labradoodle? can it harm my babies

[maddybp]

i am getting a labradoodle soon and i love to let them out to free range but i am worried that with is dog it can be harmful to my beloved chickens. is there anyway i can train it to not harm my chickens? if u have any ideas plz let me know because i would really appreciate it

 

[chicktwins]

If you are getting a puppy it should be fairly easy to socialize the two. It would be just like if you had a cat and you were bringing a dog or puppy home. You have them be around each other in very controlled situations. Let them sniff each other while you are holding either of them so if you sense that something is not right it is easy to remove one from the setting immediately. Just teach the puppy and the chicken that they have to respect each other's space and to be nice or be separated. You must also teach the puppy that having anything resembling something you wouldn't want it biting on or chewing, such as socks and underwear, chickens, cats, children, pillows, rugs, flesh of any kind, etc. in or near it's mouth. Also watch the chicken around your puppy's eyes and ears so no injuries occur that way. I think you will be fine, dogs and chickens can totally co exist happily and lovingly with one another!!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well to answer your question, yes a dog can absolutely harm your babies, all of them, in an amazingly short amount of time. And yes, some dogs can learn to get along. A whole lot more dogs cannot ever be trusted. Or they get along for a while and then in a moment when the owner isn't there/isn't watching the deed gets done. Maybe dog gets bored or just gets over stimulated by running, squawking chickens, who knows, take your pick. Just take a little time to read previous posts in the predator section here. Lot's of sad stories involving dogs and chickens. You will have to decide if you are willing to put your birds at risk, they are the ones who risk suffering an attack.

In all my years of chicken keeping I've had two dogs who were perfect with my chickens and now I have one who is pretty good, but I do not leave this one alone with them, ever.

A puppy in particular is not to be trusted with chicks/chickens. You will need to spend a LOT of time trainging the dog and that training will need to continue for a very long time. Do not ever leave them alone together. After your new dog is fully mature and consistently shows no sign of interest then maybe you will turn out a dog who is good with the chickens.

It really will boil down to the individual personality of the dog you bring home. There are representatives in every breed of dog who are good or bad with chickens. Not trying to be a downer here about mixing dogs and chickens, just trying to be realistic. Personally mine don't ever mix.

 

[yinepu]

I have a Great Pyrenees / Anatolian mix. Her job is to guard the mini equines. Since we have had a predator issue in an area of our property she can't get to, the free rangers have moved over to roost by her. She guards them now like they were part of her equine family. She did chase after them when she was a puppy, but that was several years ago and we taught her that they weren't toys. Just last night she chased off a fox who got too close to HER birds. I thought she was going to go through the fence after it. We are working on a new coop and run.. once it's complete the free rangers will have a place to stay and she will have an extended area to guard.

I have a Dachshund and a Labrador though who can't be trusted with the birds at all.. and an Australian Shepherd / Blue Heeler mix that helps me herd the birds when I need her to. She knows never to touch the birds. So our of those four dogs I have two I trust completely.. and two that I can't leave alone with a bird unattended.

 

[Dogfish]

Labradors and poodles are both hunting breeds. Train the dog properly and you may be okay. Don't just expect it to happen without effort.

Yup, that turkey poult is napping a foot away from my yellow lab, Cedar.

 

[Dogfish]

Labradors and poodles are both hunting breeds. Train the dog properly and you may be okay. Don't just expect it to happen without effort.

Yup, that turkey poult is napping a foot away from my yellow lab, Cedar.

 

[serendipity22]

my first Labradoodle was great with chickens,

My current Labradoodle thinks chicken tastes great... I can't break him. And believe me, I've tried.

Good Luck.

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
I was going to say the same thing.. one good point is labradoodles are extreamlly smart and trainable from both of their bloodlines.. you'll be happy with the dogs.. just don't trust fully till you know for sure and have him fully trained..

good luck
Pink

 

[skillswife]

Yep both hunting breeds but our lab does great around the chickens while I am around. If you are not going to be around to monitor the dog will it be inside or in a kennel? Honestly our little rat terrier mix shows the most interest in chasing the chickens, but I know with one snap my lab could kill one too. Don't feel discouraged, get the puppy but just be aware that supervision and training will be a must. And as a puppy it may be more apt to chasing the chickens and harming them out of play.

 

[Esmerelda]

We've got a goldendoodle. The neighbors have chickens that free range through the neighborhood. This dog loves to chase things, but it only took one time when he was young of us making it clear to him that the chickens are off limits. He sits on the porch and watches them wander around our lawn. We've taught him that he isn't allowed to touch things that we say are 'mine'. And he doesn't.

I'm sure there are some that are just as smart but still want to 'play' with the chickens, but I think there's a good chance if you start when it's young and never leave it unsupervised, it'll learn.