Living with the predator.......

[Tala]

Well I'm sure you could use an electric fence to prevent the dogs from constantly trying to get into your coop -- if it's necessary. You might consider one for protection against regular wild predators anyway.

My second dog is a duck-hunted Lab, but he never even showed any particular attention to the chickens. I was surprised actually. SO you never know. I guess one of the roosters got after him once though (I didn't see it happen) because when he has to pass beside ole rooster in the yard he gives him a wide berth.

I try to keep them seperated when I'm not home, because I KNOW the dogs KNOW if I'm watching or not.

 

[rino081]

teach1rusl, Thats great advise. I would lean more towards that approach. If anything I will at least get a feel for there mentality towards the chickens so I will no where we stand sort of speak.

Tala, You hit the nail on the head. Both my dogs are ANGELS when they know i'm watching. When i'm not it's a whole nuther story. There not bad by any means, They have pretty strict rules around here and listen well but they won't hesitate to break the small rules when i'm not looking. The pointers favorite think to do is check the sink for dishes to lick. He'll never do it if i'm present but as soon i go up stairs I can hear his paws hit the counter top....So frustrating.

Neither one has shown prey drive. They both have gnarly Food drives though and they are both puppies so they are very playful at times.

great info, keep it coming fellow BYC'ers

any personal experience would be great to hear about.

 

[Celeste]

I am a bully breed owner and would say it all depends on the dogs reaction. My APBT Roxy has a super high prey drive but she hasn't ever gone after my chickens. Anytime I get chicks, they drive her nuts in the brooder with their chirping but she knows the rules. I free range my chickens and often take the dogs out to run around in the same area. Could she kill them? Yes, as could anything with teeth. Would I lock her in a pen with them.....NO! I have multiple dogs and have fostered many who are all taken and exposed to everything around my property. I have never lost a chicken to a dog.

Introduce them slowly and make sure your dogs know the chicks and chickens are not for them. You know your dogs, pay attention to the cues your dogs give you and go from there. While the breed of dog can influence a reaction to different situations, the largest influence is the specific dog and the specific owner. Good luck and I have to say your "bully breed" is gorgeous!

 

[sourland]

Your dogs are in beautiful condition-gorgeous sheen to their coats. That being said I would never leave them alone with the chicks just as you should never leave dogs alone with a small child. Consistent training and supervision may forestall any problems. The short hair is genetically programmd to be "birdy". If she is show bred, it may not be as much of a problem, but if she is field bred, the problem may be insurmountable. If their prey drive can not be controlled, electric fencing around the coop or invisible fencing will solve the problem. Good luck, geo.

 

[kota1369]

You have a pitbull and a pointer.......... one a bird dog and another a terrior. But, the terrior is a great family dog when raised properly and yours from first glance both dogs look pretty relaxed. Your getting chicks. Your getting babies. Raise them in your living room and teach the dogs they are babies........ and they can look, but can not "target" the baby. You may want to work with one dog at a time, do what is most affective. What is their level of training and how much do the "really" listen to you? How do they act around other animals? Look at how they are now and think about what you need to do to make it work.
I used to have a pitbull who would let the mice I fed my snakes crawl all over him. He thought he was real cool with all those little guy friends.
I have four dogs...... and 4 chickens. All dogs, but one were adults when I got the chickens. I have one extremely high "obsessive rottweiler" and she has after a year just started being off leash with the chickens. She is doing great.
Its easy for some to look at your one dog and feel like she is unsafe. I look at her and think of her as a big ole pitbull with a big smile and two chickens on her back and a couple other hanging out eating grass in the yard. I do not see the "sterio type"
The key is to teach your dog that the chickens are your pets......... period and part of the family or pack. It is not much different then bringing a toy poodle into the picture......... they look like food to. And can be way more irritating.
I see no reason to seperate a group, family or pack.......... whatever you want to call it. You will all co-exist in the same emediate area and I say make it work and start out right. Yes, its a work in progress............ but I love it when I can let my 4 girls out with one or more of my dogs and know they will let me know if there is a dog, cat, human, ground hog or hawk out and about........... and it gives me a chance to get outside and take care of the ladies.
I wish you luck and do not at all want to discourage you. Your pets can all be at peace together and be friends.

The lady with 4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 2 bunnies and soon to be more, and a lizard

These are my two "Pretty Boy Chicken Guards" I would not be afraid to go shopping and leave them all out together.

 

[OccamsTazer]

Well your dogs are adorable! Especially love the pibble, I have a major soft spot for those guys.
I think all the advice so far is right on.
I have four dogs. Two can be loose with the chickens. One would chase them. The last one would kill them down to the last bird.
It's a very individual thing.

 

[orbirdman]

Raise the chicks around the dogs. Watch the bird dog carefully.
I have 2 APBT's, 2 cats, 4 chickens, 2 children, and one lizard. The dogs get chased into their kennels by the cats, the cats get chased by the chickens, the nearly 3 year old chases them all. I am the top of the food chain for all the animals in my care. They look to me for guidance and food. The birds are currently allowed to free range and interact with all household animals, they will soon have their own run. I have yet to deal with chicken eating cat or dog, although the bearded dragon has been licking his lips.

 

[horsejody]

My dog gets along with the chickens, but he is an exception. He was raised around them. He is also a guarding breed with a low prey drive. Herders try to chase them. Hounds hunt them. Retrievers grab them. Guard dogs lay there and watch them. No matter what the breed, it depends on the individual and socialization with birds. Personally, I wouldn't risk hoping that they get along.

 

[rino081]

lots of great advice, thanks guys. I'm getting more excited about seeing how this whole thing plays out. You guys are a big confidence builder. MY dogs are great, and I know dogs well as I have been around them my whole life. The chickens are the variable here that I am unfamiliar with. I'm sure it won't be long before I know chickens since they set for arrival this Friday

. I definitely know which direction I wanna take this and will start forming a game plan, always pays to be prepared!

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I have 4 dogs. Two who I can trust. Two I can't. I know I can't because the two of them went on a chicken killing spree and killed 77 chickens and guineas last year.

My Great Py I can trust if I'm outside or not. My German Shepherd I can trust whether I'm outside or not.

My Husky and Border Collie, I can't. Doesn't matter if I'm right there. Their prey drive is so strong.

Laurie