Lucky is only 3 or so (he is a rescue) and the most OCD dog I've ever known. I'll be VERY careful until they are almost grown. I like the comments about him being your predator check. I hope we don't have any deaths. My plan is to keep them separate for several weeks. I think I may need a degree of luck. (no pun intended)
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He might not. Another reason I chose the bathroom was the door opening OUT, so no little pushing paws (of my doxie) could push the door open when I wasn't around. He NEVER got to go in there to look at the chicks after the first visit.
Once the chicks were outside, my Zorro could not stop barking at them, whining and running back and forth along the run fencing. He became my "predator check" for loose fencing, holes, any places a predator might get into the run. When Zorro found such a weakness, I would repair it.
He still managed to kill 3 young pullets when they were at the awkward few weeks old stage.
After a WHOLE lot of work with him, he leaves the full grown chickens alone. (It helped when the rooster took him on! And then when the two ducks got bigger and ALSO nipped him.) I must be absolutely vigilant when I have chicks under 12 weeks of age (or that size). The bantam breeds got a whole lot of his attention until the rooster convinced him those little birds were under his protection too.
I have a second doxie who absolutely AVOIDS the chickens at all costs. He's heard me screaming at Zorro, hosing him with a tight stream of water, chasing him and dragging his little butt back into the house. Dooley doesn't want that kind of attention at all. (Zorro is 12, Dooley is 3.)
Good luck with yours!! I can say NOW, after a LOT of work, that the only thing Zorro really wants is whatever treat I've given the chickens. He's a greedy thief.
Quote:
He might not. Another reason I chose the bathroom was the door opening OUT, so no little pushing paws (of my doxie) could push the door open when I wasn't around. He NEVER got to go in there to look at the chicks after the first visit.
Once the chicks were outside, my Zorro could not stop barking at them, whining and running back and forth along the run fencing. He became my "predator check" for loose fencing, holes, any places a predator might get into the run. When Zorro found such a weakness, I would repair it.
He still managed to kill 3 young pullets when they were at the awkward few weeks old stage.
After a WHOLE lot of work with him, he leaves the full grown chickens alone. (It helped when the rooster took him on! And then when the two ducks got bigger and ALSO nipped him.) I must be absolutely vigilant when I have chicks under 12 weeks of age (or that size). The bantam breeds got a whole lot of his attention until the rooster convinced him those little birds were under his protection too.
I have a second doxie who absolutely AVOIDS the chickens at all costs. He's heard me screaming at Zorro, hosing him with a tight stream of water, chasing him and dragging his little butt back into the house. Dooley doesn't want that kind of attention at all. (Zorro is 12, Dooley is 3.)
Good luck with yours!! I can say NOW, after a LOT of work, that the only thing Zorro really wants is whatever treat I've given the chickens. He's a greedy thief.
