Help deciphering chicken and dog dynamics

[dedicateddourly]

Hi there,

I was just outside hanging with my dog and three 2-month old chicks. My dog Kurn was minding his own business and gnawing on his bully stick when Yolanda my EE walked up to him and started pecking at his body. She then progressed to scratching him, though they looked like cute little kicks. She continued for another minute at which point Kurn had had enough and started growling and barking. Is this Yolanda's way of trying to exert dominance over Kurn? Or did she just want his bully stick?

I thought it was pretty adorable, though being fully aware of Kurn's old grumpy ways, I had a hand on him the whole time.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Morgan7782]

lol! How odd! My 15 week old Barred Rock has total dominance over my 3 year old pit bull, she can walk up to him, and he gets out of her way. If he is in the comfty chair she wants, she just gives him a look and he gets down to the ground. Whenever I am petting Tommy, my dog, Joon, the pullet, comes up and pecks his nipples mercilessy. He either ignores her or walks away.

Joon established herself over the dog at around 8 weeks as well. But she didn't scratch him, she just didn't move whenever he trotted past. The pecking started when she was about 10 or 12 weeks old.

 

[dedicateddourly]

Quote:
Yeowch! LOL.

I can't wait to see how this all plays out. Kurn, in his old age, however, does not like his personal space invaded. The cats already get on his nerves.

 

[NarleevilleClucks]

My crazy BR hen tries to intimidate my 77 lb. Border Collie all the time! She usually is successfull too! Matilda just looks at her and steps away! It's a riot when the chickens chase the cat too!

 

[Baymule]

I used to have a house chicken. I kept her in a cage during the day and let her out at night when we got home from work. I had 2 cats and 3 dogs that I fed out of a community feed pan in the kitchen. It worked fine until the chicken entered the picture. The chicken commandeered the entire feed pan, standing in the middle of it, scratching and eating, and pecking the nose of any dog or cat who dared to take a bite. It was so funny to see a little chicken ringed by hungry dogs and cats-all scared of the chicken. They had to wait until she was through scratching their food and walk away before they could eat.

 

[noodleroo]

Maybe Yolanda just wanted to lay down with Kum and snuggle. My chickens do that with Patsy, my collie all the time. Kinda like they are just trying to get her fur in a comfortable little 'nest' before they get comfortable:

 

[AndreaS]

Quote:
What a good dog! Wow!

I have one Kitty who comes outside with me occasionally, my chickens chase and Peck at her, poor girl used to love her outside trips and now prefers to stay in the chicken free indoors!