Question about dogs

[MetroMutt]

I dont have much experience but I have a good feeling my german shepard will try to protect my hens when they get here! Shes very curious but also is very gentle for her size; she tries to herd the cats though especially when they are doing something bad(jumping on tables, scratching on furniture, or if we even yell their names) We wouldnt be relying on her for protection but I think she would do a good job whenever shes outside with me and the hens (I would keep her away from them of course but shed still be outside with me as without her i get anxiety attacks)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you have a bachelor pen or something like that near the chicken run, where the dog can spend an hour or two next to the chickens every day for a while to get used to them? Or could she be in the yard while the chickens are in the run? IME, a dog that is exposed to the chickens but can't get to them can do well with them. Kinda like the "see-don't-touch" method of socializing and integrating we do when introducing groups of chickens to each other.

 

[MetroMutt]

Do you have a bachelor pen or something like that near the chicken run, where the dog can spend an hour or two next to the chickens every day for a while to get used to them? Or could she be in the yard while the chickens are in the run? IME, a dog that is exposed to the chickens but can't get to them can do well with them. Kinda like the "see-don't-touch" method of socializing and integrating we do when introducing groups of chickens to each other.

For me im not planning to let them loose in the yard together at all for a while first, Id first want the hens to get used to their new home and explore the coop+run and Nala(my dog) can see/smell them but wont have any actual contact since she gets excited with new animals (she cant tell the difference between types of animals usually and we joke that she thinks shes a bird cat hybrid or something) Besides the first couple times she seese them she should be relatively calm and listen to voice commands but im gonna give it a while till I let them meet (with how Nala is she gets very sniffy with stuff shes curious about but then gets used to it and hangs out/lays down) So ye the see dont touch method pretty much!

Shed only be outside with me or when shes going to the bathroom anyways and would never be alone with the chickens since unless someone is watching theyd be in the coop/run since we have hawks

 

[CeceliaD]

I've had Golden retrievers (bird dogs) and Shelties and Collies (herding dogs) who not only did not bother my chickens, but actively protected them. Good luck!

Awesome, good to know! Thank you!

 

[CeceliaD]

Do you have a bachelor pen or something like that near the chicken run, where the dog can spend an hour or two next to the chickens every day for a while to get used to them? Or could she be in the yard while the chickens are in the run? IME, a dog that is exposed to the chickens but can't get to them can do well with them. Kinda like the "see-don't-touch" method of socializing and integrating we do when introducing groups of chickens to each other.

We do have a pen and that could be possible. Interesting idea, thank you. We may try that if we end up getting an older dog.

 

[CeceliaD]

For me im not planning to let them loose in the yard together at all for a while first, Id first want the hens to get used to their new home and explore the coop+run and Nala(my dog) can see/smell them but wont have any actual contact since she gets excited with new animals (she cant tell the difference between types of animals usually and we joke that she thinks shes a bird cat hybrid or something) Besides the first couple times she seese them she should be relatively calm and listen to voice commands but im gonna give it a while till I let them meet (with how Nala is she gets very sniffy with stuff shes curious about but then gets used to it and hangs out/lays down) So ye the see dont touch method pretty much!

Shed only be outside with me or when shes going to the bathroom anyways and would never be alone with the chickens since unless someone is watching theyd be in the coop/run since we have hawks

Glad to know that it has worked for someone! That’s cute that your dog thinks it’s a bird I’ve had dogs think they’re humans and chickens think they’re dogs. It’s all great fun.

 

[RiverOtter]

First, do NOT get an LGD. They don't bond with chickens or go out of their way to protect them. Any chicken guarding they might happen to do is that chickens are in (usually deep in) their territory.
Anything they can walk on is their territory, and if you have less than a hundred acres, they're going to be deeply unhappy and want MORE territory, which is why they have such a bad rep for roaming.

Other than that, any breed YOU get along with and find easy to train will be fine, with the possible exception of some of the independent Northern types, and sighthounds. Sighthounds don't belong on farms, it goes against every fiber of their being.

Including, if not especially, hunting and herding breeds. Herding breeds were developed -not surprisingly - on farms, and no farmer in the history of ever has had much patience for chicken-killing dogs. Herding breeds are also famous for being easy to train, and tend to have an almost maternal bent towards their charges.

Hunting breeds, to the vast shock of most people, aren't useful if they are crazed maniacs that chase everything in sight. Hunting dogs MUST be trainable to hunt this exact thing to the exclusion of all else or they're useless. Do you think someone hunting ducks with their Labrador is going to put up with a dog bouncing around, chasing this and that, dashing after ducks uncontrollably and scaring everything for a mile around? No, of course not.
I have found hunting breeds to be the easiest to train to leave chickens alone, especially if you teach them to bark at hawks.

But the right dog for you is the right dog for YOU. A breed you love and find easy to live with.

 

[CeceliaD]

First, do NOT get an LGD. They don't bond with chickens or go out of their way to protect them. Any chicken guarding they might happen to do is that chickens are in (usually deep in) their territory.
Anything they can walk on is their territory, and if you have less than a hundred acres, they're going to be deeply unhappy and want MORE territory, which is why they have such a bad rep for roaming.

Other than that, any breed YOU get along with and find easy to train will be fine, with the possible exception of some of the independent Northern types, and sighthounds. Sighthounds don't belong on farms, it goes against every fiber of their being.

Including, if not especially, hunting and herding breeds. Herding breeds were developed -not surprisingly - on farms, and no farmer in the history of ever has had much patience for chicken-killing dogs. Herding breeds are also famous for being easy to train, and tend to have an almost maternal bent towards their charges.

Hunting breeds, to the vast shock of most people, aren't useful if they are crazed maniacs that chase everything in sight. Hunting dogs MUST be trainable to hunt this exact thing to the exclusion of all else or they're useless. Do you think someone hunting ducks with their Labrador is going to put up with a dog bouncing around, chasing this and that, dashing after ducks uncontrollably and scaring everything for a mile around? No, of course not.
I have found hunting breeds to be the easiest to train to leave chickens alone, especially if you teach them to bark at hawks.

But the right dog for you is the right dog for YOU. A br eed you love and find easy to live with.

Thank you so much for your reply! Okay then, I’ll stay away from LGDs. This is all very useful information, much appreciated.

 

[CeceliaD]

I dont have much experience but I have a good feeling my german shepard will try to protect my hens when they get here! Shes very curious but also is very gentle for her size; she tries to herd the cats though especially when they are doing something bad(jumping on tables, scratching on furniture, or if we even yell their names) We wouldnt be relying on her for protection but I think she would do a good job whenever shes outside with me and the hens (I would keep her away from them of course but shed still be outside with me as without her i get anxiety attacks)

She sounds like an angel I miss my german shepherd mix. Honestly, I think that might end up being the best option for me. They’re so gentle and sweet but also fierce when they need to be. Thank you for responding!

 

[MetroMutt]

She sounds like an angel I miss my german shepherd mix. Honestly, I think that might end up being the best option for me. They’re so gentle and sweet but also fierce when they need to be. Thank you for responding!

They are absolute sweethearts, my girl in her previous home was abused/ neglected and locked in a crate with a Pitbull and chihuahua for 12 hours everyday; She is still such a sweetheart though! When we got her whenever we picked our hands up to pet her she would flinch and it was heart breaking but now shes doing great! The only thing is she has awful separation anxiety so she barks when we have to go out and is greying early because of it