My German Shephard ate 2 chickens!

[Cat's Coop]

Well my worse fear has happened! I thought I could trust my GSD as my 10 week old chickens free ranged in backyard. It has never done anything when supervised but today it attacked and killed 2. It did eat 1 of them. I don't know what to do now. I think it has a taste for them and will do it again. I love my dog but I do not want to live in constant worry.

I do take full responsibility as I should not have had 100% confidence this would not happen.

 

[The Egg Bandit]

It is sad. I have had several chickens commit suicide by dog. Now my chickens don't get to free range anymore. And the dog gets tethered to slow her down. Of course, since my dog is a wolf, there was never any real expectation of peaceful coexistence. It just blows my mind that the chickens would willingly go to HER. Sometimes those girls do the oddest things. And yes, it has been my experience that once a dog has tasted chicken, it will want more. Time for some separation. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Cat's Coop]

Thanks. For now, chooks will remain in their big run. Long-term though, I want a dog that can co-exist with them and be a protector. I am currently discussing with wife on some options. I really don't want to give up the dog. My sister is looking for a good guard dog..........maybe we can give it her and look for a dog we can trust.

 

[Olive Hill]

Who did you make a commitment to first? The dog or the chickens?

 

[okiegirl]

my dog killed 8 of my chickies. I loved those little guys and cried like a baby.

Hubby wanted to keep the dog (he loves her) so we agreed, it's our responsibility to keep the chickies safe. The dog is just doing what is ingrained in her to do.

For me, I had to look at the financial side too. Each chick cost $2, the dog has been in excesss of $100. The chicks only have a few years life span (to serve their purpose) the dog will be with for many many years.

 

[chicksnchooks]

I hate sad posts....I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[Lorije1]

The dog was just being a predator... no fair punishing for that. Sorry for the hurt and heartache of losing the chickens....

 

[fancbrd4me02]

You can have a dog and chickens, just keep them seperate. Build a sturdy pen for the chickens, re-enforce it with electric wire. I have a chicken eating dog, and I just keep the dog seperate from the chicks. My solution? Inside dog, outside chickens.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Quote:
I have a german shepherd, and that's what we do - However, tonight I let Angus roam outside with my chicks, new and old
Don't you know one of my new little chickies ran away and I never noticed it until Angus brought it back in his mouth and laid it gently at my feet.

I'd never give up my dog - he's too well trained - and he came from a high kill shelter in Brooklyn, NY - not exactly rural farm life

Maybe your dog just needs training

 

[Cat's Coop]

My commitment was for our GSD first. Trust me this is hard for me. I want both to live in harmony but I think I can never have that now. I don't think further training will do any good since it has a taste for them now. Has anyone had success in 'rehabilitation'?

I have the chooks in a nice huge 200'x40' covered run. I want them to free range all day also. Our GSD did noot go into run, the chooks went to her. Our dog was just protecting her property. It comes down to better training on my part. I take full responsibility for this.

Once it draws first blood, will it want to do it again?