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Karikoo77

Karikoo77

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I just built my coop and got 4 full size chickens,3 Road Island Reds and a Sultan mix. My friend had baby chicks of another breed that are about 6 weeks old and they are Jersey Giant mix. My dog, which is a standard schauser, was excited to see the fill grown chickens but not overly agressive. Now when I got the chicks and put them in the coop the dog went nuts, hair standing on end, scratching and biting at the chicken wire. Is this due to the age, small chicks, or breed that my dog has a fetish with? Hoping just the age/size so I can put them back in once they are bigger.
 
I would guess the size. Perhaps he views them more as prey. ?? I would be very careful to make sure he can't get in with the chicks. I have 2 dogs (Corgi and Golden Retriever) and I don't trust either one of them with my chicks and not sure I ever will. The corgi might be OK if we worked with him but not sure our golden will be ever trust worthy. Both of my dogs have killed bunnies in our yard (wild bunnies) so I know they have prey instinct.

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Greetings from Kansas, Karikoo77, and
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! Pleased you joined our community! Unsure why your dog would be okay with the larger birds but not okay with the younger ones. I imagine it could be that he sees them as unwelcome newcomers. I don't think it is related to their breed - just my guess. Good luck to you and have fun!!
 
They are smaller, move differently, and make a very different squeak toy like sound that is going to be appealing to your dog.

I would introduce your dog to the birds on a leash. Make sure you are in control of your dog and that he already has basic training and impulse control. You will need to work on dog training round the birds EVERY day until the behavior is correct. Treat the adult birds and the chicks as separate training exercises. Bring the dog out of the leash pay careful attention to body language. Anything other than ignoring is incorrect. Scold and remove the dog then start again. Excitement, every happy excitement is not ok. Tension of any kind is not ok. Only completely calm behavior. Repeat over and over and be very very consistent.

I would repeat this process whenever you get new birds or build a new bird area (coop, brooder, etc)

It is possible but takes a commitment on your part.

This is one of my rescued dogs from an urban shelter.


 
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