My dog likes chicken poop

[seth22]

Ok, my chickens roam, so sometimes they get on the porch and like any other bird, goes wherever. The problem I have, if my dog sees it, she eats it, nasty right?! Any ideas how to stop her eating it?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

If you want them to roam there is no way they will stop. Dogs eat excrement because they are missing nutrients in their diet or just for the fact that it tastes good to them. Mine have a field day eating those chicken nuggets.

 

[Ericapd]

My dog loves eating the chicken poop too. I just kick dirt over any fresh droppings I see when we are outside. Other than that, I tell him “no” when he goes for it. He still follows them around and will beat me to it sometimes. He hasn’t gotten sick, but I don’t know if it’s particularly safe.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ok, my chickens roam, so sometimes they get on the porch and like any other bird, goes wherever. The problem I have, if my dog sees it, she eats it, nasty right?! Any ideas how to stop her eating it?

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I have researched this a ton and talked to my vet about it as my mini pigs also eat chicken droppings. As it turns out... not necessarily because they are "missing" nutrients in their own diet... but because the dropping likely have undigested nutrients in them. It's like the ultimate recycling. Ugh, the dogs even try to eat the pig poo.

But there's even another big reason why MANY animals (not just dogs or pigs) eat other animals excrement.. and that is to colonize their gut with other bacteria. Even humans are having poo transplants these days.

A HEALTHY animal, in my experience won't have any terrible medical issues caused by this disgusting uncivilized behavior. But an animal who had a compromised immune system could experience problems.

Everyday when I pick up my dog and pig droppings they have already been invaded and started being recycled by different types of beetles, fly larva, and such... this is because they all have the nutrients not used by the original consumer.

I suggest having a fecal float done at least a couple times per year to see what YOUR parasite load is where you are and on your land. Some locations have heavier load possibly due to differences in weather, soil type, stock load, wild life load, and so on. Most worm species cannot be seen on droppings. Only tape worms and round worms under heavy load. All others stay in the guts and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass in droppings. Usual cost is $18-25. But there are some mail in places that are a bit cheaper, if you don't have your own microscope.

Without constant supervision or total separation... I don't know of any way to stop them from eating droppings. Cayenne pepper sprinkled on MAYBE... but my animals don't seem to go for every dropping. Maybe they are just a bit pickier now since they've had access for so many years.

Anyways hope this helpful a little!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I have researched this a ton and talked to my vet about it as my mini pigs also eat chicken droppings. As it turns out... not necessarily because they are "missing" nutrients in their own diet... but because the dropping likely have undigested nutrients in them. It's like the ultimate recycling. Ugh, the dogs even try to eat the pig poo.

But there's even another big reason why MANY animals (not just dogs or pigs) eat other animals excrement.. and that is to colonize their gut with other bacteria. Even humans are having poo transplants these days.

A HEALTHY animal, in my experience won't have any terrible medical issues caused by this disgusting uncivilized behavior. But an animal who had a compromised immune system could experience problems.

Everyday when I pick up my dog and pig droppings they have already been invaded and started being recycled by different types of beetles, fly larva, and such... this is because they all have the nutrients not used by the original consumer.

I suggest having a fecal float done at least a couple times per year to see what YOUR parasite load is where you are and on your land. Some locations have heavier load possibly due to differences in weather, soil type, stock load, wild life load, and so on. Most worm species cannot be seen on droppings. Only tape worms and round worms under heavy load. All others stay in the guts and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass in droppings. Usual cost is $18-25. But there are some mail in places that are a bit cheaper, if you don't have your own microscope.

Without constant supervision or total separation... I don't know of any way to stop them from eating droppings. Cayenne pepper sprinkled on MAYBE... but my animals don't seem to go for every dropping. Maybe they are just a bit pickier now since they've had access for so many years.

Anyways hope this helpful a little!

This was some useful information! A fount if information you are! My dogs also eat my potbelly’s poo. It’s a delicacy for them and my chickens love rabbit poo.

 

[tayjamieson]

My dog did the same exact thing, along with deer droppings! You could try a probiotic supplement for them, but like Egg Sighted said it's pretty unavoidable. I use a hose to dissolve our chicken poop into the grass/off the porches and it only takes a couple seconds if you are bored and want to do it hehe darn chickens, they poop like there is no tomorrow.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

My dog did the same exact thing, along with deer droppings! You could try a probiotic supplement for them, but like Egg Sighted said it's pretty unavoidable. I use a hose to dissolve our chicken poop into the grass/off the porches and it only takes a couple seconds if you are bored and want to do it hehe darn chickens, they poop like there is no tomorrow.

I’m not spraying my chickens acre . My hose don’t reach that far. My dogs keep my yard clean XD

 

[tayjamieson]

I’m not spraying my chickens acre . My hose don’t reach that far. My dogs keep my yard clean XD

Haha I do not blame you - my boyfriend makes fun of me a ton for doing it when I get bored!