Minnesota!

[bobbi-j]

BTC - I read that post, too. Not having been there, it's hard to say what happened. Did they see the dog kill the chicken? Could something else have killed the chickens and the dog picked one up? So many variables... I can only speak for my dog who has never been a problem with the chickens. We got him at 8 weeks old. I had baby chicks at the time. When we brought him home, the first thing I did was take him to the coop, showed him a baby chick and when he tried to sniff or mouth the little squeaky toy, he was firmly told NO. Any time I'd see too much interest in the chickens, that's all I would have to do. I know - I had it easy with him. We each have to do what's comfortable in our own situation. Some are so quick to blame the dog when it's really the owners who don't bother to work with the dogs that are the problem. People get chickens and think that the dog will happily start guarding and living in peace and harmony with them the instant they bring the birds home. Sorry, folks, it doesn't quite work that way. To many dogs, chickens are just a self-propelled, flapping, feather-covered squeaky toy. They need consistent training that continues until the owner is satisfied that the dog is trustworthy. Some people never get to that point with their dogs, others do. OK, rant over. Stay warm up there! I have the day off today because of the cold. I work at a school and it was cancelled due to the windchill. The air temp is supposed to be -22 tonight, so I'm guessing we'll be at least 2 hours late tomorrow, too.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Yep it's going to be another bugger tonight. I put a squash in the oven today that I've had on my counter from the garden since this fall. (those squashes amaze me how they keep) any how took out half to the chickens warm at lunch time and they loved it. Spoiled babies. I suspect we might be two hours late for school bus too. Looks like Friday will be chilly too. Relief appears to be coming about mid day Saturday here.

Yeah...you never know what happens when people tell their stories for sure. Sometimes things are painted a little different. Heartbreaking though to see a dog you love do that to chickens that you care about though. Your approach wasthe same approach with Jasmine. Only this spring we got the chicks and she was 5 years old. She was birdie on them in the garage in their brooder right away and we had to get control of her with the leash. We mostly worked with her (and a leash--and she hates leashes BTW) all summer long with "NOOOO!" when the birds were feathered. Kept the energy calm, used calm hens (when the birds were pretty much grown). We had to teach our kids not to use excited voices, Like, "LOOK AT the NICE CHICKEN, JASMINE" you know happy but all excited. Her tail would wag and she'd lick her lips. ugh. hard to do with kids. So had to train the kids too. LOL. She was in the house alot or in her kennel while the chickens free ranged. But now we got a bit of both worlds and I'm tickled. Thank goodness.

 

[bobbi-j]

I think the age of the dog makes a huge difference in training. I realize breed makes a difference, too, but I think it's easier when you can start a puppy out right away regardless of the breed. Good bird dogs are different than terriers who were (from what I've heard, anyway) bred to kill rodents and other small animals. Bird dogs are supposed to retrieve with a soft mouth rather than kill. It seems from what I've observed on here that terriers are very hard to train to leave the chickens alone. I'm glad that Jasmine has gotten so you can feel comfortable about having her with the chickens sometimes. It's very helpful when you don't have to try to keep them all separated all the time.

School is 2 hours late again tomorrow. I'm OK with that!

 

[coldupnorth]

I think the age of the dog makes a huge difference in training. I realize breed makes a difference, too, but I think it's easier when you can start a puppy out right away regardless of the breed. Good bird dogs are different than terriers who were (from what I've heard, anyway) bred to kill rodents and other small animals. Bird dogs are supposed to retrieve with a soft mouth rather than kill. It seems from what I've observed on here that terriers are very hard to train to leave the chickens alone. I'm glad that Jasmine has gotten so you can feel comfortable about having her with the chickens sometimes. It's very helpful when you don't have to try to keep them all separated all the time.

School is 2 hours late again tomorrow. I'm OK with that!

I think alot of times bird dogs can be trained quite well to leave chickens alone. My experience is, if the bird is already dead and they found it, it is a whole different story. They are then using their instincts to retreive. Bird dogs instincts are not neccesarilly to kill, but to point, flush or retreive. Each dog is different, of course and I think you are right about the age of the dog in training and how consistant an owner is with the dog.

 

[Triplell]

I too have a lab and in the spring I just have to remind him that the chickens are off limits. Now the water fowl is another story, I have had to use a shock collar to stop him from chasing them. He is now 5 and we shall see what the spring brings. Yet when it comes to chicks or ducklings he gathers each one with is mouth and curls up in a ball to pertect them. I never was able to take a picture of it but maybe tis spring.

 

[silkielover5]

Looking for spangled Cornish bantams, white naked neck bantams, and WHITE COCHIN BANTAMS eggs/birds for 4H please PM me if you have anything. I live on the mn wi border and looking for something within 2 hrs of Stillwater

 

[cochins1088]

A Minnesota thread??!! Why am I just seeing this now? I'd love to join in.

 

[Triplell]

Welcome, So were are you located in this wonderful frozen state?

 

[coldupnorth]

A Minnesota thread??!! Why am I just seeing this now? I'd love to join in.

How are your chickies doing from Ideal? The pictures from the NYD hatch-along show that you got quite an array of colors. Yay!

 

[cochins1088]

How are your chickies doing from Ideal? The pictures from the NYD hatch-along show that you got quite an array of colors. Yay!

They are doing great! I didn't lose a single one which is pretty impressive considering these temperatures. Ideal included an wide assotment of colors such as partridge, blue, white, silver laced, barred, black, birchen, red, buff, and a few others. I was very happy with that order of chicks and I'm temped to put in another order for some ducklings, especially since it's supposd to be warmer this week.

Welcome, So were are you located in this wonderful frozen state?

About 50 minutes south of the cities in the small town of Montgomery.