My Dog broke into Henhouse to sleep with the Chicks... need advice!

[terri9630]

My mastiffs guard our coop. They have killed 3 cats, a hawk and a skunk (ohhhh so smelly) who were to close or trying to get into our coop. They caught one of the cats with it's leg in the coop trying to grab a hen, who was to curious/stupid to stay out of the cats reach. I have pictures of one of them guarding the a cage with our latest batch of broilers in it. I still have 3 of those broilers and one always sleeps with it's head or legs out of the cage and they just sniff it and move on to check the other animals. They "play" with the horses and guard the rabbits and chickens.

 

[kenora44]

I think I have the most gentlest and non threatning dog, I own a daycare and she is around many kids who poke at her and love her. SHe loves them too. My dog seemed to take on the mother role to the chicks but she also licks her chops when they come near her. I never leave the dog alone with the chicks or the kids. I dont think you should ever trust a dog 100 percent. They may not intentionally kill a chicken but if they want to play it could be just as harming.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I'd trust her; she had time/opportunity to eat them if she was ever going to. In fact, I'd go out right now and arrange some way for her to be with the chickens. I'm betting you have a chicken guard dog there. I introduced my first chicks right out of the incubator to my two corgis, and they understood right off that they were not to harm MY chickens. They have never bothered any of the chickens in any way, good or bad.

 

[colowyo0809]

I'd trust her; she had time/opportunity to eat them if she was ever going to. In fact, I'd go out right now and arrange some way for her to be with the chickens. I'm betting you have a chicken guard dog there. I introduced my first chicks right out of the incubator to my two corgis, and they understood right off that they were not to harm MY chickens. They have never bothered any of the chickens in any way, good or bad.

We introduced our corgi to the chicks several times, and each time he will walk towards them, and then slowly back away almost as if he's afraid of them. When they were younger I held one in my hands at his level and he got up the courage to walk over and sniff it, and then walked away and stood looking at me waiting for me to put the chick back

He also brought me a live vole the other day, so I'm pretty sure the birds are going to be ok around him. Now the terrier that belongs to my partner's grandmother, no way. He has gone to the neighbors twice now and terrorized their free rangers. We are just lucky he hasn't killed any yet. So, I would say (based on my very limited experience) that your dog will be fine, just keep exposing them to each other.

 

[kenora44]

Okay so I am thinking I am totally wrong about dogs and chickens. I have been proven wrong by my pet. I truly think she believes she is the mother.....WOW would have never believed dogs could safely be trusted unless I saw it with my own eyes.