What kind of dog is good around chickens?

[MeghanB]

I have two yellow labs that I am having to part with because I just can't keep them out of the chickens. But I want a family dog. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good family pet, likes the water, good with kids, smart and easy to train and WON'T EAT MY CHICKENS!!??

I appreciate your input.

Meghan

 

[BellLisamo]

oh how crazy, i have a black lab and she kisses the chickens..... lol.

NO shes not tasting them LOL

When i had chicks in a kennel brooder, she climbing in there with them. HHahhaa

 

[BellLisamo]

Border Collie and Aussies are very very smart, but the aussies can be stubborn and cause trouble if not given a job everyday

 

[MudPie]

It pretty much depends on the dog's training. I have a yellow lab. He caused a little problem when the chicks were young, but some training fixed that. Now I leave the birds free range w/ the dog while at work, and have no problems. However, if your labs were trained to hunt from pups, breaking them of that training could be tough, or impossible.

 

[The Chicken People]

My german shephard is four years old and we just got chicks 14 weeks ago! He learned fast that they are our pets not food! Its all about the training!!

 

[MeghanB]

Okay lab owners, any suggestions on training then? I have had them since puppies and have not trained them to hunt the birds, I just thought it was in their nature...

 

[PeepsInc]

Get a shock collar. When the dog chases the chickens,Say BAD & zap it. Eventually it will relate chasing chickens to being zapped.(works with dogs that chase deer too) I put electric fence around my coop to teach my adopted beagle it's not OK to jump on the chicken fence. It also helped to put a bird in the pet taxi,and bring it in the house for a few days. Let the dog get used to them. When the dog is behaving give it attention,pet it & let it know it's on the rite track. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Skamaghetten]

I have a French bulldog and Boston Terrier/Pug mix. The Frenchie is great with people kids and loves to go swimming, but if she gets water in her ears she sinks. However, she will chase and try to eat anything with fur or feathers. The Boston Terrier/Pug mix is great around everyone and everything, although he not fond of water. I think the answer your going to get from many people is that, “it depends on the individual dog”.

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
We are going to have to do this with our boxer (1). She's a chicken killer. We have to keep the chickens and she far away from each other.

Our rotti (9) loves the chicks. She couldn't care less about the grown ones, but the babies - Loves them!!!(see avatar)

Our chow mix (12) couldn't care less one way or the other.

Our new baby boy Mongo (some of you may have seen his mug up here before) he also couldn't care less. He has tried to "herd" the ducks once but it didn't go well - the ducks are NOT cooperative! Mongo is 4 1/2 months old.

ETA - I think it has to do with personality more than breed.

 

[Jeox]

A teacup chihuahua probably wouldn't be much of a threat.