Golden Retriever "moved" a hen, now she's acting weird-thoughts?

[franklinchickens]

We have a foster golden retriever who has been perfectly fine around the chickens but today picked up one of the hens and moved her out of the run into the yard and dropped her there. I can't see any puncture wounds or anything like that - just a bunch of slobber on her back. She seemed to be a bit in shock and was open mouth breathing on my daughter's lap for about 10 minutes. Now she's hiding under a shrub and doesn't want to come out (the dog is inside). I did tempt her out with a blueberry which she ate, then went right back under the shrub. She's walking fine and I can't see or feel any injuries.
The question is: should I worry about this - just observe and keep the dog away - is this normal retriever behavior? Or is this something that has happened to others and not something to be concerned about?

 

[aubreynoramarie]

of course it is normal retriever behavior...thats what theyre bred to do!

fortunately they are also bred to be soft mouthed and to not damage the birds in any way, so hopefully your little girl is okay. maybe it just freaked her out a bit...

 

[franklinchickens]

Thanks @aubreynoramarie - that's what I hope for - she's still under the shrub squatting down and won't come out. I have to go out for a few hours and I'm worried she might not be ok.

 

[dianaross77]

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x2

 

[teach1rusl]

Just keep an eye on the little hen - probably just scared her to death, so she's a bit in shock. Just because the pooch is a gold. retriever doesn't necessarily mean a soft mouth, but it sounds like you lucked out and this one is.

You'll still want to keep a close eye on the pooch too, just so it doesn't get in the habit of trying to "move" your birds that way...lol.

 

[franklinchickens]

An update - Mimi (the chicken) seems to be fine if still a bit skittish after her encounter with the retriever. He's a really sweet dog but we've only had him about a week as a foster til he gets adopted. Who knows - he might have been used for duck hunting before being given up for adoption. It's not like he attacked her or shook her, just transported her from one place to another. Mimi is eating and walking around the yard just fine and doesn't seem to be in any pain or limping or anything. Just gave her some yogurt and she dug right in but she didn't come flying down the hill at me like she usually does. Not sure how long chickens remember things but hopefully she'll be back to her usual friendly personality soon.

 

[drumstick diva]

Poor Mimi, what a fright! I don'tblame - she thought she was a goner.

 

[franklinchickens]

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My daughter thought so too - she was the one who witnessed it and came screaming in the house that Denny was carrying Mimi around the yard in his mouth! By the time I ran out, he had dropped her but I'm sure he gave her the biggest fright she'd ever had. Us too, chicken-wise.