My Husky is killing my chickens and ducks, I need help!

[SundanceKid87]

Hey all,

This is my first post for this site. I am in DESPERATE NEED of help with my 4 year old husky killing my chickens and ducks.

We began letting out our ducks and chickens to freely roam and forage our property this year. Knowing she may attack them like she did as a puppy one time, we got a shock collar and tried training her not to mess with them. It seemed to work for a few months as she showed no interest in them until one day she killed 7 out of 10 chickens in one day. She ran through the invisible fence straight to their coop while we were gone. The shock collar appears to no longer work as she now just blows through it. We also had it on the highest setting. We did scold her when she came running up to the house with a dead one in mouth. Last week, she killed two Pekins and today killed one call duck.

I am at my wits end and need any help / advice. We also tried putting her on a 15ft leash close to the house while the chickens & ducks are out(she has access to food, water, and shelter), but that does no good as she still manages to get a hold of them(probably them getting too close). She won’t attack them while we’re present, but if we go in the house for a few seconds, bam, she kills. I hate scolding her and hate keeping my chickens/ ducks up, but I can’t have her eating them anymore. Please let me know if you have ANY advice!

**EDIT: Thank you all so much for the advice! **

 

[LaFleche]

This situation seems to call for strict separation management:

When the chickens and ducks are out, the dog has to stay inside the house or his kennel.

When the chickens and ducks are confined to their secure run, the dog can run freely.

As Huskies are known for their strong prey drive, there will not be much else you can do but to keep them strictly separate.

I am sorry for your losses.

And by the way: Welcome to BYC! Hopefully we will be able to help you with your problem.

 

[roosterhavoc]

You need to understand the reality of a high prey drive dog and little toys running all around your yard. It’s just not a good mix. Put up a fence, keep the birds locked up or only allow the dog outside when you’re there to supervise.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

If you can't make a predator proof run, (your dog being the predator), I'd decide whether I want that dog or chickens. I know that a lot of people will have a problem with that statement. Its reality.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you all for the advice!

As Huskies are very good at climbing fences, have the dog kennel covered in mesh, otherwise she will just wait for you to turn your back to start the next killing spree.

 

[ShrekDawg]

This situation seems to call for strict separation management:

When the chickens and ducks are out, the dog has to stay inside the house or his kennel.

When the chickens and ducks are confined to their secure run, the dog can run freely.

As Huskies are known for their strong prey drive, there will not be much else you can do but to keep them strictly separate.

I am sorry for your losses.

And by the way: Welcome to BYC! Hopefully we will be able to help you with your problem.

You need to understand the reality of a high prey drive dog and little toys running all around your yard. It’s just not a good mix. Put up a fence, keep the birds locked up or only allow the dog outside when you’re there to supervise.

Agreed! And I also would not continue to allow her out with them if she was a known bird killer but of course, what’s done is done and I’m sure it’s very sad! But this is definitely a training and management issue and not the dog’s fault.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Here we had the same situation, a dog who would blow through anything if it meant killing the birds!
We built 'Ft. Knox' fencing for the back yard, so unless a bird flew into the yard, our dog couldn't get out. Here we continued to have him on the IF collar, set on high, and set 3' inside a 4.5" woven wire fence, with electric tape on the top, so 5' tall overall. With 6' chain link gates.
He couldn't get to the real fence to dig under or jump over it, without being continuously zapped by the IF collar. Problem solved!
Since then, the only time another of our rescue dogs got out of the yard, our IF system malfunctioned. A very bad day for the chickens, but fixed when the IF people replaced the defective (old) equipment.
Your dog will never be safe with these birds!!! Set up safe bird housing, and a safe yard for your dog, and every future dog, and give up on 'trusting' this dog to change.
Mary

 

[JoePa]

Once the dog started killing chickens he had too much fun and you'll never stop it from doing it again - you always got to keep them apart - you are basically fighting against nature - I wouldn't let he chickens out to roam the yard anymore _ keep them in the coop

 

[coryn]

I simply wouldn't trust a husky around any bird unless the dog is very well trained. My friend's husky had it in for my parrot. We were camping and the dog broke into our tent, pulled out the blankets covering the cage and then ripped open the cage to get to the bird.

 

[ShrekDawg]

As Huskies are very good at climbing fences, have the dog kennel covered in mesh, otherwise she will just wait for you to turn your back to start the next killing spree.

Hm yes that’s a good point too!! Some of them can climb 6 or 8 foot fences! and they dig!! So secure the bottom too with some sort of skirt or concrete. Or even better, have her inside. Some birds can fly high too so even if she doesn’t get out, they may get in.