My dogs killed my chickens!

[colby318]

We had to use a shock collar on our Aussie. It was our last resort. He'd work himself into a froth over the birds and killed a roo. We long tethered him to a tree by where the birds free ranged. Every time he'd get worked up, he'd get the "listen" beep. I personally think desensitizing him to their presence is working better than the zap. But I still don't and won't trust him alone.

Colby

 

[freshegg]

Thats not what I was getting at (might of appeared that way cause I have a pit) just saying even little dogs can kill who would think a pug would do this.

 

[roosty]

Shock collar !!
My dog killed a few of my chickens. This may sound cruel to some but you either get along with the chickens or you go. So... I put the collar on him and attached the dead chickens as well. Then I shocked him. It only took one time and he has never messed with them again. As a matter of fact he dont even look their way. If they run by him he lays down. He free ranges outside with the chickens and I dont have to worry about it anymore.

 

[NYREDS]

Dogs are natural preditors, chickens are natural prey.
By far the only really effective method is to keep them seperated. Put a well constructed run around your chicken coop & your problem is solved. A well constructed run is also effective against many other preditors.

 

[Ferngully]

My heart goes out to you on chicken loss. Training MAY help. I was terrified when we got chickens that we would have a huge problem since we have 6 dogs of different breeds(maltese, min. poodle, chinese crested, chihuahua(he learned chickens can kick his little 2 pound butt), and a german shepherd). So far, knock on wood, we have not had a problem, however we watch at all times when they are out together. You never know when a chicken running across the yard will spark a game of chase. I was the most worried about the GSD but since she is heavily trained to start with she is my best dog. She watchful of the chicks in the brooder and has learned that at night on command "chickens to bed" she and I go out and close the the pens up for the night. She does a perimeter check on each run.

We have an egg production coop/run in one area and the "pet" chickens live in our fenced area sharing with the dogs "safe" play, potty area.

Now....I doggy sit for my father when he goes out of town. He now has 2 dogs. When I picked them up yesterday I made sure that they were on leads, as I didn't know how they would react. Good thing too because his little nonsense is a chicken chaser(caught him before he caught our pet chickens). The lab/chow puppy is a little better. It is going to be a long week

.

Point of post. Training can help, and do alot of good, but be ever mindful when they are in the same space. Start with the basic obedience training, if the dog has this training reinforce it. Since you know that this dog has the drive to chase/kill perhaps keeping the dog on lead when outside will give you greater control of the dog and the opportunity for corrective training when around chickens. I hope you can find a way for both to live in harmony for the most part.

 

[Farmer Brown]

Quote:
A pug would have been the last breed I would have thought of unless you had a flock of pant legs

I agree about the little dogs we have an Italian Greyhound and I am sure in her prime( she is 11yrs. with 2 teeth now) she would have gone after a bantam in a heartbeat. luckily she is scared of them all and prefers to avoid them at all cost.

 

[Daynna]

The best way to break a dog is to take whatever the item is and make it an albatross around it's neck.

We had a dog once that killed a chicken, so we tied it around his neck, and he had to wear it for several days, until he managed to get it off (it wasn't an easy task). Needless to say, he left the chickens alone after that.

Since he has a habit of getting my early morning newpaper and shredding it before I have the opportunity to read it, he is wearing it around his neck. And, he will wear it until it disintergrates.

Cruel? Not really, but he gets the point. He sure would like for me to take it off.

Michael
Cracking Up Farms

 

[Lunachick]

I don't really have any advice, I just want to say I'm sorry you lost all your chickens and from your own dog.

Hope it gets better for you.

 

[digginchicks]

I would go ahead and put the shock collar on the dog and if it goes after another chicken nock it on its butt.

 

[Machelle the chellbug!]

oohh I'm so sorry...I was worried about my dogs Red Healer and Ch. lab/springer..and my cats..they watched the chicks grow in the house until they went outside, and after the chickens grew they now chase the cats!!
This will be a project to keep your dog away, a I have always heard once they get a taste they will repeat...I hope things get better for you! again sorry for your loss