My dogs are demons.

[McChooky]

Hello I think you do things the right way.

Thank you. The dogs were used to them being around and easier to train a year later.I'd pick a chicken up every now and carry it outside in the yard just to judge their excitement.The first 6 months I only did it once.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Once a dog gets the taste of blood there is no way to retrain it. Put it down. Sorry, but he will kill again and maybe get into other's chickens.

Not true, and you have to be out of your mind to euthanize a dog for killing a chicken. The only time I feel that's a fair response is if a dog has gotten into a flock and is actively doing damage, in which case shooting may be the fairest option. I don't consider a dogs life worth more than a chickens, or vice versa. When the damage is done, it's time to take charge and be responsible. Not to kill the dog for being a dog.
If they're not extremely well trained, and an LGD breed, then it's on the owner to protect their flock.
This is not the dogs fault.

 

[BelovedBirds]

It can be incredibly frustrating to make any dog poultry safe. And it’s so hard when they eat your birds. I have LGD. My now 2 year old was SO hard. He would chase and chew any bird he could catch for a solid 1.5 years. Worked with him so much. Penned the birds separately. If any got out they were usually injured. Not always killed, because that wasn’t the motivation. Finally he was chicken safe after so much training. But not duck safe. Kept working with him, using a shock collar and going in the house so he didn’t know I was watching. Finally at 22 months he stopped. Possibly also related to neutering. Some dogs need time to mature. Some dogs are too prey driven and need to stay separate no matter what. Some dogs never kill any bird. My current puppy only licks birds. I still keep her away as much as possible, but one got in with her this week and is still fine. Was soaking wet with slobber but fine.
With a prey driven dog I’d use a two fold approach- yes, fence the birds. But also train the dog. A bird could get out. Training the dog makes that a less dangerous problem. There are many methods. Personally I find a shock collar most effective.

Or instead of using a shock collar, you could just be responsible and keep predators and prey separate to avoid problems.

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

Who said anything about them breeding them?

I mean… they are not fixed atm.

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

Or instead of using a shock collar, you could just be responsible and keep predators and prey separate to avoid problems.

That’s what I’m doing. My set up isn’t bullet proof yet, but it is my top priority and every minute I’m off of work I’m working towards that goal.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I mean… they are not fixed atm.

I highly, highly advise you have your dogs fixed. At least one of them for now, the older one. Backyard breeding can cause so many issues, especially without proper health testing of parent dogs.

 

[BelovedBirds]

That’s what I’m doing. My set up isn’t bullet proof yet, but it is my top priority and every minute I’m off of work I’m working towards that goal.

Of course, I'm very happy to read your latest comments and that you're working on predator proofing. I think you're being responsible

 

[fluffycrow]

Of course, I'm very happy to read your latest comments and that you're working on predator proofing. I think you're being responsible

I mean… they are not fixed atm.

Fix the older one. The four month old puppy should not be fixed at that age; still needs time to grow

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

I highly, highly advise you have your dogs fixed. At least one of them for now, the older one. Backyard breeding can cause so many issues, especially without proper health testing of parent dogs.

It has been within our intentions for some time now to do this. But spaying is expensive, and between vehicle issues, the new property, and other expenses it has not been within the budget to do this at this time.

 

[Ruler of the Roost]

Fix the older one. The four month old puppy should not be fixed at that age; still needs time to grow

Agreed. However neutering is by farther the economical option at this time, so it will happen as soon as he is old enough.