Keeping Chickens Free Range

[islandgirl82]

Great advice on the dog training. I'd just like to add a few things. I have a Newfoundland who has protected my flock from predators including crow without any formal training for that particular job. I'm also working on training our newly adopted 7yr old West Highland Terrier (bred for vermin hunting, including fox and badger) to help deter any predators that may be too quick for the big guy. Exercise her WELL to help her relieve all that energy before beginning any training sessions and having her sit and wait for her meals until you say "okay" will help you with getting her to focus. "Leave it" is another really important command in regards to everything you don't want her to have. A leash will be your best friend when introducing your dog to your birds, a quick tug and a "leave it" any time she shows any interest in the birds themselves and redirect her attention. When she does, praise her.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Great advice on the dog training.  I'd just like to add a few things.  I have a Newfoundland who has protected my flock from predators including crow without any formal training for that particular job.  I'm also working on training our newly adopted 7yr old West Highland Terrier (bred for vermin hunting, including fox and badger) to help deter any predators that may be too quick for the big guy.  Exercise her WELL to help her relieve all that energy before beginning any training sessions and having her sit and wait for her meals until you say "okay" will help you with getting her to focus. "Leave it" is another really important command in regards to everything you don't want her to have. A leash will be your best friend when introducing your dog to your birds, a quick tug and a "leave it" any time she shows any interest in the birds themselves and redirect her attention.  When she does, praise her.    

Quick question? What if you can't get her to take her attention off of them?

 

[Beekissed]

Quick question? What if you can't get her to take her attention off of them?

Be patient, don't get frustrated, keep trying different things until you find what gets her attention~could be food, could be a squeaky toy, could be the use of a leash tug or flank bump/poke(I've found this one works well for my younger dog, Ben). Ever watch Cesar Millan? He has some great ideas about redirecting a dog from unwanted behavior, even for dogs that have separation anxiety issues. All the things I've tried of his methods have worked.

 

[islandgirl82]

Quote:
Then she's not ready to be around them. Work with her first away from the birds, after you've exercised her. If she's food driven, use it to your advantage. Clicker training can be helpful. Westies are extremely prey driven. I give mine a treat every time he responds to the clicker. Now he associates the sound with something good and responds much faster to it. Once you can consistently get your dog's attention, THEN start introducing SLOWLY to your birds. Training a dog to be around poultry/livestock is a time consuming process that requires patience and diligence and staying calm. Rushing will only lead to trouble.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Be patient, don't get frustrated, keep trying different things until you find what gets her attention~could be food, could be a squeaky toy, could be the use of a leash tug or flank bump/poke(I've found this one works well for my younger dog, Ben).  Ever watch Cesar Millan?  He has some great ideas about redirecting a dog from unwanted behavior, even for dogs that have separation anxiety issues.  All the things I've tried of his methods have worked. 

Be patient, don't get frustrated, keep trying different things until you find what gets her attention~could be food, could be a squeaky toy, could be the use of a leash tug or flank bump/poke(I've found this one works well for my younger dog, Ben).  Ever watch Cesar Millan?  He has some great ideas about redirecting a dog from unwanted behavior, even for dogs that have separation anxiety issues.  All the things I've tried of his methods have worked. 

I love ceasar milan. We watch all his shows. He is an amazing behaviorist.. I'll try these suggestions..

   Then she's not ready to be around them.  Work with her first away from the birds, after you've exercised her.  If she's food driven, use it to your advantage. Clicker training can be helpful.  Westies are extremely prey driven.  I give mine a treat every time he responds to the clicker.  Now he associates the sound with something good and responds much faster to it. Once you can consistently get your dog's attention, THEN start introducing SLOWLY to your birds.  Training a dog to be around poultry/livestock is a time consuming process that requires patience and diligence and staying calm. Rushing will only lead to trouble.   

I don't know if she will be this way I haven't introduced her to the full grown hens yet. She has only seen the chicks in the dog crate where we brood them. She shows interest in the chicks but then gets bored quickly. I don't think this would be the case with my big girls so I just want to cover all my ground before I try any of this..

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Dogs cornered this last week....

EEP, EEK and HOLY COW! My daughter had a FIT when I sent her the Vid of the snake I found in the road, saying he could of still bitten me..
Course, sometimes, she thinks her old Ma is a sack of hammers, when it comes to IQ & a Twinkie when it comes to work.... LOL
I guess I've been lucky with my dogs. Chevy, Aussie/Dane mix, thought it was game when one of the roos was onry with him so he Happily trotted over to me with it in his mouth... Scolded him. When he nailed some new chicks, I hung them from his collar, for a while, no Problem since then. Dixie, doesn't seem interested in the chickens, BUT she's NOT happy when a scent she doesn't like. is on the property, nearest the chickens. IMHO, I think she wants to protect what, who has shown her love after her 1st year of abuse. Tummy rubs, hugs, playing with the face, grows loyalty? Tiny kitten brought home a few weeks ago she also seem Concerned about.
Will have Ultimate test on this theory since Cornish Rock is Obviously Brooding. RIR Rooster has made it his business to multiply, JUST like Ralph said......

 

[Tikkijane]

Quick question? What if you can't get her to take her attention off of them?

My one border collie is *always* watching the birds. Her herding instinct is off the wall {not a good running partner- she circles the cars that drive down the road, lol}. She often has the typical head down, ready to move stance. For the most part, they ignore her {she doesn't nip them, just circles when she's moving}. If I feel like she needs to move on, the 'leave them' or 'come' is enough to redirect.

 

[Tikkijane]

EEP, EEK and HOLY COW! My daughter had a FIT when I sent her the Vid of the snake I found in the road, saying he could of still bitten me..
      Course, sometimes, she thinks her old Ma is a sack of hammers, when it comes to IQ & a Twinkie when it comes to work.... LOL  
 I guess I've been lucky with my dogs. Chevy, Aussie/Dane mix, thought it was game when one of the roos was onry with him so he Happily trotted over to me with it in his mouth... Scolded him.  When he nailed some new chicks, I hung them from his collar, for a while, no Problem since then. Dixie, doesn't seem interested in the chickens, BUT she's NOT happy when a scent she doesn't like. is on the property, nearest the chickens. IMHO, I think she wants to protect what, who has shown her love after her 1st year of abuse. Tummy rubs, hugs, playing with the face, grows loyalty? Tiny kitten brought home a few weeks ago she also seem Concerned about.
  Will have Ultimate test on this theory since Cornish Rock is Obviously Brooding. RIR Rooster has made it his business to multiply, JUST like Ralph said...... 

Snakes are bizarre. Heads can still bite even if dead and/or not attached to the body. And once the head was completely off, the body was still slithering away for quite a while. I wanted the kids to bury the head so the birds couldn't possibly be exposed to the venom {they all love eating snakes, though} but they buried the whole thing anyhow. Oh well. But ya.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

My one border collie is *always* watching the birds. Her herding instinct is off the wall {not a good running partner- she circles the cars that drive down the road, lol}. She often has the typical head down, ready to move stance. For the most part, they ignore her {she doesn't nip them, just circles when she's moving}. If I feel like she needs to move on, the 'leave them' or 'come' is enough to redirect.

Ok thanks. LooKS like we have alot of training to get to lol

 

[duluthralphie]

Ok thanks. LooKS like we have alot of training to get to lol

It is not as hard as you think once you get into it. I use an electronic collar. As I have said here before, I think I have only had to use the shock on them once or twice. (on a low setting). I use the beeper on it all the time when training.

The colar simply makes my dogs stop and think. Even without the collar training never ends. You have to constantly remind them what is right and what is wrong. We always say "leave the birds alone" Or "no no" if they look at them wrong. They soon learn which birds are OK and which ones are intruders.

I know many here have heard/read me saying this before, my dogs never chase a chicken/turkey/guinea, but if a crow lands in the yard they are on it. They know who belongs and who does not.

We had a cockatiel fly into our coop the other day. We caught it and have tried to find an owner for it. No luck on that. Yesterday. we brought it into the house, the younger lab wanted the cockatiel. She needs to learn that bird belongs too. When I first took my shotgun and went hunting with them once I had chickens, I thought they might go nuts and chase them. They did not. They went nuts to go hunting, Chickens are not animals we hunt in their minds.

Your dogs will get it, just keep at it. There is nothing as good as a dog with the chickens to help keep predators away.





Below is NOT a dog, it is why I have dogs!













And just so you don't think my dog is perfect, we have a new problem we are working on, it is way harder than the bird chasing one to break...