Suicidal Chicken...

[SportTees]

I have a very friendly Partridge Rock Hen and every time I open the tractor she flies up to roost right in front of me ( she likes being petted). Lately she will be roosting on top of the tractor and when she sees the dog will fly into its mouth. The dog doesn't hurt her- he just kinda holds her until I get her. I put her up and then she will do it again! Any ideas on this strange behavior?

 

[JennsPeeps]

Animal behavior is usually based on rewards. Is she somehow being "rewarded" for doing this? You said that she likes being picked up...do you pick her up when the dog has her?

This really is strange!

 

[horsejody]

My silkie, Poofhead, ran out of the coop once and stuck his head right in the dog's mouth too. Thankfully, the dog considers the chickes his to protect, not eat.

 

[lockedhearts]

Thank God my chickens don't stick their heads and or bodies in my dogs mouths, having Jack Russels all I would have is a bunch of dogs full of chicken......

 

[bluey]

I wouldn't mind seeing a video of that....how cute!

 

[SportTees]

Quote:

Thats what I was afraid of

 

[pixiechick]

It would scare my dog to death if chickens started flying into her mouth!

 

[AngieChick]

My doggies say they want to go to your house for a playdate, but they won't say why

I am sure they just want to be supportive of your poor puppy through these vicious chicken attacks.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Leo was very upset when Poofhead stuck his head in his mouth. He now doesn't trust him and has snarled at Poof and the 3 white hens he hangs out with. I think he thought Poof was attacking, but quicky figured out that the chicken was just stupid.

I have a red sex-link with no common sense also. My neighbor came over with her lab and burmese mtn dog. Princess charged down the driveway at them with her neck sticking out like she was going after food. The dogs were on a leash and had looks on their faces that seemed to say, "Your kidding us, right?" I think the hen was actually coming to me and the neighbor because she associates us with treats, but it looked like she was going to attack the dogs. I did manage to divert her before anything bad happened.

I think that the only drawback to tame chickens is that they loose some of their survival instincts.

 

[JayBird+16]

I would love to see a photo of your dog with a live chicken in it's mouth! Chicken / Dog relations don't end that well at my house.