Roosters and Small Dogs?

[FloridaHen13]

Ive been contemplating getting a rooster for my flock of 24 hens ... mainly as protection from hawks etc. One of my main concerns is we have 2 weiner dogs, that sometime will run after a chicken if they get spooked by something ... not aggressive just playing ... they never do more than smell the hens ... no touching. I’m wondering if this might trigger a rooster to attack them? Does anyone have experience with smaller dogs and roosters? I’ve been trying to curb the dogs behavior, but as I’m sure anyone who’s ever owned a weiner dog they aren’t the best listeners. Would removing the spurs prevent possible dog injuries?

 

[sourland]

The instinct of good flock roosters is to make an attempt at protecting their hens. Most likely a rooster would flog your dogs.

 

[RWise]

I have roosters and Rat Terriers, the roosters will certainly tell the dogs to keep their distance, not that the dog/s listens.
I had a nice large BA rooster, he did not like my dog (the bigger boy) getting close to his hens. One fine day he did peck the dog as he walked by, the dog moved on/ But the rooster did it again, and the dog turned to fight, at this time I knew I had a dead rooster. But my good boy only put him in his place and moved on. This happened 1 more time and the rooster left the dog alone, though he would acted like he wanted to flog the dog he did not.
I saw a cockerel do a peck on one of the smaller dogs, the dog took note this time, next time he may turn and tell the cockerel to leave him alone.
Good luck!

 

[chickens really]

I have a Yorkshire terrier that is trained to wrangle my Birds. My Huge Rooster has never attacked her ever. It depends on the Rooster and the Dogs.

 

[aart]

mainly as protection from hawks etc.

Not sure I'd count on a cock/erel protecting your flock from hawks.
They may get good at warning the flock, but often they are hiding from the hawk too or are just a speed bump/appetizer on the way to the buffet.

Any dog can be trained to obey, not all dog owners can be trained to command.
Same goes for male livestock...
....can be tricky to keep them and might be more trouble than it's worth.

 

[TLHloveschicks]

Ive been contemplating getting a rooster for my flock of 24 hens ... mainly as protection from hawks etc. One of my main concerns is we have 2 weiner dogs, that sometime will run after a chicken if they get spooked by something ... not aggressive just playing ... they never do more than smell the hens ... no touching. I’m wondering if this might trigger a rooster to attack them? Does anyone have experience with smaller dogs and roosters? I’ve been trying to curb the dogs behavior, but as I’m sure anyone who’s ever owned a weiner dog they aren’t the best listeners. Would removing the spurs prevent possible dog injuries?

Love me some dachshundsThey are the best, except when they chase the chickens

 

[Firefoot]

FWIW my roo just saved the flock from a red tailed hawk the other day, sustaining some lost feathers and a cut on the comb. After the hawk left, he huddled them all under a dense pieris. It was just a little before sundown and I watched him very carefully move the flock closer to the coop and then get them all in before going in himself. So far, he is the best roo I've had -- a 9 month old EE.

That said, I don't count on him to protect them all the time. They've since been locked in the run because the red tailed hawks are a nesting pair nearby Also, I only have 6 hens -- 24 would be a lot for one roo to wrangle in case of a predator and it'll take time for them to all bond and move as a flock as some assertive hens will surely try to reject him.

I don't have experience with roosters and small dogs but an old roo of mine -- also a very good boy -- went after my large-ish cat a few times as she tried to sit with me in the coop. Certainly taught her to never go near the chickens, though she is the biggest wuss ever and didn't really need to 'learn' that lol. Like someone above said, it depends on the dogs and the roosters. My mom has a doxie mix who is spoiled and basically feral. I can totally see that dog getting pecked and then ripping the roo to shreds. Similarly, I have a pit/basenji who has never been pecked and remains very wary of the birds even after 4+ years of chicken exposure. I have an Aussie/Catahoula, also, and use a training collar on her that can shock, beep, and vibrate. I mostly use it for trail running and when they ride with me but it was also helpful with chicken introductions, especially as she doesn't see baby chickens as the same as grown ones and thought they were super fun to try chase (through the fence). I almost never have to shock her, she responds just as well to the vibrate.

So, tl;dr: it depends on the roo and dog, and you might need to be aggressive with your dog training.