My dog killed one of my chickens. Now what?

[ShadyHillFarm]

We've had chickens now for over a year and this is the first time this has happened. I was mowing the yard and my chickens were free ranging. The next thing I know one of the kids starts yelling that the dog killed a chicken. Sure enough, it was dead and the neck was chewed open. Feathers everywhere. We've had our dog for 4 years and he's never killed a chicken before. I tied him up on a tether and he could barely look at me. When I took the chicken over to him he wouldn't even look at it. He just lowered himself and would look away.

There has been another instance where I had a very sickly chicken that he got ahold of after it died and took it off. When I realized it, I reprimanded him for it. The next day he brought the carcass back and laid it in the yard where the other chickens were.

I will mention that the dog doesn't like loud noises, mower included and has been known to get excited when the chickens get to flying around. I wonder if it was a playful, thing that went too far. I'm just nervous now since the neck was chewed open and bleeding. I'm just not sure where to go from here beside keeping him restrained every time the chickens are out which is ALL the time.

 

[Papas Chickens]

We've had chickens now for over a year and this is the first time this has happened. I was mowing the yard and my chickens were free ranging. The next thing I know one of the kids starts yelling that the dog killed a chicken. Sure enough, it was dead and the neck was chewed open. Feathers everywhere. We've had our dog for 4 years and he's never killed a chicken before. I tied him up on a tether and he could barely look at me. When I took the chicken over to him he wouldn't even look at it. He just lowered himself and would look away.

There has been another instance where I had a very sickly chicken that he got ahold of after it died and took it off. When I realized it, I reprimanded him for it. The next day he brought the carcass back and laid it in the yard where the other chickens were.

I will mention that the dog doesn't like loud noises, mower included and has been known to get excited when the chickens get to flying around. I wonder if it was a playful, thing that went too far. I'm just nervous now since the neck was chewed open and bleeding. I'm just not sure where to go from here beside keeping him restrained every time the chickens are out which is ALL the time.

What breed of dog is it? My dogs never attacked any of my animals, my GSP ( Bird Dog ) gets excited when he sees the chickens running around and when our goat is jumping around. I usually give him a stern LEAVE IT and he walks away sulking because he wants to play with them. He is only 1 1/2 years old so basically a pup still. Did you find any blood around your dogs mouth? He coward down because you tied him up, how was he acting before you tied him up?

 

[Sseckel]

I wish I had a good suggestion for you, we are in the same boat. Our German Shorthaired Pointer just killed 5 of our 6 hens while we were away and I have to put the 6th down since she appears to have a dislocated or broken hip. We didn't mean to leave her out but we forgot her in the yard. She had never bothered them before but she was always supervised then. We ordered new chicks and a training collar, so far my plan is provide lots of temptation with the new chicks (when she cant actually get to them) and issue a correction when she shows too much interest. We also free range daily so it is a pretty big issue for us, especially because I don't like to keep any of our animals confined but I may just have to get used to rotating yard time. The chicks won't arrive for a few more weeks so we will see. So far I have just been teaching her that the coop is off limits as she tries to go through the entry door when I go in. Good luck.

 

[Sseckel]

Papas Chickens-

That is the same age & breed as our dog. I was shocked when I came home to find our hens scattered across our yard. The only thing is we adopted her from the shelter a few months ago so we really have no idea of her history. She is pretty submissive but I don't think she was abused, she is very high energy though. And I had to correct her a few times in the past for chasing them but she always took the correction well. She didn't' have any blood around her mouth and there were only 2 birds that had visible injuries the other 4 did not. We've taken her to obedience and she did well so hopefully just a bit more training will have everyone happy and getting along. Did you do any special training with her or is a Leave it good enough so far?

 

[ShadyHillFarm]

What breed of dog is it? My dogs never attacked any of my animals, my GSP ( Bird Dog ) gets excited when he sees the chickens running around and when our goat is jumping around. I usually give him a stern LEAVE IT and he walks away sulking because he wants to play with them. He is only 1 1/2 years old so basically a pup still. Did you find any blood around your dogs mouth? He coward down because you tied him up, how was he acting before you tied him up?

He is a red heeler. He's probably about 8-9 years old. We rescued him and they weren't sure of his age. Vet estimated about 4-5yo. I didn't see any blood around his mouth. He knew he was in trouble the minute he saw me. He lowered his head and tried to come over to me. I grabbed his collar and took him back over there and showed him what he'd done, talking very sternly. He wouldn't have anything to do with the bird after that. He actually wouldn't even come to me when I called him to tether him up. I had to unhook the tether and go to him and pull him over to the tether. This morning he didn't want to eat. First he wanted me to pet him and show him love and then he started to eat. He normally follows me down to the coop in the morning and he wouldn't today. He stayed up at the house. :/ I don't mind working with him, but I'm not sure I'm going to fully trust him after this.

 

[Papas Chickens]

He is a red heeler. He's probably about 8-9 years old. We rescued him and they weren't sure of his age. Vet estimated about 4-5yo. I didn't see any blood around his mouth. He knew he was in trouble the minute he saw me. He lowered his head and tried to come over to me. I grabbed his collar and took him back over there and showed him what he'd done, talking very sternly. He wouldn't have anything to do with the bird after that. He actually wouldn't even come to me when I called him to tether him up. I had to unhook the tether and go to him and pull him over to the tether. This morning he didn't want to eat. First he wanted me to pet him and show him love and then he started to eat. He normally follows me down to the coop in the morning and he wouldn't today. He stayed up at the house. :/ I don't mind working with him, but I'm not sure I'm going to fully trust him after this.

A few months of constuctive training and you should be fine. It a hunting dog so ya.

 

[Papas Chickens]

Papas Chickens-

That is the same age & breed as our dog. I was shocked when I came home to find our hens scattered across our yard. The only thing is we adopted her from the shelter a few months ago so we really have no idea of her history. She is pretty submissive but I don't think she was abused, she is very high energy though. And I had to correct her a few times in the past for chasing them but she always took the correction well. She didn't' have any blood around her mouth and there were only 2 birds that had visible injuries the other 4 did not. We've taken her to obedience and she did well so hopefully just a bit more training will have everyone happy and getting along. Did you do any special training with her or is a Leave it good enough so far?

Ya GSP's are insanely high strung, i trained mine for 6 months and hes never touched a chicken. Knock on wood.

 

[ShadyHillFarm]

Any suggestions on training?

 

[Papas Chickens]

Any suggestions on training?

I started with basic puppy obedience and worked up to adult obedience training. Plus some bird dog training for hunting and animal interaction training.