Terriers and Chickens Can these two ever live together?

[Emzyyy]

We have Boston Terriers our male Winston is fine with them he's actually kinda afraid of the rooster but tries to lick him anyway course he's been raised w/ chicks/chickens/ducks his whole life. Patty is fine w/ them just jealous of all the table scraps they get and she doesn't and sits outside the run trying to get the scraps through the fence and when the chicken steals them she growls and barks and tries to bite them through the fence but not because she wants the chickens.

 

[Snap62]

I posted a story in this section a few weeks ago, that described how my Rat Terriers saved my chickens from a raccoon.

They barked loud and continuous enough to scare the coon up into the rafters of my tractor shed/chicken pen.

I went out found the coon in the rafters and disposed of him properly.

This same scenerio has happened since then with a possum.

My Rat Terriers are very protective of my chickens.

Terriers are "varment" dogs, and it's in their blood to chase and/or attack vermon, such as possums, skunks, and such.

The Red Nose Pit in the photo is the "Enforcer"

The chickens love him. They peck all around him, even under him at times

 

[currycomb]

i have always had rat terriers, now a rat terrier/blue heeler cross, year and a half old. she liked to chase to watch them scatter, now pays them no mind. i would tell her NO in a stern voice, she listened and learned. the old dog i have never even gave chickens a second look even when younger. they can be taught to leave em alone.

 

[kmakani]

These little guys are Chihuahua, Fox terrier, Ihasa Apso mixes. Everything was in balance before these little girls came here (cats, dogs and chicken all getting along together). I'll have make some decisions soon. The puppies are so cute and sweet natured it's going to be tough to decide

 

[BarkerChickens]

I have 3 dogs who are great with the chickens (though it took training and special attention). Our chickens can lay next to our dogs including our pit bull terrier mix. It all depends on the temperment of the dog itself. Our dogs know that the chickens are family, so they are not aggressive with them at all. However, if a crow flies into the yard, she's chasing it. (our other two dogs couldn't care less for any bird of any sort).

 

[carol f]

Yep my Lil' bit is already trained to behave pretty well....I have her heard them in for me...I think she thinks she's a sheep dog! Hope your Silky is okay soon!

My pup is just coming up on 9 months...I'm hoping e will be ok with baby chicks...

Yep my Lil' bit is already trained to behave pretty well....I have her heard them in for me...I think she thinks she's a sheep dog! Hope your Silky is okay soon!

It is possible!

My Airedale/collie mix came of the street where he used to eat squirrels, pigeons, and anything he could catch. He used to attack me, strangers, and other dogs, unprovoked. After 7 years of stern training, he is a doll, and even plays with children.

I'm new to chickens this year, and I thought they would never be allowed to share the yard. I put the brooder on the floor to satisfy that terrier curiosity, and bit by bit his drooling mouth gave way to interest.

It truly comes down to the owner. If you are confident that you have the upper hand with your dog, it can be trained. If you let your dog walk all over you in every day life (like MANY small terrier owners do, in my observation) you can count on more disasters.

Happy training!

Love this.. I agree,I have had dogs ,cats,rabbits.ferrits , Ginni pigs ,and birds all interacting. Very funny...my fox terrier is all terrier...but he seems to want to play more than kill.... Hoping