Pet dogs as predators???

[DIMBY]

I have a Springer, a Beagle and a rotty-mix. However, all are older dogs, the rottie-mix is the youngest at almost six years. I wasn't sure, so I kept the chickens in their runs for about six weeks before I let them out - their run and hen houses are in our back yard, within the 8-foot-hi chain link fence. This way, I hoped they would all get used to each other -- and i wanted to wait until the birds were fairly good size (they were about 12-14 weeks old when I set them free). I chose Independence Day weekend and i watched all like a hawk.

The only problem I've had is that the rottie-mix wanted to lick a couple of them, she'd get them down between her paws and proceed to lick them, which made the feathers loose. Fortunately, no wounds or blood but after doing this twice with the same bird, I came down on her like the devil's rain and put her in a muzzle for two days.

That seems to have done the trick, it's been more than a month and she is leaving the birds alone.

The other two dogs are completely apathetic to the bunch, even when I added three new hens. Not sure if the breed matters, but perhaps age and general temperament are factors. Also, before I decided to get chickens, I had noticed for years that my dogs are not bothered by the presence of large morning doves or collared doves in the backyard.

Here are a couple of pix, in one of them you can see the Springer in a dog house taking a morning snooze.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Adorable!

 

[mmurry1]

When we got chickens three years ago I had the same concern for the peeps. I have a GSD at the time he was about two years old. He is an indoor dog for the most part but spends a lot of time outside also. When we got the original peeps they were day old and we kept them in a plastic box with an open top in the living room where he watched them grow for a couple weeks. I think that probably helped to introduce them as "nice babies". We can leave him unattended with any age chickens, pygmy goats, cats, pheasant and rabbits that we own (I think that is because of the introductions). By the way my dog is not so much gentle and relaxed, we do not let him around people he doesn't know or any dogs and he comes unglued if he sees a cat that is not ours. I also agree with the muzzle, we use it as a tool for introduction when needed.

One issue getting your birds used to the dog is that if you sell or give any birds to someone that has dogs that aren't so nice the birds are used to the dog being around so they are killed.

We also have a four month old GSD who is not so easy. I think being so young she has a hard time restraining herself from playing with things that are not hers because of her age. She gets locked in the laundry room if the big boy cannot be outside with her. She cannot be trusted, but she will learn.

 

[ellieroo]

I have an 80 pound Dobe who is sprawled in the sun with her flock! Even the banty chicks have nothing to fear! In fact 2 nites ago she became a coonhound and treed a large male coon and waited for Pops to get the gun. Don't mess with her chickens By George !

 

[newchickmom09]

I think a lot of factors play into if your dog is going to be a predator or not. Breed/breeds certain breeds are just ment to have higher prey drives. Like hounds and hunting breeds were bred to take down or retrieve the animals. You have to take there natural instinct into consideration.

We have the most well behaved, great listening 13 year old lab. She loves to go dove and quail hunting and never touches a bird unless we say ok. That being explained we had parakeets a couple of years ago and my hubby was holding one in his hand by his knee. Our lab walked up and sat right next to him. My hubby thinking that she would never do anything continued to hold our Yoshi (birds name) and once she flapped her wings one time just to strech she was in our labs mouth. Quick as that she was done, it was like a bolt of lightning. I never even though our lab could move that fast anymore.

Once we got our chickens her ears would always perk up if she heard them chirping crazy. We watch her when the chickens are out and walking about. She has never tryed to go after our ducks and the ducks are out in the yard all day they don't go in a pen.
We also have a mutt he is probably a little bit of australian cattle dog, lab, pit, german shepherd dog, and chow would be my best guess. He is my velco dog and is always at my side so anytime I go into the chickens pen he is right there by me. He doesn't care about the chickens I think he is scared of them really. Anytime they get close he jumps up and walks away. But the ducks can eat out of the same bowl from him.

We don't let the chickens out with out us watching them anyways so they don't eat all of my plants.

You just always have the thought in the back of your head that nature just might take over there head for a split second. That is all it will take for a dogs tooth to rip a chicken.

 

[citrusdreams]

My chickens free range with four of my dogs, and two of my friend's dogs, and another friend's dog. All different breeds but all kind of calm in temperament.

I got the chickens when two of the dogs were young adults. They did great. The other two I got as puppies and they had to be trained not to chase chickens, and you CANNOT leave dogs unattended with chickens until they are at a point that you trust them. The more exposure the dogs have to the chickens, the less interested in them they will be. Some dogs just need very diligent and consistent training, and others will never behave around chickens. You'll have to watch them and make sure they can be trusted. Otherwise, they can't mingle.

I only have problems with one neighbor's dogs. And they're not allowed here or they get shot at.

As for poop. The chickens can't resist cow poo. But they don't bother the dog poo. Dogs OTOH love chicken poo, cow poo and horse poo. It's a nasty world

 

[Tala]

My dog seems to view the chickens on equal ground as the cats. She knows that they are important to me, and a part of the pack, but she doesn't love them. When they were itty bitty chicks we had to keep them separated because she did want to eat the squeeky toys, but she seems to respect them now that they are grown and have been a part of the family for a while.

Also she's a soft dog, so any verbal scolding from me stops any misbehavior. I told her a firm NO about getting in the trash as a puppy, and I can leave it out on the porch and she still won't touch it 2 years later. The cats on the other hand.....

love to shred trash bags.

I was prepared to protect the chickens with electric fence 24/7 if necessary though. We also own a high quality electric collar, but we haven't needed it for the chickens.

I would just say to prepare to keep them separated, because prey instinct is very strong in some dogs. For some dogs it's stronger than their desire to please you, they just can't resist.

 

[newchickmom09]

Forgot to answer the poo question. I think dogs love all kinds of poo.

My chickens don't care about the dog or duck poo. We keep all of that cleaned up pretty well though.

 

[Chickenmaven]

My dog is (almost) perfect. Honest. Mellow. Lazy. Mild. Cute. My bunnies like him; cats at the vet's office like him and my chickens like him. His run is adjacent to theirs. He lays as close as he can to them & they cuddle together at the fence.

And, YET, when my favorite hen got loose and flew toward him, he became Air Bud. Zoom!!! Up & at 'em. Zoweee!!! Instant *Bird-in-the-Mouth*

!!!!! I was dumbstruck. She was okay, but the event sent a chill down my spine.

Are pet dogs predators? Smart people must assume they are.

 

[1stepcloser]

Quote:
Ugh, yours too??? Mine has the nerve to want to lick me after the fact.