Help!! my Hens keep attacking my dogs! how do I stop this??

[4GingerHens]

Hi all I have 4 Gingernut Ranger Hens. They will be a year old in a couple of weeks. I have had them since they were about 18 weeks old. I have two 3 yr old Beagle dogs and 3 cats. All had been well with all the animals living in harmony and getting on nicely, until recently. I dont know why, but now my Hens have started attacking the dogs!! The dogs don't seem to be doing anything to cause this, they are just walking past or sniffing around. Lucking the dogs haven't really retaliated when attacked, they will growl and bark at the Hen (the hens do not back down!!) but that's about it i usually have to go and rescue the dog! I'm worried that one day they get fed up of it and will just attack back. They use to get on so well....The only thing that has change in the garden is that I now feed the wild birds so we now get a lot of bird in our garden and there is bird feed down on the ground. could this be causing the Hens to be possessive over the garden?? Any suggestion on how i can get the Hens to love the dogs again??

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined our "flock!"

Unfortunately, I don't have experience with dogs and chickens. Hopefully, other members who can help will come along.

Good luck with your chickens and dogs!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Hens can still be possessive over their territory and space. My only experience of a chicken attacking my dog was when someone gave me a young black orpington and said it was female. First few weeks were ok with the dog but then she started attacking the dog. For the birds safety I rehomed it with some friends. It turned out to be a roo!!

Good luck with your hens and dogs I'm sure more greeters will be along to help you with this.

Enjoy BYC

 

[4GingerHens]

Thanks you for the wishes of good luck

 

[4GingerHens]

Thanks, If it doesn't stop I will just have to put the hens in their run when the dogs are out.

 

[chic n little]

I had 26 ISA browns a couple years ago and they loved to play with my 2 dogs, they all got along great until 2 things happened a 2 different times of the year. One was when my hens started moulting they got very cranky and didn't want to "play" anymore, the other was when I had 2 hens get "broody" on me and as a result got very protective. It was at these times I had to seperate the dogs from the girls, but it always passed. It may be that one of these could be happening with your flock!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined our community.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[4GingerHens]

thanks glad to be here

 

[4GingerHens]

Thank you for the advice. I haven't noticed any molting or brooding how often do they molt? mine haven't molted at all since I have had them and the will be a year old this month. These are the first Hens I have ever had so I am learning things along the way.

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