HELP ME!!!!

[peruvian_princess]

Well I say go ahead and rehome the chickens while they are still alive. If you plan to do nothing to ensure their safety why keep them? Especially if you dont plan on getting rid of the dog I would just rehome the chickens for their safety. As big as a mastiff is he is going to get to them no matter what you think you have done to protect them. So not fair to the chickens.

 

[dixygirl]

So sorry. My dog bit one of my chicks and it died instantly. Since then I have had to run a VERY tight ship. Keeping everyone separated in shifts. That works but you can't be slack at all. Don't expect disciplining a dog to work against its natural instincts because it won't work.

It is all up to how determined you are to run a tight ship. When the dog is out the chicks are enclosed, watched and preferably very far away from the dog on the other side of the house. The dog is out but tied up so he can't get very far. No one is ever left unattended near each other.

If you don't want to keep everything really tight and controlled, and commit yourself to never making a mistake...may as well give the remaining chicks away now to a suitable home. Because the dog will never be trusted not to have a quick snack.

If you do nothing except say "bad dog", may as well let him eat the rest now. Because he will!
It does not feel like you want to run a tight ship. I sense you want to let the dog run free. So please find good homes for your chicks.

They didn't ask to be brought into this.

 

[pixiechick]

I don't blame you a bit for not wanting to get rid (or shoot) you dog! My dog has been around chickens and never gotten hold of one, but I still don't trust her. She may be my hairy daughter who enjoys doing everything with me but she is still a dog! It's my responsibility, not hers, to make sure everyone is safe, and I do that by keeping chickens in the run when she's outside and dogs in the house when the chickens are out.

If your mastiff can get to your chickens, so can just about anything else so the dog isnt' really the problem. Fix your run and things should be fine.

 

[Solsken Farm]

There are training methods. I am going to go look for the link. Would you be able to contact a dog trainer? I would hate for you to get rid of your chickens. I totally understand the love you have for your dog and he is just doing what some dogs do......

Edited it to add: I think it is really unhelpful for people to shame to OP. This just began occuring and she just figured out it was her beloved family pet. Gosh, how about some empathy and some brainstorming instead of finger wagging. I am surprised to see such harshness.

 

[smith2]

You have to remember it is a dog's natural tendency to hunt things that move. They don't usually eat them, but rather just kill them. We have had 2 huge dogs and we put them on a long, heavy chain away from the chickens. We have a good secure pen for the birds and the dogs had to be taught to stay away from the chickens. It sounds like you guys are going through a farm animal adjustment phase, and they happen to everyone who has more than one type of animal. I wouldn't give up on solutions too soon, and keep searching for possible ways to accomodate both. Both animals have very real benefits for your family. I wouldn't kill anything yet. Secure and tighten your pen fence and wait and see what happens.

 

[menageriemama]

I really feel for you. We have this problem, and as a result, my life is day after day of shuffling animals. Dogs out? First make sure chickens are in. The ducks escaped? Make the kids catch them before the dogs go out. Or, if the guineas are ranging, then the dogs have to be leash walked. It is a pain, but I am unwilling to get rid of any of my critters. Plus, my kids are learning a lot about responsibility and are a big help with animal rotation. It is doable and it works. Not exactly what I had in mind when I started out on this venture though...

 

[cherrychicken]

ok first off, im sorry you have to go through this. second off, 1. keep the dog away from chickens at all times 2. secure the coop, make sure there are no weak links 3. ive heard if you find your dog being bad (aka) squirt their nose/mouth with lemon juice mixed with water (water should be 1/2 lemon juice should be 1/2) and be care ful not to squirt there eyes. if you dont want to do this punish him somehow eg. take away his dinner. ignorre him for the rest of the day...

best of luck, jenny

 

[chicksinthemachine]

I am new to all of this and am very confused, I do enjoy and take the advice that has been givin to me. I have done repairs on the chicken pen and also decided that my dog can only be in the fenced in front yard.(Which he cannot get out of!) I am not willing to give up just yet on raising my chickens and would like to continue to receive nice and informative answers and suggestions. Once again THANK-YOU ALL. And believe me a tighther leash on my family(includes my chickens) has already began in this household. I will let you know if I have anymore issues with him(the dog) but I seriously doubt I will. I don't want any more to die and yes I know they didn't ask for it and I feel terrible about it, and do not want it happening again. Not a good way to wake up and start the day.

 

[Solsken Farm]

There are a ton of nice people here and welcome! I didn't even notice your registration date.

I cannot find the thread that had a dog trainer post. He/she had some great thoughts. But there is some strong evidence that a shock collar done correctly can work. The fact that your mastiff is so tame with your children makes me think you can lick this.

I am sure you can fortify your run, even with hardware cloth, and work on the dog issue. Both are worth keeping in my estimate. We have had a rescue spaniel from the pound for 12 years. She bit my dh and I for the first year she was with us. She has been a challenge her whole life, but we love her, and she has made huge progress. I will never be able to let her near our chickens. Our other spaniel protects them.

Please research a good local trainer and look into the shock collar and get that run fixed.

I am so sorry for your losses.

 

[peruvian_princess]

No one here is trying to be cruel or un sympathetic but when she said if her dog doesnt change its behavior she was getting rid of the chickens well it seems as though she expected the dog to just decide not to eat the chickens. i am sorry but once the dog has the chance to get a chicken hen she is not around he will. I feel that rehoming the chickens is the only humane thing to do. What happens when the dog gets another chicken? I say rehome them.