My dog is getting fat

[Rudys Flock]

This is pretty gross, but I need some suggestions. Our chickens have the run of our back yard about 1 1/2 acres. My dogs also run the back yard. Problem my dogs love to eat chicken poo. It doesn't seem to hurt them (doesn't help their breath) but they are both getting fat. I can't believe there is nutrition in this diet. Any suggestions on how to stop this behavior?

 

[Peaches Lee]

Getting them to not eat chicken poop? I guess monitor them when outside.

Getting fat? Take them for brisk walks and cut down their calories LOL!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

How much chicken poop are we talking about? lol

I would start by asking what kind of feed the dog is on? How much? What kind of dog? How much does he weigh? Any other snacks, treats, scraps? How much exercise is the dog getting?

They may just need more exercise.

If he is eating pounds of chicken poop you may need to separate them more often or at least keep the dog out of the main coop area where the worst of the mess is.

 

[Rudys Flock]

I feed them "4 Health" for mature dogs. High protein, They only get a treat in the evening after dinner. We walk daily and of course she (Jessie) runs and digs and chases squirrels all the time. Billy, is 12 so he doesn't do much but patrol the property twice a day. His hips and his heart are too bad for long walks.

I have cut back on their dry food to 1 cup a day (we are talking big dogs Goldens) and fill in with fresh vegetables that I steam for them. Green beans, squash, carrots, what ever I have that is fresh.

 

[Rudys Flock]

They don't hang around the coop much. Only when they follow me out to gather eggs. Then I can watch them. The rest of the day they are out roaming the yard, They just like the chicken snacks they find around the yard.

I may have to pen my chickens up again, but they sure seem to enjoy roaming free.