my dog just killed all of my chickens

[luluash]

thank you all for the great comments and tips you left me. I still feel extremely sad, but i do feel better about it all. I will be using all of your techniques when i try again in a while.

 

[ProfCraig]

Though dogs and cats have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still retain their instincts as predators. And the majority of them, given the chance will revert to their prey instinct and attack and kill small animals that run from them. It's not the dog's fault; he is just acting on instinct. Training is important, as has been suggested, but even the best trained dog may attack baby chicks and other species when their owner's back is turned. The best preventative is to never, ever let a dog or cat have an opportunity to reach the chicks. Training will help to reinforce that chickens are off limits. Know where the dog is; keep him on a leash; snap the leash if he gets too interested in the chickens (I know, some people will not tolerate suggesting negative reinforcement--do whatever works for you); positive reinforcement--when he fixates on the chicks or chickens, divert his attention and give him a treat--continue to give treats whenever he ignores the chickens, until eventually, hopefully, the chickens become a part of the background and don't attract his attention. But even then, know where the dog is and don't turn your back. I am sorry for the loss of your chickens. I didn't think that I would find raising chickens to be that interesting, but I was wrong--they are very interesting, amusing, and rewarding. You should definitely try again.

 

[teafreak35]

From what I've seen of dogs, once they have successfully killed a chicken...especially if they've tasted the blood...they will see them as easy prey from then on. I've often been told that once a dog gets the blood in his mouth, there's no changing him.

Having said that, I will tell you this...though it may sound inhumane. As a teenager, I remember our dog catching and killing a chicken. When my dad found out, he held the dog down and literally beat him with the chicken. I'm not sure how much a dead chicken could hurt a dog, but I will say that the dog NEVER even looked at a chicken again. He stayed away from them like they had the plague. Not condoning it, just pointing out that it worked.

I live in a state where if a poultry owner catches a dog trying to kill his chickens he's within his rights to use deadly force to stop the attack without fear of repercussions. While I would hate to kill someone else's pet, my chickens are just as much my pets and a part of our family. In my mind, they are just as valuable as someone else's dog...though I know those who don't own chickens may not see it that way.

I'm definitely not saying to kill your dog...please don't hear that. Just sharing some experience in hopes that it will help.

 

[excellentwife]

So sorry about your loss.

We are brand new chicken owners. A friend surprised us with 6 chicks just before Easter for a coop that we acquired in January. We kept them inside in a crate & introduced our two black labs to them slowly. Using the word "chickies" we taught the dogs who the baby chicks were by letting them sniff the chickens through the crate. Eventually we'd let them sniff them outside the crate while my husband held the dogs and I held the chickens. It didn't take long, but the dogs now protect the chickens from hawks and other predators while they free range in the yard. Our chickens can walk up to and even right on top of the dogs.

We use both positive and negative reinforcements with our dogs. They are extremely obedient, loyal, and loving.

I don't recommend leaving dogs alone with the chickens for everyone. As ProfCraig mentioned above, dogs are predators. Instincts are not likely guaranteed to be overcome.

Though I know much more about dogs than chickens, I do know that I am pleasantly surprised how much I like our "girls." I hope that you give it another shot when you're ready!

 

[khoe]

I am extremely upset. My mom and I just went out to check on the chicks the last time for the night before bed and they were all dead inside their little home. somehow my dog found a way in the room and around all of the precautions we set up. he must have broken the chicken wire set up we had so nothing could get in (and they couldn't jump out). I feel so terrible. They must have been terrified. I'm not sure what to do now ): I feel a bit defeated after spending all that time and energy on those little babies just for them to die in 2 minutes. I feel like a bad mommy. I'm not sure what to do about my dog. I'm just a mess. 

I need suggestions. My mom wants to get more chicks but I will not do it if my dog will kill them. That would not be fair to those poor chicks to even chance it. 

I didn't read through all the posts, but wanted to give my advice. First of all, from what I've read, chicken wire is to keep chickens in, not to keep predators out. For keeping predators out you need hardware cloth. Also, a friend of mine had her two dos kill a chicken. Her husband tied the dead chicken to each dogs collar for one entire night. She says the dos both will not so much as even look at the chickens now. I am not sure if this is tried and true by more or what, just what I was told. I'm sorry for yor losses, good luck if you try again!!