Tips for peacekeeping between dogs, cats, and the flock?

[Writingbug]

Hi We have 4 chickens - about 6 weeks in age. We moved them outside last week and they seem to be loving their coop. We got a pre-built coop for this first year and then put fencing around it. It's 8 ft by 6 foot - so they have the coop then additional space during the day. The fencing around is chainlink with chicken wire about half way up (and a foot under ground). It ain't pretty but for this first year it works.

Our dilemma is two fold.

1) The dogs. We have 3 dogs that also roam the yard. The oldest is good and will look at the chickens but doesn't have the "Yum! Dinner AND a show" look that the other two have. Maybe it's because the other 2 are younger (border collie 8 mos and a shephard mix of 5 yrs). They both want to charge the fence and seem VERY interested. Not sure how to get them to calm down. They mostly seem interested when we are in with the chickens. I watch them during the day and if they are in the yard themselves they could care less but when we are out there they want to follow and can't come in the enclosure for the chickens and it seems to make it more interesting.

2) The cats. So far the cats have left them alone but the top isn't covered. I figure chain link is nothing for cats and we have 4 of them - 3 of which have been known to bring birds and squirrels back. We don't have the top covered yet (it's the next step) but in the mean time and for the future... is there a way to teach them that chickens are not food? HA.

Any ideas on how to get them to co-mingle happily?

Thanks,
Willa

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I have never had a cat so I can not speak to that one but for dogs the key is training training training with tons of consistency. I would set aside an hour EVERY night to work with the dogs (seriously). Work with each dog individually at first and even work with the dog that seems fine.

Put the dog on a leash and walk out into the chicken area. Keep them on the leash and introduce them to the birds. Then sit and be very very calm. If at any point the dog shows ANY behavior other than calm ignoring then correct right away -- either with a command they are already familiar with or by removing the dog from the area and starting again. Make sure that at all times their body is relaxed. They can only sniff the birds if they are completely and totally relaxed. Otherwise no. Excitement, even happy excitement is a no. Rinse and repeat over and over, every night. Start adding more dogs once they are showing signs of consistent good behavior until you can have everyone out in the yard together and all parties are completely calm at all times. It is a process.

If you add any new birds to your flock later or add any new bird area like a new brooder or extra coop then do this process again. (it should be much easier and faster this second, third, whatever time)

If you are struggling feel free to PM me and I can give you some impulse control exercises to work on that may help overall behavior.

Good luck!!

 

[TaysChicks]

haha We forced it onto the dog here. He's a big one, wanted chicken dinner. But, made him lay next to me and set the chicks on him. Did this everyday and told him NO BE NICE everytime he went to "taste" them. He eventually broke of it. Tho, does get excited when the chickens get spooked by something and spread wings and fly... he gets that chase reaction. Tho, I'm more worried he'll trample them vs eating them. Maybe with the fence being able to see them, it'll ease after a while But, with 3 dogs, they may have a pack kill type reaction. Like if ones gets excited for a squirrel they all will. Cats I'm not sure. Good Luck!

 

[TaysChicks]

Also so everyone knows... I always sat right there with one hand on his collar. The chicks were never in any danger . I know my dog, I know his limits. I don't suggest throwing helpless chicks onto a dog with uncontrollable negative behavior towards chicks. My dogs thought process was ... it runs, smaller... like squirrels ... I eat or chase and trample! But, had to show him they were family. Also can let my parakeet fly around with ease of knowing my dog will not eat him. even sits on his head. Also trained him with that one too. He put him in his mouth first day he flew out of his box.

 

[warmheart]

Although there are exceptions, oftentimes animals from the same household/homestead get along, as they seem to sense they all belong to the same clan. ChickensRDinos gave excellent guidance in teaching the dogs to be calm around the chickens. Dogs remember what emotional state they were in when around livestock the prior times, so setting up a routine of feeling "Ho-hum..." is great for excitable dogs. Never reward with treats a dog who's anxious or overstimulated, even if they're sitting nicely while whining/trembling/staring at the hens, because you aren't rewarding just behavior (sitting) but also state of mind (overexcited). Reward verbally with soothing, not excited, praise. Pretend your voice is stroking your dog gently: "Fiiiiine....." (or "Gooooood..." whatever word you use)

You can also use a Patricia McConnell method which is very effective, called "body blocking." You simply put yourself directly between the "Oooh, I want, I want!" dog and the hens, and project your energy very firmly toward the dog, as if to say: "Mine." Dogs do this with each other, to claim space, a bone, a bed/resting spot, toy, or any resource. Dogs understand this instinctually, and it takes the wind out of their sails when they're all excited to: bark out the front window "Can't have the front window, it's Mine." Or to jump up on guests: "Can't have the guest, it's Mine." or to chase the new kitten "Mine." etc.

With the cats, I'm not sure how old your hens are, but once they're not little chicks anymore and are no longer peeping, they likely would be safe. Peeping chicks are tempting to many predators. If the fence has no solid top, if it's simply wire or netting, the cats may not be willing to try to leap over it.

Here's our peaceable kingdom-- all free-range calmly and happily. (Note: stronger methods were needed for our dog, as he's an extreme, highly intense, drivey, overexcitable workingline dog from police lines, but only just two strong corrections and the above simple body-block methods was all it took for him to completely
r-e-l-a-x and be totally calm & trustworthy around our chickens)

A lettuce party! Note Smokey the fluffy cat relaxing happily with the flock...

(they voted to elect him an "Honorary Blue Silkie!")

Here's everybody-- Smokey, the chickens, Grimm our shepherd, all relaxing.. except that Grimmi wants some lettuce, too!

Wishing you super luck with your critters and your flock!

 

[amaya12399]

I have 4 chickens and two cats. When I first got the chickens my cats were always after them. Not when they were in the coop and fenced in, but when I let them free range. My cats soon learned that the chickens can fight back, so now if a cat chases them, they will chase the cat right back.

 

[Writingbug]

Oh no! No throwing them together! Ha! but that makes sense if you know your pup. I think mine will calm down as they have gotten used to the cats. It just takes time, right?

 

[warmheart]

Yes, it takes time-- but you set the tone. Right now, they think that you going into the pen means excitement... and they're catching the "yippee!" vibe from the hens, who anticipate snacks, chores, egg-collecting, whatever. If you felt so inclined, why not set a lawnchair in the chicken pen, bundle up, and.... go into the pen and read a good novel for a bit? Even 10 minutes. You will soon teach the chickens, and the dogs, to not anticipate any hoopla, just calm and boring as you read the latest Fern Michaels. Just a thought. Okay, a weird, chilly thought.. but hey, it's training an emotional response that you want, right?

 

[4 the Birds]

Although there are exceptions, oftentimes animals from the same household/homestead get along, as they seem to sense they all belong to the same clan. ChickensRDinos gave excellent guidance in teaching the dogs to be calm around the chickens. Dogs remember what emotional state they were in when around livestock the prior times, so setting up a routine of feeling "Ho-hum..." is great for excitable dogs. Never reward with treats a dog who's anxious or overstimulated, even if they're sitting nicely while whining/trembling/staring at the hens, because you aren't rewarding just behavior (sitting) but also state of mind (overexcited). Reward verbally with soothing, not excited, praise. Pretend your voice is stroking your dog gently: "Fiiiiine....." (or "Gooooood..." whatever word you use)

You can also use a Patricia McConnell method which is very effective, called "body blocking." You simply put yourself directly between the "Oooh, I want, I want!" dog and the hens, and project your energy very firmly toward the dog, as if to say: "Mine." Dogs do this with each other, to claim space, a bone, a bed/resting spot, toy, or any resource. Dogs understand this instinctually, and it takes the wind out of their sails when they're all excited to: bark out the front window "Can't have the front window, it's Mine." Or to jump up on guests: "Can't have the guest, it's Mine." or to chase the new kitten "Mine." etc.

With the cats, I'm not sure how old your hens are, but once they're not little chicks anymore and are no longer peeping, they likely would be safe. Peeping chicks are tempting to many predators. If the fence has no solid top, if it's simply wire or netting, the cats may not be willing to try to leap over it.

Here's our peaceable kingdom-- all free-range calmly and happily. (Note: stronger methods were needed for our dog, as he's an extreme, highly intense, drivey, overexcitable workingline dog from police lines, but only just two strong corrections and the above simple body-block methods was all it took for him to completely
r-e-l-a-x and be totally calm & trustworthy around our chickens)

A lettuce party! Note Smokey the fluffy cat relaxing happily with the flock...

(they voted to elect him an "Honorary Blue Silkie!")

Here's everybody-- Smokey, the chickens, Grimm our shepherd, all relaxing.. except that Grimmi wants some lettuce, too!

Wishing you super luck with your critters and your flock!

Great Pictures and post!

Animals get use to each other over time and can coexist somewhat in harmony. Precautions have to be taken all the time since their natural instincts can take over at any time. It takes many generations before a genetic instinct can be successfully altered from an animal. Some tiger and lion trainers learn this the hard way when the think they have tamed their animals and let their guard down.

 

[TaysChicks]

warmheart... Is that a type of ragdoll breed cat? He also didn't mind the chickens. But, those breeds usually are too friendly. Wouldn't chase a mouse! Only spiders for a second til bored. Beautiful dog too.
I agree, once my dog knew I was really serious about my chicks, bird, kids... He didn't cross that line. He knows too that those are different from the birds outside. As I allowed them to walk and lay on him. But, I did throw myself and assert sturn-ness when at first he misbehaved, or tried to, or looked like he wanted to haha. When a pup he nipped, but, quickly learned how I was the boss and what said goes. If I was ok with the chicks... He was. Took lil time, but he loves em now. Even gets a good scratching too. Was funny how the chickens would get spooked and jump at him to fight... His look was priceless.
I actually have a pic of them older and sitting on him. But, this will have to do. He was still somewhat curious, but, broken by this point. Don't mind the hair ball, just brushed him!