Texas

[NinasNest]

I believe dogs can live in harmony with chickens, eventually. Some dogs are harder to train, and some dogs are untrainable. Our boxer is gentle, great with the kids, and other dogs but when he sees a smaller animal he has the chase jitters.
Two of our instances have been because the chickens gate has been left open.
The time our speckled was killed was because I let him out now knowing the chickens were roaming.

We now have a sign on the back door to show if the chickens are out or in.

 

[kajira]

I posted this on my phone but it didn't appear. So sorry if this is duplicated:

We have 2 female dogs, one Austrailian Shephard mix and one Jack Russell mix. The Aussie S. went after our guinnies when we first got them, she killed 2. We did the "tie the dead bird to her collar and chain her" routine for 2 days. Now before you scream, understand that I HATE to chain a dog, it's cruel, but I felt she HAD to understand how bad this was. We then ignored her except for her food and water, I think this park killed her more than anything else. After that, when the dogs would even LOOK at the ducks we would shoot a pistol in the air.

In the beginning of their training with our ducks, I let them know in NO uncertain terms that they were not to mess with the ducks. I was VERY rough on them, but I hoped that by being really rough they would get the message the first time, they did. I used Cesar Mellon method of taking them down to the ground and holding them there while loudly scolding them. So far so good, my dogs are 9 and 7 years old. They have never gone after the ducks. The Aussie mix never went after another bird after she carried that dead bird for 2 days and was chained!

We used shock collars as well, but unfortunately they become "trained to the collar". If they don't have the collar on they won't behave.

Good luck, this is a hard one to break.

Mine obey with the collar, but didn't have it on at the time of the chicken attack. they KNEW better though, they all hung their head in guilt after it was over, but in the heat of the moment, it was just too much for them.

My daughter won't forgive them, but it was partially the chickens fault for intentionally escaping it's enclosed fenced area. We would use a pellet gun and my husband would shoot them in the butt (it wasn't a lethal round) anytime they'd run neaer their enclosure so they wouldn't know it was "us" correcting them. It taught them to leave the enclosure alone, which I was happy with, but my daughter's mad at me right now.

i don't blame her. It's sad her chicken died. Our dog ran off with the body into the woods, and wouldn't bring it back. When he came back, he put himself into his crate and won't come out now. He KNOWS he screwed up... and won't face me, but I know he'll do it again if he gets the chance.

My daughter is mad at me for having dogs more prone to going after livestock and having huge prey drives. I can understand her feelings. My partial attraction to these dogs, is how protective they are over humans... not chickens.

 

[MandyJ]

I didn't promise I'd get her a dog I could promise wouldn't kill a chicken, I promised I'd look into breeds that aren't as prey-driven as pitbulls. Being autistic, i'm VERY literal, and I won't make promises I can't keep. Looking into other breeds, I can do.

I've never been a fan of a lot of the non-bully breeds. Dobermans, Rottis, german shepards, bulldogs, mastiffs, are the breeds I've had.... getting more farm-safe/friendly dogs aren't usually dogs I think of when I think of a dog that makes me feel safe and comforted. However, living with others means I need to take their feelings about breeds into consideration, so that's what I promised her I would do. )

Any dog will bark to keep you safe. Even the little bitty ones. Someone usually won't come around when a dog is barking if they are trying to break in. So in that case, any dog will do. I would think looking into a "laid back" breed would help.

Good luck,
It's hard to make everyone's wishes come true, but it CAN be done!

 

[NinasNest]

Try the "tie the dead bird he killed to his collar and chain him up for a few days" trick. It worked for us. It does seem cruel but it promoted harmony at our place.

Good luck, don't give up, you can train him!

We did string her up and his collar and left him for about an hour, he knew he was in trouble. It seems he has the 'better to ask forgiveness than permission' mentality

When we started with the shock collar we dedicated "back" to keep him away from the chickens, it works pretty well. But like I said, when he chased this last one the gate was not locked and those little turds got out.

 

[MandyJ]

Mine obey with the collar, but didn't have it on at the time of the chicken attack. they KNEW better though, they all hung their head in guilt after it was over, but in the heat of the moment, it was just too much for them.

My daughter won't forgive them, but it was partially the chickens fault for intentionally escaping it's enclosed fenced area. We would use a pellet gun and my husband would shoot them in the butt (it wasn't a lethal round) anytime they'd run neaer their enclosure so they wouldn't know it was "us" correcting them. It taught them to leave the enclosure alone, which I was happy with, but my daughter's mad at me right now.

i don't blame her. It's sad her chicken died. Our dog ran off with the body into the woods, and wouldn't bring it back. When he came back, he put himself into his crate and won't come out now. He KNOWS he screwed up... and won't face me, but I know he'll do it again if he gets the chance.

My daughter is mad at me for having dogs more prone to going after livestock and having huge prey drives. I can understand her feelings. My partial attraction to these dogs, is how protective they are over humans... not chickens.

Unfortunately, she is going to have to learn (I don't know how old she is) that chickens do dumb things. There isn't much brain in the fowl world. It wasn't the chicken's fault for escaping, they saw an open door and took it, it wasn't the dog's fault for chasing what it thought was prey. It was just an unfortunate event.

It is extremely hard to loose a pet, I have lost 4 of my 7 ducks this past week to predators. It hurts, but you have to move on, she will have to learn this. I understand that children's feelings are tinder but if she is going to have chickens, she will have to learn they are on the bottom of the food chain. EVERYTHING will be after them

Good luck, my heart goes out to you!
Mandy

 

[kajira]

Any dog will bark to keep you safe. Even the little bitty ones. Someone usually won't come around when a dog is barking if they are trying to break in. So in that case, any dog will do. I would think looking into a "laid back" breed would help.

Good luck,
It's hard to make everyone's wishes come true, but it CAN be done!

I live on the border, literally, where illegals cross with out a big dog who is scary enough to deter them. A small barking dog won't cut it here.

I would prefer not to keep a loaded gun handy.

 

[MandyJ]

I live on the border, literally, where illegals cross with out a big dog who is scary enough to deter them. A small barking dog won't cut it here.

I would prefer not to keep a loaded gun handy.

I agree, we keep one loaded and ready. We live in the boonies and right now I am battling coyotes and bobcats that are after my ducks!

I understand about the "big dog" I have had shepherds and I believe there is NO better dog. I love the intelligence of a German Shepherd, but some people can't handle a big dog, they HAVE to be trained. Some people don't know how. An untrained German Shepherd is a dangerous dog!

Mandy

 

[kajira]

Unfortunately, she is going to have to learn (I don't know how old she is) that chickens do dumb things. There isn't much brain in the fowl world. It wasn't the chicken's fault for escaping, they saw an open door and took it, it wasn't the dog's fault for chasing what it thought was prey. It was just an unfortunate event.

It is extremely hard to loose a pet, I have lost 4 of my 7 ducks this past week to predators. It hurts, but you have to move on, she will have to learn this. I understand that children's feelings are tinder but if she is going to have chickens, she will have to learn they are on the bottom of the food chain. EVERYTHING will be after them

Good luck, my heart goes out to you!
Mandy

My daughter has lost multiple animals. Including her other roosters.... but they didn't have 3 dogs rip them to shreds in front of her. That was a little traumatic, compared to an animal being put to sleep by the vet, or dying with out being mauled and maimed in front of her.

Frankly, seeing my dogs do that in front of *me* would have traumatized me, so I can understand her feelings. My german shepard I grew up with killed my chickens when someone forgot to shut a gate and he got into our barn.... I didn't eat chicken for 10 years because it traumatized me so bad - so I can understand my daughters feelings. And I didn't SEE him do it, I just came home to the bloody mess when he was done with it. So, imagine what she felt not being able to get the dogs to stop with their "fun" in the heat of the moment... Yeah, it sucks. But it does happen.

Chickens aren't very bright, and dogs are natural predators of them.

 

[MandyJ]

My daughter has lost multiple animals. Including her other roosters.... but they didn't have 3 dogs rip them to shreds in front of her. That was a little traumatic, compared to an animal being put to sleep by the vet, or dying with out being mauled and maimed in front of her.

Frankly, seeing my dogs do that in front of *me* would have traumatized me, so I can understand her feelings. My german shepard I grew up with killed my chickens when someone forgot to shut a gate and he got into our barn.... I didn't eat chicken for 10 years because it traumatized me so bad - so I can understand my daughters feelings. And I didn't SEE him do it, I just came home to the bloody mess when he was done with it. So, imagine what she felt not being able to get the dogs to stop with their "fun" in the heat of the moment... Yeah, it sucks. But it does happen.

Chickens aren't very bright, and dogs are natural predators of them.

Unfortunately, it will just take time, My heart goes out to you! I have seen this as well, and it is upsetting! Anytime you loose a pet it's upsetting, but I understand, that this was extremely traumatic for her. But she will work through it, but it WILL take time!

Good luck!
Mandy

 

[SlipsWife]

Mine obey with the collar, but didn't have it on at the time of the chicken attack. they KNEW better though, they all hung their head in guilt after it was over, but in the heat of the moment, it was just too much for them.

My daughter won't forgive them, but it was partially the chickens fault for intentionally escaping it's enclosed fenced area.  We would use a pellet gun and my husband would shoot them in the butt (it wasn't a lethal round) anytime they'd run neaer their enclosure so they wouldn't know it was "us" correcting them. It taught them to leave the enclosure alone, which I was happy with, but my daughter's mad at me right now.

i don't blame her. It's sad her chicken died.  Our dog ran off with the body into the woods, and wouldn't bring it back. When he came back, he put himself into his crate and won't come out now. He KNOWS he screwed up... and won't face me, but I know he'll do it again if he gets the chance.

My daughter is mad at me for having dogs more prone to going after livestock and having huge prey drives. I can understand her feelings. My partial attraction to these dogs, is how protective they are over humans... not chickens.

We have Danes and 2 chihuahua mixes. The two little dogs don't pay any attention to the chickens and one of the Danes would probably ignore them but the others would love me forever if I let them in the run...

I'm not sure if it's an option or not but to help avoid chickens getting out in the future, could you do a 'storm entry' into your run/coop. It doesn't have to be a large area, maybe 4ft x4ft x 6ft tall, completely closed in with chicken wire, top too. It's only to catch any chickens that might get out as you're coming/going. As long as your daughter makes sure to close the entry door each time before entering the coop or run and then repeats on the way out, any chicken that slips by will be contained and easily directed back in. You could reinforce it with something stronger than chicken wire if you feel that your dog will really push at getting to it but more than likely something simple and inexpensive will work for what you need it for. It's not predator proof or made to leave the chickens hanging out in, just a little something to keep a 'good dog' good.

There are breeds that are less prey driven but there's just something about a flapping bird that most individuals can't ignore. It's just 'easier' (less heartbreaking) to secure the chickens in a way that works for all family members. Good luck!