how do i tame a purebred chicken chaser

[Chickenrandomness]

My Australian shepherd loves chasing the chickens, a little too much. today i went to go take a photo-shoot of the chickens, the puppies were out side (both about 4.5 months old), the chickens were outside of their coop. my brother's blue heeler met me at the door when i first when out. i started walking to the barn. all of a sudden i hear the screams of chickens, not like any scream i have heard of before out of my chickens. i start to run toward the barn, 30ft from the barn, one of my roosters, Nate, flys out of the barn and lands on an old building right beside the barn (he doesn't fly much, so that rwally scared me!) followed by Nikki, my aussie. i yelled at the top of my lungs at that pup, i have yelled at her, hit her, and chased her time and time again about chasing the chickens. she has never just plain went wacko on the chickens before like today. i went inside the barn, and thankfully, everyone was fine, they were all in a high place though. the thing that got me though, is that right after i yell at her for chasing Nate, when i got back into the barn, she came in after me and started chasing Tanaga and Sarah (they both got down before she came in) that is what got me really mad. no i didn't beat the tabbasco juice out of her (i wanted to though), but i did let her know not the ever chase the chickens like that again in a less survear way.

what do i do? i just can't let the chickens stay in the barn forever, they will pluck themselves to death! my parents won't let me get any more fowl to protect the flock! i think i need geese, i got chased by an Embden goose before, if they can chase me, they can chase a dog.

i'm really scared i will lose more chickens to dogs, i have lost a chicken to a dog only a few months ago, it isn't a pretty sight.

please help!

 

[windtryst]

IMO you have to keep the dogs on a leash until they learn the chickens are "yours" this could take 3 months or more...every day 2x a day when you go to the coop to do your chores. They must sit, behave, and not look at the chickens like they are dinner, they must focus on you. if you give the chicks say cheese for a treat, your dog must hold their stay, and not go after the food.
It takes work and time but it worked for me! Good luck!!

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

Quote:
You have dogs that have a very high prey drive. I have not had much luck bringing the prey drive down on a dog. I'm sure certain trainers could do it or will tell you it can be done. It would take extreme hard consistant work for all involved and when there are several in a family that is very difficult.

I don't have an answer that you will like but it is a response to your problem.I don't see how the chickens and dogs can be loose together.IMO the dogs will need to be confined when the chickens are out and vice versa.


Wish I had magic for you.I know its hard.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

my dad says she'll mature up, but i'm not so sure...

 

[gryeyes]

Yes, she will "Mature up" but YOU have to train her during that time. Train her the chickens are NOT prey. Keep her on a leash at all times when you are out with chickens with her. And do that at least twice a day. Correction every time she lunges for a chicken.

You MUST be hyper-vigilant. And it is going to take time and lots of effort. You may never be able to leave her un-supervised with the chickens.