What is it about chickens that bring out the beast.....?

[radiodog]

I have an 11 yr old aussie that has never showed any aggression or predatory instinct in her life. But the other day she went through the fence...no over, but through...and chased down a few of my chickens. She caught the production red in her mouth and hauled butt around the corner of the house with me in hot pursuit. I had a ss feeding dish in hand..aimed it at her and bounced it off her head. She dropped the chicken - I grabbed my dog & took her back inside. I later found the hen under a bush - shaken but unharmed. Only a few ruffled feathers. Obviously my dog had a grip on the hen but didn't bite down enough to harm the hen....thank goodness. Was it just the thrill of the chase or is there something about chickens that brings out the breast in animals?

 

[patyrdz]

I think it is the quick movements of the chickens! Maybe her prey drive just showed itself if she has not been around small quick moving animals before!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
That and some dogs around that age start to get senile. I'd watch her from now on. I know you can't get rid of her...she's family, right. Just do her a favor and yourself and keep a closer eye on her around them chickies.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

It WAS the thrill of the chase. Your dog is a herding dog. Their instinct is ...HERD, HERD, HERD! The movement of the chickens just got to her brain.

 

[nzpouter]

a squawking flapping chicken usually trigger the chase instinct...

 

[radiodog]

She's a good girl and yes she is family. She has never had drive in her. Wont even chase a tennis ball. Maybe her being in the backyard and my being over at the chicken yard was just too much for her. Thanks goodness she has a soft mouth. I'll have enough to worry about come spring with wild predators!

 

[FaereChicken]

Chickens are food, and easy prey. They've been bred for that for centuries, and to a predator, even one with layers of conditioning, they are just too tempting. My dog doesn't grab (so far), but she loves to chase them. They scream and squawk and flap - too much fun!

We tend to see them as our friends, but make no mistake, not everyone sees things the way we do!

 

[kota1369]

Quote:
I am with Birdaholic! That is exactly what your dog did was herd it......... then you went after it so he ran. Chickens do not bring out the worst in dogs. They are just different and the waddle and make strange noices. You most likely can work with your dog on leash and teach him to ignore the chickens. It takes some time and commitment but is so worth it. My 6 1/2 month old german shepherd puppy for the first time today showed protective instinct for the chickens. It was adorable.

The lady with 4 dogs and 4 city chickens

 

[scooter147]

I guess I'm lucky in 40+ years of have numerous dogs and probably thousands of chickens I have never had a dog go after my chickens. I have had many different breeds and mixes of dogs.
Puppies are easy to train, they show any interest in chasing the birds they get a good swat on the butt and their told MINE. With older dogs I have adopted I walk by the run with them on leash and even if they look at the birds I yank on the leach and their told MINE.
Honestly that's all I have ever done and never lost a bird to my own dog. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I think your dog maybe just had a "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE MOMENT". Sounds like it was the first time and if she's smart she knows she did wrong

 

[mikeksfarmer]

The Squeeky toy was invented because of the chicken. It has what chickens have except it dosent run. Aussies are smart; if your dog isnt in charge of you, you should be able to train it to not touch chickens.