would be a really big dog kennel since you're looking at a large breed of dog.

 

[RojoMarz]

We have an almost 8 yo Jack Russel Terrier that we adopted last fall. He was not socialized or trained to be chicken friendly. I have trained him to not bark or bother the chickens, when they are in their pen.

I only free range occasionally. During those times, I use the opportunity to work with him on leash and approaching/walking around the chickens. No matter how good he gets, I will likely never let him and the chickens free range together. The temptation is too great.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm looking at an Akita. Funnily enough the Vizsla is the other breed I was considering. But I've been pretty set on getting one of them.

Akitas are very powerful and often willful and independent dogs. They're generally considered to be risky around other animals (especially small animals), including other dogs. If you're really set on getting one, training is a must, and even then I'd consider not letting him/her stay outside without supervision... and/or a good electric fence.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Akitas are very powerful and often willful and independent dogs. They're generally considered to be risky around other animals (especially small animals), including other dogs. If you're really set on getting one, training is a must, and even then I'd consider not letting him/her stay outside without supervision... and/or a good electric fence.

Rosemarythymes right on Akita personalities in general. But...I've had two dogs that are generally considered poor matches with small animals...a German shepherd and an Akita. Both grew up to be the best livestock protectors you could ask for. The German shepherd was with me for 13 years and never killed an animal, the Akitas been with me for 10 years ands likewise never killed an animal. Well, not counting wildlife...both did kill wild rabbits, squirrels and birds. But they were completely trustworthy with domestic rabbits and birds.

I'm a big advocate of the importance of picking your puppy for their temperament. If your buying a purebred dog, a good breeder will let you come multiple times to interact with the puppies. I look for calm puppies that make eye contact with me. I move away and call and watch to see if they look at me or come towards me. I play with them enough to get a good idea of how well the puppy responds to a grumpy voice...will it pause and look at you or just go about it's business? It generally takes a few visits to be sure. The puppy that's looking to people and responding to people is the puppy to go with. If it's mostly focused on it's puppy wishes...it'll be harder to train.

When picking a working animal, you need an animal that's naturally inclined to be responsive to people. Visit the puppy your looking at a few times and when you find the right puppy, keep them with you at all times for that first year. Use a leash to keep them at your side if needed. Look for moments to praise them, play with them and discipline them kindly but firmly. If you do like me and leave them out at night after the first year, make sure your animals are safely locked up at night to make sure your dog doesn't get the chance to make a mistake that you might not be able to train out of them. And during the day, continue to keep them at your side to keep your bond with them strong. A good dogs not hard to train, but it does take thinking ahead to avoid problems, constant commitment and a lot of love.