I need to vent. So Sad, Lost my chickens. UPDATE The last one is gone.

[Spookwriter]

Shoot Buddy over a chicken ? Never. Wouldn't even enter my mind.

I love my pets. And that includes the dogs. Nobody gets to hurt them.
Don't ever scold my dog...don't even think about it. This is HIS home

I imagine most of our dogs, including Buddy, are in the same boat. Not
high dollar dogs, but that isn't why we have them. Truth is, my dog Jake
was dropped off by some wonderful person. Him and his brother. Brother
didn't make it.

Nope, Jake isn't worth much. But he's my good best friend.

BECAUSE I like Jake so much, I built my chickens a safe place. Everything
in it's place.

Jake is neither chained nor caged. Never to be. He's there when I open the
door, or comes to when I whistle.

Have them both...chicken and dog.

But prepare each a place.

 

[chicken_china_mom]

I know how hard it can be when you have dogs and chickens. It's not always the best combination. I have a dog that I have had since she was a 3 month old puppy, and she is essentially a good dog, however, she has a kill instinct that is so strong that it has driven her to actually snatch birds out of midair and rip their throats out. She is half Chow Chow, and half Old English Sheepdog. It's the Chow in her that gives her that strong kill instinct. I knew it would be a challenge having her AND chickens, but I've managed it for the last year without losing any birds to her. My yard is not fenced, and my dog, her name is Maddie, she will run if she is not on a leash, so she absolutely HAS to be tied when let out. She has attacked my neighbor across the street's chickens through their wire, though she wasn't able to get any, all because she shot out the door when one of the kids was coming in. She won't come either when you call her, she listens for anything EXCEPT coming when she has escaped. She went after my birds once, but they were safely in their coop and she couldn't get to them. I do not trust her, and I would not let her around my birds. The intention is that we will create different sections within the yard, a dog section, and a chicken section. I have other dogs too, but the only one that I feel comfortable having around my chickens is my Mini Doxie, and that's because he is the lowest dog in the pack order, and he actually lets the chickens dominate him. But still, even he is NEVER allowed around the birds without constant supervision. We intend to put up electrical poultry fencing around the new coop we're getting, to keep out a number of predators, including my own dogs. I refuse to use an invisible fence with Maddie because I know that it would not work on her if she has her mind set to kill. Nothing short of a shot to the head would stop her, and that is why I am so careful. I wouldn't get rid of Maddie just because I have chickens. She was here for 5 years before the birds arrived, and she might very well outlive most of them. I understand your love for Buddy. I feel the same way about my dogs, I love them deeply, however, I do think that if you plan to get more birds, they should be put in an area of the yard that Buddy is not allowed access to. JRT's dig, and they WILL get in. I've seen dogs chew through wiring to get to their intended prey, so some hardwire cloth is not going to be enough to keep him out. It sounds like he needs some additional training, and boundaries established, for his sake and the sake of the chickens. The idea of a manually activated shock collar sounds like a good idea. I might even try that with my own dogs at some point. I know you like having your chickens, but they are innocent lives and don't come to you with the intention of dying a horrible, painful death. They expect you to protect them as well as feed and house them, and that includes protecting them from Buddy. Just please think about that before you get more chickens.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Sorry for your loss.
glad to hear you haven't given up on chickens, and have plans for a future flock.

 

[Spark]

I was shocked by some people saying they'd shoot their dog if it got at their chickens. In my opinion the dog is YOUR responsibility, and its your job to either a) Train it or b) Have your chickens in a secure run! You have no one to blame but yourself if your poultry is killed. Chicken-killing certainly doesn't make a dog "vicious" either. Dogs are predators - small, fast-moving critters are fair game to them. Just because they kill a chicken does NOT mean they'll turn on people next.

I own a pit bull/lab mix who gets along well with our chickens, but it took a lot of time and training like any other dog.

Have you considered clicker training/positive reinforcement with Buddy? That's what I did with Zoey (my dog) and it had great results. After a while of slowly introducing her to the chickens on leash, I'd gradually close the distance between them and click/treat for non-aggressive behavior. Likewise if he barks or snaps at them you could back up (or separate them for a couple minutes as a "time out") before trying again.

I’m really sorry for your loss. I don't mean to come off harsh, but the people who immediately decide killing their dog is the best course of action infuriate me to no end.

I can tell you really care about Buddy and your animals though!

 

[SmartyChick]

this is probably one of the saddest ting I have ever heard... I wouldn't shoot Buddy either. My little dog got out once and ate one of my chicks. We have never given him the opportunity again. It is so sad about your Dad not letting you get chicken til next year. I hope he changes his mind. If I were you I would be a wreck right now.

Hope everything works out for you...

Victoria

 

[ultasol]

There are some people that seem to be trying to connect a dogs willingness to kill a chicken to biting humans. Such is simply not the case. Just because a dog has prey drive does not mean they will harm a human.

I have a dog who would willingly kill any bird she could get, however, she is completely trustworthy in all other aspects. She is very obedient, she is great with kids, I can trust her with tiny puppies (I mean tiny as in weighing 1/2 a pound), and she has been gentle with the litters of kittens I have fostered. She has her canine good citizenship and is a joy to have, however, birds make her act differently. This is why I have a fenced yard for my dog- for not only would she gladly kill my birds, she would gladly kill neighbor's birds as well. Hence for her safety and my peace of mind she is an indoor dog with access to a fenced yard when I am home, and my birds are elsewhere.

Chickens run, she chases and grabs. That simple. They are carnivores, after all.

 

[poultryfan73]

Quote:
I agree dogs should never be with poultry. I had a female german short haired pointer. She killed 3 of my birds and my mom made me decide chickens or your dog. I decided my chickens! My mom thought i was crazy but i didnt care

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

Quote:
It's all part of the plan. We need time to work out an order, fix the coop, find someone to split the order with, etc,..