Tradeoff in clipping wings?

[centrarchid]

I have trained dedicated chicken killers so can be done. I am not a proper dog trainer either so it can't be all that hard.

When protecting your birds, always think about trying to provide layers the bad guys must get through. Most important is a secure roost and locations to nest if free-ranging. With confined birds keep ground predators out with good design and construction of coop / run. I like to use electrified fencing well for two purposes; make so predator finds challenging your confinement gets pleasant zaps and, secondly provides a perimeter of uncertainty where entering general area of where birds are kept can get you zapped. The latter is particular important again free-ranging dogs. I also maintain live-traps in high traffic areas for varmints such as raccoons and opossums. Mixed flocks (includes adult roosters) with cover can cut losses to diurnal raptors. For me the chicken friendly dogs are a combination of warning system and enforcer that backup other layers and can sometimes deliver the death blow to baddies (i.e. opossums, raccoons and foxes). I do all plus check frequently on things during night.

 

[TimM]

I, too, am curious about specific suggestions for breaking the dog of her huge hunting interest in chickens. We bought a remote-controlled electric shock collar. I now let her out to run free several times a day, and every time she starts showing excessive interest in the chickens I press the button and give her a small shock. She seems to have gotten the idea quickly, just a few days. But that's with the collar on and me nearby. The real test will be when she is alone without the collar. So if anyone has experience in training a dog to not bother the chickens, I'd love some advice.

Tim

 

[centrarchid]

Thread in following link may provide some insight. Other parties provide much more detail specific to starting with adult dogs. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/426408/planned-livestock-guarding-dog-for-poultry My methods may prove to be more fluff and I am not a trained trainer.



Search for poster "dainera". She works with dogs very much like yours and has description of process well worked out.