My dog met the broody this afternoon.

[they'reHISchickens]

Our 100 lb. dog Cleo checks on her chickens regularly and guards them zealously. Today she stuck her head in the broody house to say hello to Splash who is hunkered down in her nest. Whimper Whimper whine from Cleo because she knows Splash isn't acting normally. Splash bristled, warned, and when Cleo sniffed, she got a peck on the nose for her concern. Cleo backed off immediately and sat down, confused.
Can we explain *hormones* to a dog?!?
We have also noticed when Cleo does an alarm bark, the free range chickens run for cover. Even the new chicks in the house will huddle when she does an alarm bark.

 

[Morri]

haha poor Cleo.... lol love the alarm bark!!

 

[Yessur Ebob]

that sounds like a pretty cool dog.

I wish i had one like that.

 

[Peeps Paradise]

I have a hen that will sound a warning squawk when there is trouble and all
the chickens will run under the coop and then my 2 goats will jump and run
together and start looking around for the trouble. It's funny to watch and
also impressive. They definitely know about keeping safe, and it's a good
thing with all the coyotes and hawks that are around.

 

[Kittymomma]

Poor Cleo.

You've got to love a dog that not only doesn't harrass the chickens actively tries to take care of them. My son's Aussie has learned that "mom" wants to know when the chooks send up the alarm and since he can hear it even with the windows/doors closed and the tv on he comes and gets me. Last weekend there was a coyote hanging around in the early morning and he stood beside the bed and barked until I got up and checked on things.

Your Cleo sounds like a real sweethart.

 

[artsyrobin]

i want a cleo!! what kind is she?

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We are indeed fortunate to have found our Cleo as a pound puppy. She is a treasure and I am certain she thinks and reasons. We've learned to trust when Cleo wants to check outside- even if it s only to sniff the air.
The funny thing is that the chickens seem to trust her completely. It will be interesting to see what Splash does when the chickies hatch.

 

[cashdl]

I have a watch goat. She sleeps in the hen house and chases our dogs off even though the dogs don't chase the chickens. She boss's the chickens around and they run to her when there is trouble. She is not afraid of anything but my husbands sling shot when she is ringing our fruit trees after tearing the wire away from them.

She hates everything but loves the chickens. This is her you stink face. What does she know she's a goat that sleeps under the chickens roost.

 

[babsbag]

My goats run for the barn when the roosters sound the alarm. No idea what they are running from, but I guess they figure that if the chickens are in danger then they are too. Kinda cute.

But I want Cleo too.

 

[EggSpudition]

Quote:
I LOVE IT! A Watch goat! How adorable..

This is my best good girl Mooser. She lays in the yard and lets the chickens climb on her....