miniature schnauzer kills chickens

[chickencrazy3]

have a 2 year old miniature schnauzer that is fascinated with my chickens! My other schnauzer really could care less about them.I accidentally left a few out free ranging and let the dogs out to potty. Within 20 min. He had killed another one of my large barred rock hens. :-( I am flustered with this dog. He is pretty small and sweet as ever, as long as your not a chicken! Any advice on training the dog to co exist with my chickens!??

 

[foreverlearning]

I trained mine when the girls were chicks so I don't know if my trick will work for you. I had 6 chicks in a 2'x4' open top run, placed a collar on the dog and put her in the other end of the run. (Mine is a trained bird hunter from before I had chickens.) As the chicks would get closer to her I would hold her collar and pop her on the nose lightly with one finger if she looked like she was going to bite. I did this every time she was allowed to go out. After about 5 minutes I would pull her out of the run and let her run the yard for a few minutes. I did this for a week and after she would run to the run and watch over them. My girls are full grown now and my dog watches over them while they free range. Now if I have one that didn't make it to the coop at night she runs over to it, sits down, and barks.

 

[KyleG]

We had the same problem with our miniature dachshund, he ended up killing a golden comet chick. It was a complete surprise, because he is he most lovable dog. constant diligence is necessary to train them, and even after you must always be watchful. expose the dog to the chickens one on one with you clearly showing dominance. keep the meetings short. continue doing this until you are comfortable.WARNING: this may take a long time, especially after losing one of your girls to him. It has been months and we are always careful. Good luck.

 

[chickencrazy3]

Thank you, going to give it a try ;-)

 

[Bunnett]

Sorry to say you can not train him to be good with chickens. It’s part of their DNA unfortunately. My schnauzer is the same.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Schnauzers and dachshunds (@KyleG) were originally bred to hunt and kill rats. Like stated above, it is in their DNA. I think you can train not to attack unless on command as well as train them to listen to your commands, but I don't think I would trust them to be out with the chickens alone.
I had a schnauzer mix who would be focused on mice holes in the yard. He caught mice and moles when we let him out. His focus was so high on finding the prey he was not good at listening to us.