Introducing chicks to dogs

[Campesina]

I really think after all is said and done it depends on the dog.
Some are mellow and some are not so mellow.
Others are mellow until the chicks get too close to his food dish and then....
Doesn't it really depend on the dog's temperment?

 

[thejohnsie]

I introduced my 7 yr old Rat Terrier immediately to the chicks when we got them. Everyday or so we would let the chicks down onto the ground with the dog leashed. He would try to pounce on them every few minutes but I would hold him back. I would say "Mine!" which is the command I use for things he shouldn't touch. After a couple of weeks, he began ignoring them. I slowly started letting him off leash around the chicks. They are now 10 weeks old and one of them jumped on top of him the other day and he actually ran away from it. He usually just lays in the yard, paying the chickens no attention. I agree with Campesina, it depends on the temperament. Even though my dog is a terrier, it is mellow.

 

[Mollysgirl]

Our lab who is 10 years old, never leaves the couch and could care less about the world around her, killed our first pullets. We put up an electric fence around the coop just for her benefit. She has been shocked about 10 times. Dumb dog!

However our Corgi's, who have a strong herding instinct, love a trip out to the coop when we let them free range. We told them "no" when they started to get that look in their eyes and they haven't thought about it twice since. I just love smart dogs!

Supervision is the key.

 

[caseybloo]

When my Border Collie was young she chased them and grabbed one, I let her know in no uncertain terms that that was not acceptable, no problems since. She will follow them, herd them, protect the hens from the roosters(which is funny as heck) and occasionally if the chicken is between where she is and where she is going she'll give a small chase just for giggles. Knock on wood, since having the dog I have had less problems with foxes, coyotes, raccoons and such but she's not much against hawks.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

When my Border Collie was young she chased them and grabbed one, I let her know in no uncertain terms that that was not acceptable, no problems since. She will follow them, herd them, protect the hens from the roosters(which is funny as heck) and occasionally if the chicken is between where she is and where she is going she'll give a small chase just for giggles. Knock on wood, since having the dog I have had less problems with foxes, coyotes, raccoons and such but she's not much against hawks.

Oscar has picked up a chicken at my moms and brought it to me. the chicken was scared but not injured. I told him "NO" and he has never touched another one of my moms chickens. Plus the rooster there figured out that Oscar is terrified of him. Usually if the dogs get close the rooster chases them off there.
Here my chicks are small, Mostly fuzzies. I'm just so worried about the chicks. If they get stepped on by a dog running it could kill them. I'm just torn because i lost 3 chicks to a cat. My dogs do great keeping cats and birds away.

 

[Joybells]

I'm getting a pair of hens this weekend and plan to introduce them to my 15 month old aussie. She was raised with chickens and goats up until 8 weeks old, when we got her. I've been meaning to socialize her further with livestock and poultry but we moved shortly after and haven't had the opportunity to see how she would react to other animals. She has her kennel, the chickens will have their run and I plan to keep a fence between them at all times when my dog is off leash.
I feel extra cautious because I've had a really bad experience with a dog who turned into a chicken killer. It developed a bunch of other nasty/mean behaviors and that was the only time I've ever been scared of a dog. Now something about the thought of dogs and feathers cause me to shudder.

Anyways, I'll keep you guys updated on how it goes. Wish me luck!

 

[maggs470]

I think introducing your dog to the chicks is highly dependent on whether your dog knows YOU are the Alpha to your pack.

I'm proud to say my dogs have not killed or harmed my chicks, but that's because I am making the extra effort to start introductions now, while the chicks are still young. Just like when I had each of my children, I let the dogs get familiar with the scent first. I did that for the first two weeks--and still am, but now they can see them from a distance too--and gave the dogs extra attention. The key is to let them know you are ADDING to the family/pack/flock and that they (the dogs) are still VERY important to the function of it.

Just like the pecking order, dogs need to know what their place is in the family/pack/flock. If the dogs feel like the chickens are taking their place, their first instinct will be to "meet the challenge"...doggie style! Unfortunately, right off the bat, they know they will win...and the chickens WILL lose. So you have to start slowly, for the sake of everyone.

Right now, the chicks are housed in an area behind the dogs' kennels. The dogs can hear & smell them, but can only see them from a distance when I (or another family member) am around.

Eventually, the plan will be to take the dogs for a run (or long walk) to expend most of her energies, then do a face-to-face (individually works best if you have more than one dog). Allowing the dogs to run/walk off most of their energies before the introductions will put them into a mellow mindset to greet the chicks. Next, I will introduce my calmest dog, Maui Lani, FIRST because she will be an "example" to Honey (our other dog)--I will let Honey observe from a distance. I WILL BE CALM. I WILL BE CONFIDENT. If I show any sign of anxiety my dog will pick up on it & react...badly. I will bring her--not the chicks to her, not her to the chicks hutch (that would be a HUGE and disastrous mistake)--to a place where everyone normally shares time together. I will have her lay down because this is a submissive position for her. This is neutral territory to her...not HER space, not the CHICKS space...EVERYONE'S space and she knows it.

At this point, I will nonchalantly bring the chicks in a cage--always watching my dog's reaction--or have someone else do so. The last thing I need is to be alone, carrying the panicking, flapping chicks and trying to play keep away with my dog!

As long as I remain calm and confident, the introductions should go smoothly. ***Oh! If you should sense some anxiety in your dog at ANY time, FIX YOURSELF FIRST before you abandon the introductions. More than likely, your shoulders have tensed up & your dog is picking up on it. Loosen up, head up...show calm confidence. She'll get back to that state of calm as soon as you are.

**Picture the calm state: Your dog is laying down with her head up, tongue hanging out, taking in the sights and sounds with a "I'm so happy, but tired" look on her face, and tail lazily wagging. GOOD SIGN!!

**Now, picture the alert/anxiety state: Your dog's ears perk up, eyes fixed on its target, her head is low (or she bobs it up and down trying to get a better scent/sight of her target), hair on her haunches standing up...more than likely, she's standing or sitting up at this point. BAD SIGN!!

Once the introduction of Maui Lani is done, I'll repeat the process with Honey. Since Honey is more active, I usually take her for a bike-run first. She's usually too tired to care what happens when she's done with that! LOL

I plan on repeating this process for the week or two, a few minutes each day, until the girls and chicks have accepted each other. I know my dogs, if they accepted my "just as nuts as starving monkey's in a banana patch" kids, they'll be just fine.

A good thing to note is how well you know your dog(s). I couldn't possibly do this with my neighbor's dog..he can barely poop in his own yard, let alone THIS! LOL

Good luck with introductions & I hope this helps. I've owned dogs since I was old enough to crawl out the front door and unlatch the kennel doors, so my experience with them spans more than 30 years. Although I'm a first time chickie momma, I'm an "old hand" at dogs. I'm Alpha, hear me bark "woof bok woof bok bok!"

 

[Joybells]

This is seems like sound advice, thanks! I feel confident about the introductions now, because I know my dog, and both of us know I'm the boss.

 

[marzullol]

I have been debating this question for a while. We have two dogs, the 2 year old Appenzell (not netured) and a 5 year old Chinese Crested PP (netured).

The Appenzell, is our happy sweet boy except when someone unfamilar come into the yard. The Crested is very territiorial and dominant. The crested is the one I am most concerned with introducing to the birds. We aquired 5 year old peafowl about a month ago, and have 31 two week old chicks. The crested has gone after the horses and has gotten kicked for his effort (6 pounds vs 1300 pounds = emergency vet visit) been head butted several times by the goats and still runs to the fence to tell them he is boss. He is well know at the vet's office.

We only let the dogs out to do their business and for some play time, and I would like to let the peafowl free range when they have settled into their new home. I think I will have to keep the crested on a leash everytime I need to let him out, that way if the peafowl are near the house he will not be able to go after them. He would make a tasty treat, the hawk goes for him on a regular basis. Chickens will not be free ranged due to the hawk. They will get time out of the pen, but only when we can stay with them.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

I had a tote inside this before so the dogs couldn't see the chicks. I didn't want to put them down in it before because it seemed to be a good playpen, then again it was given to me free from someone that stored it outside for a few years. Total cost of brooder playpen- Free screendoor screen, Free playpen, Old light I already had, Waterer$2, Feeder$8. My dogs being able to see but not touch the chicks, Priceless.


Not sure if you can see it but the top is completely covered with screen as well so the chicks cannot fly out. they are almost 2 weeks old and have decided that flying up to 3 ft high is easy. Nothing like going to the bathroom then coming out to only 1 chick left in the brooder and the rest pooping all over the carpet.