my own dog is the predator :(

[jcasey829]

i dont know what to do...
i have a one year old german shepherd who destroyed my chickens lives last night. somehow he got out while we were at work and killed at least 6 of my chickens and there are 3 more that im not sure will make it. one is so bad you can see the bones in her neck. he has killed before but it is bc the (free range) roosters got into his kennel. does anyone know if its true when they say that once they get the 'taste' of it that they wont stop? do i need to have this dog killed? hes good with our kids and does a great job as a 'watch' dog, but i love my peaceful birds way more than this dog. my poor chickens are all so scared right now. i have them in the coop today (i normally let them out during the day). im thinking they'll feel safer in there? two of the birds he got have lost their eyes, is it even humane for me to be keeping them alive? i dont even know what to do im really upset. i guess my main question is what to do with the dog (ps none of my other dogs bother the chickens) and is there anyway to make my birds feel more safe...

 

[littlegip]

aww ..not sure how to help ,just wanted to say sorry for ur loss .

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

A couple electric wires around your run will definately help detour your dog!

 

[calicokat]

I'm so very sorry that you have to go through this. And it is even harder because it is your own dog.

If it were me, I'd have a hard time looking at my dog, I'd always be reminded about what happened. But I couldn't be mad at the dog for doing what dogs do, it's his instinct.

Maybe you could find a friend to take the dog? Rehome him where there aren't chickens, that way he gets to live and be happy, but you don't have him threatening your flock?

As to the injured birds, I don't have enough experience to help there, but I know others will be along to help you know what to do.

Sending {{{{{hugs}}}}}

 

[GwenReaper]

I had the same thing happen to me on Monday about 3am. My dog got in and killed 2 of my chickens. One is injured and is inside my house until it gets better. I think it has a broken leg, but is now eating on her own so I am hoping she will recover. When I went out in the coop and saw what my dog had done, It made me ill. I was so upset. They were so helpless. One of my chickens has not laid since.

I am not getting rid of the dog because I have had her for a while, but I am reinforcing my fence. I am also looking into an electric fence to keep her away from the fence all together. Everytime she is outside and looks at a chicken I give her a good pop in the snout.


I am sorry for your loss. I am very new with chickens and have been worried about getting anymore until I know for sure I have a secure place for my chickens.

 

[ChickBond 007]

At about 1 yr old, my dog started chasing birds, followed by eating 1 silkie and one mallard.
We used a shock collar, Innotek brand, to train him. We taught him to round them up, sit amoung them, be their protector but not harm them. It took 3 weeks of training, praise, treats, and once in a awhile-- a zap.
It worked.
You can retrain your dog. It will be a big commitment on your part, but you can retrain him.
GSD are so intelligent, and typically want to please.
Good luck.

 

[FaereChicken]

E-collars work beautifully for that, get some advice on exactly how to ues them first

 

[texascowboy1979]

Hi.. Sorry about your birds.. and I feel for your German Shepard...

I have a German Shepard male.. Got him at 3 1/2 weeks old... Feed him goat milk straight from the goat... we grew really attached to each other... there is nothing I would not do for him... He Loves Bird... all kinds...

Ranger, My German Shepard, has keenl that is 6 foot hight, and 40 X 40 X 50 X 20, Its an odd shapped area..

One morning he escaped from his kennel and managed to get one of my peacocks... You should have seen him... Cutest thing EVER!!! I was all mad and before I could yell at him... He looks at me with this face "SUPER PROUD", and looks like he's trying to tell me...

"Look DAD... look what I caught... Your gonna be so proud of me... This is so cool, I cant belive I got him... YEAH!!!!"

Yeah... needless to say I could have killed him... but its not his fault... Its our fault. I did not secure his kennel right... and I could have added an electric wire around the bird cages...

So I have now added the electric wire around the base of the bird cage and I have had no miss haps with my dogs...

I would not get rid of your dog... If you really want both.. you will find a way to make it work..

Best of luck.

 

[boaz]

It is not a strict relationship that once a dog kills chicks, ducks or livestock that the dog must be rehomed or destroyed. It is a training issue that has to be managed. Most dogs are territorial and can behave quite differently if protecting turf than in the open. Two of our dogs, a Catahoula mix and a GSD both killed birds and later have become good guard dogs with no more occurrences. Actually, the GSD is the best dog we have now as she breaks up any disturbances in the yard. We didn't use shock collars but that certainly works in most instances. I am sorry for the loss, segregating any injured chicks is the best until healed.

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Quote:
Well said....it's not the dog's fault, it's instinctual. Not all dogs kill other animals (rabbits, cats, chickens, etc) but it is inbred in them and can surface anytime. I would find a way to make sure he can't get to the chickens. An electric fence as suggested would be a good start.
Good luck and I'm sorry to hear about your chicks...