My Own Dogs?!?!

[Jess N Jeff]

My dogs seemed fine with my chickens at first...until they did exactly what your dogs did. Now the chickens and dogs dont spend any time around each other. I just cant trust the dogs. They are after all dogs...its instinct for them to go after birds.

 

[gryeyes]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I totally understand your frustration, anger, and sadness. Dogs are dogs, and the prey instinct is always there. But that's dogs; we sometimes try to put our human rationale on our pets (I know I do!) and are surprised - often very badly - when our dogs act just like dogs and do something we didn't think they'd do. I certainly learned that when my elderly dachshund, which had never seen a chicken in his life, killed 3 of mine over a period of a month. After the first one, I began to be more vigilant, but still missed it when there was a spot in the run fence one of the chickens exploited and got out.... dashing right past Zorro. She ran, he chased, and got her before I could get to either of them. Now Zorro is my very best predator-proofing fellow: I watch where HE tried to get into the run, and secured all those weak spots.

Now that the chickens are older and much larger, I can walk with him whilst they free range in the back yard - BUT I MUST KEEP AN EYE ON HIM ALL THE TIME. Luckily, the rooster fluffed up, stood up tall, flapped his wings to become enourmous and lunged at Zorro, screaming bloody murder. Zorro isn't about to chase HIM, ever.

I love my little dog - had him nearly 12 years. It's not his fault he killed those chickens, it was mine. But I sure was mad at the situation. And myself.

 

[SunnyChic]

My two dogs don't bother the adult chickens, but like so many others have posted, those chick sounds and movements are practically irresistible - the squeaky toy analogy is spot on!

 

[stuckinthecity]

I know, I don't blame my dogs....well I do but I atleast understand it was in their nature to do so. NOW to make a good point...I am not that big of a novice and let my dogs and chickens out together....The chickens were penned up and THE DOGS dug under the kennel fence and made a hole big enough for the chicks to get out. But, anyway yes sorry I was too frustrated to give the essential details... Thanks though for the kind words. It reallllllly sucks. These guys were doing great. They were even "roosting" with mama in the house the night before. (house is 2 feet off the ground- so it was good to know they could fly that high up)

 

[Esteri]

Our two Weimaraners (hunting lines, and trained to hunt) got our turkey chicks on Tuesday and had Thanksgiving and Christmas a little early. There wasn't much left.

They also dug out and busted into the turkey pen (improperly secured). Of course, we knew they'd be bird killers when we decided to get poultry - so it's not terribly surprising to us. In the end - it's our own fault for not taking better care.

We'll be putting the birds behind electric poultry netting, and beefing up the dog run.
.

 

[Lu King]

So sorry about your loss. A neighbor's pit bull got into my turkey pen and killed everyone of them. So, I know how you feel losing your birds.