Help, our Border Collie is killing Chickens, is there hope or off to a new chickenless home?

[aart]

Wonders how you introduced the dogs when you got the chickens.
Did you do any specific training with them in regards to poultry?
Are your dogs actively herding/working with/guarding other livestock?

Try posting over at http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/guard-animals/
Some great dog trainers over there that also have experience with poultry.

 

[dekel18042]

Wonders how you introduced the dogs when you got the chickens.
Did you do any specific training with them in regards to poultry?
Are your dogs actively herding/working with/guarding other livestock?

Try posting over at http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/guard-animals/
Some great dog trainers over there that also have experience with poultry.

Got the peeps as day olds and they were in the brooder so the dogs got used to them. When the pup came or the other younger dog left the birds in the runs till the dog got used to them. Other than the Siberian husky never had a problem with dogs and poultry.

 

[aart]

Quote: Actually I was asking the OP @kmadams .

 

[kmadams]

We got these chickens as adults. Kept them in a run until the dogs were used to them and ignored them. This particular fellow has recently started bothering them. He is not trained to herd. Was hoping to start getting him into agility, but it's been just basic training and a few tricks up until now. He normally minds very well and is very easy going. Just don't know if he can be trained out of this, or if he's just not going to be able to be around the chickens. I would also have to say that I was not real happy when his pedigree arrived, there were a lot of consecutive registration numbers in his lineage. Not sure if that's bad record keeping or possibly some line breeding or in breeding. I know the breeder waited until she placed all available pups from two litters and they were named, before sending for registration so could just be a record keeping issue. This issue does make me wonder if it's a problem in his breeding though. I don't have any issues like this with my other Border Collie, and she was a rescue so you would think it should be the other way around!

 

[cavemanrich]

. I don't have any issues like this with my other Border Collie, and she was a rescue so you would think it should be the other way around!

Rescue only means a dog .... possibly lost, abandoned, orphaned, unwanted because of restrictions. AND NOW FOUND IN A GOOD HOME.

 

[centrarchid]

We got these chickens as adults. Kept them in a run until the dogs were used to them and ignored them. This particular fellow has recently started bothering them. He is not trained to herd. Was hoping to start getting him into agility, but it's been just basic training and a few tricks up until now. He normally minds very well and is very easy going. Just don't know if he can be trained out of this, or if he's just not going to be able to be around the chickens. I would also have to say that I was not real happy when his pedigree arrived, there were a lot of consecutive registration numbers in his lineage. Not sure if that's bad record keeping or possibly some line breeding or in breeding. I know the breeder waited until she placed all available pups from two litters and they were named, before sending for registration so could just be a record keeping issue. This issue does make me wonder if it's a problem in his breeding though. I don't have any issues like this with my other Border Collie, and she was a rescue so you would think it should be the other way around!

Breeding not that important with your efforts around chickens. Adjust your training approach to accommodate this dog in this situation.

 

[aart]

Quote: Was thinking the same thing.....he needs different and/or more training.
Best of Luck with him.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I would rehome him, as anyone who considers rehoming a dog for killing chickens when the dog has not been watched or trained to leave the chickens alone will not have the patience to train the dog or keep the chickens & dog separated. My chickens would go way before my dog would in any situation. JMHO

 

[hellbender]

I would rehome him, as anyone who considers rehoming a dog for killing chickens when the dog has not been watched or trained to leave the chickens alone will not have the patience to train the dog or keep the chickens & dog separated. My chickens would go way before my dog would in any situation. JMHO

Agreed. The best for all concerned, especially the dog and mostly any future birds you may acquire, get rid, eliminate, re-home (use your term) the chicken killing dog.

Certainly he can be trained to not kill chickens in your presence but there will always be that fear in the back of your mind that 'rover' is liable to re-offend. And he will.

Life is just too short.

 

[Mutt Farm]

We got these chickens as adults. Kept them in a run until the dogs were used to them and ignored them. This particular fellow has recently started bothering them. He is not trained to herd. Was hoping to start getting him into agility, but it's been just basic training and a few tricks up until now. He normally minds very well and is very easy going. Just don't know if he can be trained out of this, or if he's just not going to be able to be around the chickens. I would also have to say that I was not real happy when his pedigree arrived, there were a lot of consecutive registration numbers in his lineage. Not sure if that's bad record keeping or possibly some line breeding or in breeding. I know the breeder waited until she placed all available pups from two litters and they were named, before sending for registration so could just be a record keeping issue. This issue does make me wonder if it's a problem in his breeding though. I don't have any issues like this with my other Border Collie, and she was a rescue so you would think it should be the other way around!

This is a great thread with lots of very sound training protocols. It's not telling you what to do, It's folks sharing what worked for them, what breeds, what ages, etc. I hope it will help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/732029/how-did-you-train-your-dog-to-leave-chickens-alone