Although I've been interested in having chickens I worry about them with our frequent travel so it's not in the plan for now.
However, my next door neighbor does have chickens. One hen and the rooster hop over the fence somewhat regularly. This was fine with me, they eat the bug and she was cute to see.
Until we got new puppies. Now when a chicken comes over the fence they give chase. The first time they had a run was a hen pull them away and get them inside. She was a bit frazzled but was ok. A few weeks later the rooster hopped over and lost a few tail feathers. Only caught by one dog since the other was being neutered. I made the vet diagnose the rooster from a video after. They laughed at me. At the time they said a rooster that size would hurt the puppy before the puppy would have a chance to really hurt him. Of course they've grown and are twice the size they were. Caught the rooster again pulled them off I caught the rooster and tossed him back over the fence like he did the the time before. Then the hen came back yesterday. The dogs really caught her before I could get them. She ran off through a hole in the back of my dense that she could fit through but the dogs can't before I could get her and send her home.
The question is what can I do to keep the dogs from attacking. They are labradoodles and the chickens have given such good reaction, fun of the chase, fun squawking sounds, flapping etc. I guess how do I convince them it is not fun to chase the chickens that hop the fence? I'm afraid they are going to kill one one of these times.
I am open to suggestions. Sometimes I do take them out on a leash just to be sure and it's easier to get them back inside if I'm in a hurry but first thing in the morning they run out to potty and run back in for breakfast. Unless there is a visiting bird.
However, my next door neighbor does have chickens. One hen and the rooster hop over the fence somewhat regularly. This was fine with me, they eat the bug and she was cute to see.
Until we got new puppies. Now when a chicken comes over the fence they give chase. The first time they had a run was a hen pull them away and get them inside. She was a bit frazzled but was ok. A few weeks later the rooster hopped over and lost a few tail feathers. Only caught by one dog since the other was being neutered. I made the vet diagnose the rooster from a video after. They laughed at me. At the time they said a rooster that size would hurt the puppy before the puppy would have a chance to really hurt him. Of course they've grown and are twice the size they were. Caught the rooster again pulled them off I caught the rooster and tossed him back over the fence like he did the the time before. Then the hen came back yesterday. The dogs really caught her before I could get them. She ran off through a hole in the back of my dense that she could fit through but the dogs can't before I could get her and send her home.
The question is what can I do to keep the dogs from attacking. They are labradoodles and the chickens have given such good reaction, fun of the chase, fun squawking sounds, flapping etc. I guess how do I convince them it is not fun to chase the chickens that hop the fence? I'm afraid they are going to kill one one of these times.
I am open to suggestions. Sometimes I do take them out on a leash just to be sure and it's easier to get them back inside if I'm in a hurry but first thing in the morning they run out to potty and run back in for breakfast. Unless there is a visiting bird.