My dogs killed more chickens. >:'(

[ChaoSS]

Also, has anyone had any luck with remote shock collars? I've been thinking about it and it seems like it might solve the problem of the rabbits being portable. I could still use the collar to remind them the rabbits are off limits.

I do still plan on reinforcing our coop. If a predator were to gut past our yards chain link fence, they could certainly do what my dogs did.

You stated that you didn't have much luck training the dogs because of a lack of time. A shock collar is a training aid, and will take a lot of your time, since you would have to be consistent.

An electric fence would serve you better.

 

[Toddv]

Quote:
The collars would only work if you were out there closely supervising 100% of the time every time the dogs were out. You have to zap them the second they start heading for the rabbits/chickens or it would be too late.

Yes, we have two Boxers that we needed to train after one had my rooster by the neck. He lived. We found a set of collars on Amazon, the pair is run by the same remote but have individual buttons. The real key is that it will take about 2 weeks to really have the idea concreted I to the dogs' head and they also can't in any way associate the shock with you kr the remote or they will only behave while they are bieng watched. In fact it's better to stay comoletely hidden while training. I make the joke that the dogs now think we have voodoo chickens. They now all live in harmony and one of the dogs even thwarted a Hawk attack a few weeks ago. Next we taught them that eating chicken poo isn't a good idea. An electric fence is another option, they can be almost invisible and animals get the idea very quickly.

 

[memphis]

You could buy a chain link dog kennel. They sell them everywhere and start around 200 bucks. If you can't be consistent about training right now, this would allow them to be outside without supervision. Dogs like to gang up, maybe letting them out one at a time might help.

 

[michiandflock]

I have two dogs my Alfa female lab/ pitbull and a male lab/chow.
I've always trusted my female dog, because somehow she knows which animals are ours.
She even protects them

The male was hard to teach.
once I let the chickens free range, my mom let him out...

and he almost killed my roosters but I pulled him and he's topped I just smacked him and he ran inside I didn't mean to I was just freaking out

well I've done it a couple times because I freak out and that's the only way he stops now I just raise my hand and say no and he knows he will get smacked in his booty if he doemst leave them alone,I still dont trust him unsupervised but he's doing good while I'm around

 

[Folly's place]

I want to add that if your dogs can get to your rabbits and chickens, so can most other predators. You do need to keep the dogs and others separated, and redo your chicken and rabbit facilities. Electric fencing works very well, but may not be legal where you are. Find out first! The electrified poultry fencing is wonderful if you can use it. (Premier1supplies.com). A chain link run would work for your dogs, on concrete, six ft. tall. Sometimes can be found on craigslist. Training takes lots of time and consistency; containment will be faster and safer too. mary

 

[DaniDuckDuchess]

I have 3 pits and a cocker spaniel. If you let your chickens out tie up your dogs. Plain and simple. You shouldn't have to get rid of them.

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Your in a pickle...

Seems like part of the problem is space also. There's not much you can do with 1/3 acre without a fence.

Easiest solution is no free ranging, on that size property you probably won't be able to contain them anyway. I use shock collars with amazing effectiveness, but it takes dedicated training time. We use hunting dogs to guard the chickens and they do very well. Again sounds like that's not an option.

You also have the rules of suburbia to consider, I know or have heard of a few but every place is different. If the fence in the front has to be a curtain way, there's no way a one wire or electric poultry net will fly. Neighbors would be up in arms, guaranteed. I'm sure they already have feeling about the chickens, but I'm glad you have them.

I think the only solution is either the dogs are out or the birds are out. One thing to think about is chickens in a neighborhood most times are far more vulnerable than you think. All the existing predators are used to living around people even the raptors, not toention the random dogs that come and go at the worse possible times. I would tractor the rabbits and chickens so they are secure and leave it that way. You get to keep the dogs too.

 

[ChicKat]

This is the approach I used with my dogs -- way back when. Now more than 4-years later -- the dogs are better with chickens than the chickens are with dogs....BUT - I have to admit my dogs are exceptionally smart.

http://canterlc.com/StopChickenKillerDogs/site/pages/home/


She is a herding dog -- and looking over her shoulder for a cue from me to see if I want her to herd them someplace.

 

[Jackschicks]

Separation is the only solution for me - my dog training skills are limited by my lack of consistency. I am also a foster mom for Golden Retriever Rescue and I normally have 2 foster dogs in addition to my own 2 dogs. Even if my own dogs were trained to leave the chickens alone, I would constantly be training my foster dogs. The chickens coops are attached to large dogproof runs so they have plenty of space. Ironically, I use dog runs to contain the chickens. The chickens get to free range for several hours every day but when they are out of the run the dogs are shut in the house. When the dogs are out in the yard, the chickens are in their run. Even if my own dogs were trained, there are entirely too many predators in my area to allow the chickens to free range all the time. We have foxes, hawks, coyotes, coons, possums, skunks and they all like a chicken dinner. I am not willing to sustain those kinds of losses so I limit the amount of time my chickens get to free range. So far, it is the best solution for me.

I guess the best scenario is to have a dog that is a trained livestock guardian.