My dog killed my 7 week old Barred Rock. 😞

[CottageMamaof3]

Yesterday my German Shepherd ran out and crunched down on one of my 7 week old chicks. This was the second day of them outside in their chicken coop. I bought 5 chicks and prepared myself the best I could that a few would not survive. My sweet Barred Rock!

I've been a city girl turned country by desire but my question out here in chicken world is how do you handle death on the "farm"? I feel so inequipt. I have a newfound respect for the life of a farmer. I feel so pathetic and helpless that the loss of 1 (just ONE) could shake me up this way. It makes me wonder if I am cut out for raising chickens.

 

[HappyClucker7]

German shepherds have high prey drives. Keep him away from your chickens at all times. Teach him the "leave it" command too.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome, and I'm so sorry for your loss.
He's being a dog, who hasn't yet been trained to leave your birds alone. This takes time and effort on your part, with the chickens in their safe coop and run, and your dog on leash, learning to ignore those birds. It can take months, or longer; obedience training, the 'leave it' command, and praise for ignoring the birds, with corrections for not ignoring them. Time and training, and keeping them apart until he's actually safe with them.
Mary

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I have a dog. She is 9 human years old. She is generally kind towards all animals- even the chickens- she only chases them (harmlessly) if she gets jealous).

Maybe your dog was jealous- were you spending lots of tine with the chicks and not him?
I don't really know how to help. Sorry for your loss

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Whenever my dog barks at the chickens, we spray her with a water spray bottle. It makes them learn to ignore them. And it isn't mean to her

 

[Michelle_Mel]

I’m so sorry for your loss As a new chicken owner, last fall I lost my 5 month old barred rock hen to a hawk only 4 days into having her. I too was so distraught and disappointed in myself and thought, I’m not cut out for this. It’s never easy to deal with a loss, only time heals. I now have baby chicks in the brooder You can do this! We are all here to help

 

[CottageMamaof3]

I have a dog. She is 9 human years old. She is generally kind towards all animals- even the chickens- she only chases them (harmlessly) if she gets jealous). View attachment 2639585
Maybe your dog was jealous- were you spending lots of tine with the chicks and not him?
I don't really know how to help. Sorry for your loss

He's also been bored since he is now the only dog in the house.

 

[CottageMamaof3]

I’m so sorry for your loss As a new chicken owner, last fall I lost my 5 month old barred rock hen to a hawk only 4 days into having her. I too was so distraught and disappointed in myself and thought, I’m not cut out for this. It’s never easy to deal with a loss, only time heals. I now have baby chicks in the brooder You can do this! We are all here to help

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad I found this site. ❤

 

[PippinTheChicken]

He's also been bored since he is now the only dog in the house.

Maybe that's the reason
Did he used to have a buddy?

 

[bobbi-j]

After 35+ years of chicken keeping, I have lost chickens to all kinds of predators, including my own dogs at times. I know that even if it’s been years without a predator loss, it’s going to happen. I don’t make pets of my chickens. That doesn’t mean I’m OK with them being killed.

Are these your first chickens? How old is the dog? How much time have you put in training it?