Will My Dog Eat My Chickens?
Yes, Dogs and Chickens Can Get Along
Many dogs will kill chickens and it's best to keep your flock fully protected against an unwelcome visit from Butch next door, but what about your own dogs? Can your dog be turned out with your chickens without fear of feathers flying?
When I got my first hens, I had their pen completely separate from my dogs, never dreaming that they'd be able to cohabitate peaceably. Two years later, my 15 chickens, two dogs and three cats were still getting along just fine. A little patience on my part ended up saving time and headaches down the road.
Proper introductions are important
My first feathered friends were six older pullets that were just coming into lay and my dogs showed a definite interest in them - whether it was normal curiosity or hope of a tasty meal, I'm not sure. Being new to chicken-keeping, I spent a lot of time outside with the girls and my dogs were never far from my side. I made sure to talk to Molly and Jethro as I worked around the chickens, training their focus on me rather than the birds. I'd often pick up one of the hens for the dogs to sniff and check out, making sure I had a good grip should either of the dogs get overly excited. I kept talking to the dogs in a soft, praising voice and if they got too excited or nippy, switched to a stern voice.
I started to let the chickens into the big yard for short periods as long as I was there to remove the dogs if necessary. I made sure I was in a position to get between the dogs and chickens should the dogs decide to give chase, giving the chickens enough time to get to safety before becoming lunch. Before long, the novelty wore off and the chickens became just another part of the landscape.
Bringing home baby
Chicks were another matter entirely. I bought day-old chicks and housed them in a large storage container in the house until they were feathered enough to put outside. Since the dogs (and cats) had access to the chicks all day and night, I put the container inside a large wire dog crate to keep them safe from inquisitive housemates. Constant peeping and fluttering about kept the dogs interested, but they couldn't get to the goods. As I handled the chicks, I did much the same as with their older sisters outside - I'd pick them up and introduce each to the dogs, praising the pups throughout, and scolding them gently if they got too excited. Several weeks of daily interaction made it a matter of routine and while the dogs remained interested in the lively little critters, they no longer seemed to want to swallow them whole. Molly considered them her babies each spring and I'm sure will expect more chicks yearly.
Safety is paramount
Even though it got to the point where I felt my chickens were safe with my dogs outside, I never left them together when I wasn't home. Even the friendliest dog can give chase unexpectedly and once wings start flapping and the prey drive kicks in, there's often no stopping them. I have a large quince bush in the back yard that the chickens enjoyed hanging around, and it was equal distance to the bush or the coop from the middle of the yard. If the dogs did get antsy, the hens could seek refuge beneath the shrub or get to the coop before the dogs could overtake them.
It never became an issue with mine, but your flock needs to feel secure so make sure you have safety measures built in. Never allow your dogs full access to them without a way for your chickens to escape safely.
More from Marie Anne:
Straight Poop on Keeping Backyard Chickens
Keeping Chickens Cool in the Summer Heat
Things to Use for a Chicken Nest Box
When I got my first hens, I had their pen completely separate from my dogs, never dreaming that they'd be able to cohabitate peaceably. Two years later, my 15 chickens, two dogs and three cats were still getting along just fine. A little patience on my part ended up saving time and headaches down the road.
Proper introductions are important
My first feathered friends were six older pullets that were just coming into lay and my dogs showed a definite interest in them - whether it was normal curiosity or hope of a tasty meal, I'm not sure. Being new to chicken-keeping, I spent a lot of time outside with the girls and my dogs were never far from my side. I made sure to talk to Molly and Jethro as I worked around the chickens, training their focus on me rather than the birds. I'd often pick up one of the hens for the dogs to sniff and check out, making sure I had a good grip should either of the dogs get overly excited. I kept talking to the dogs in a soft, praising voice and if they got too excited or nippy, switched to a stern voice.
I started to let the chickens into the big yard for short periods as long as I was there to remove the dogs if necessary. I made sure I was in a position to get between the dogs and chickens should the dogs decide to give chase, giving the chickens enough time to get to safety before becoming lunch. Before long, the novelty wore off and the chickens became just another part of the landscape.
Bringing home baby
Chicks were another matter entirely. I bought day-old chicks and housed them in a large storage container in the house until they were feathered enough to put outside. Since the dogs (and cats) had access to the chicks all day and night, I put the container inside a large wire dog crate to keep them safe from inquisitive housemates. Constant peeping and fluttering about kept the dogs interested, but they couldn't get to the goods. As I handled the chicks, I did much the same as with their older sisters outside - I'd pick them up and introduce each to the dogs, praising the pups throughout, and scolding them gently if they got too excited. Several weeks of daily interaction made it a matter of routine and while the dogs remained interested in the lively little critters, they no longer seemed to want to swallow them whole. Molly considered them her babies each spring and I'm sure will expect more chicks yearly.
Safety is paramount
Even though it got to the point where I felt my chickens were safe with my dogs outside, I never left them together when I wasn't home. Even the friendliest dog can give chase unexpectedly and once wings start flapping and the prey drive kicks in, there's often no stopping them. I have a large quince bush in the back yard that the chickens enjoyed hanging around, and it was equal distance to the bush or the coop from the middle of the yard. If the dogs did get antsy, the hens could seek refuge beneath the shrub or get to the coop before the dogs could overtake them.
It never became an issue with mine, but your flock needs to feel secure so make sure you have safety measures built in. Never allow your dogs full access to them without a way for your chickens to escape safely.
More from Marie Anne:
Straight Poop on Keeping Backyard Chickens
Keeping Chickens Cool in the Summer Heat
Things to Use for a Chicken Nest Box
Published by Marie Anne St. Jean - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
A Top 1000 Content Producer for the last three years, Marie Anne is a retired U.S. Marine MSgt whose weapons of choice are now crochet hook and pen. When not writing for Yahoo! sites such as YCN! Voice... View profile
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49 Comments
Post a CommentSounds like your patience & focus paid off. Interesting, and lively reading.
Great article! Never had issues with dogs and chickens (dogs and rabbits... lets not even go there) but know that it happens.
7 years ago we had this Aspin and her 2 puppies..and my father used to have chickens too. One day we're off to church to attend recollection,but before we left we secure the fence. When we got home all the 7 chickens are killed by our dogs. Surprisingly the cage was destroyed by our dogs..my father was so angry that he kicked our dogs to learn their lessons, they didn't do it again tho!
my great pyrennese killed 7 lambs before I shot him
we got a new dog 4 years ago and had chickens before the new dog. I'd always done my best to keep them apart. but over the years they've had encounters and nothing bad to the point if we were outside I had no problem letting the dog run freely while the chickens were roaming free in the yard. I was even forced one day to put the dog in the same pen with the chickens and no problems then after 4 years the chickens were in their pen and the dog (yellow lab) was in hers and one of the chicken went over an 6 foot fence into the dog pen (which has happened before every once in awhile with no problems) but this time the dog attacked and killed her. My first mistake was to ever trust this dog in the first place the chickens had no fear of her they have lived and mingled for years. This is a mistake I will never make again !!! Please be careful
because even the dog you think you trust around the chicken may not be as trustworthy as you believe ! If you value your chickens be very careful !
We have 5 less chickens because of our new adult male dachshund. The first thing he did was to climb up (no kidding) our huge pine tree after one. Then if he got the chance (which he doesn't get anymore) he would chase them around trying to catch them. Eventually he killed 5 and layed beside them with no remorse as if to say "look what I've done for you! Prior to him coming to live with us our chickens free ranged with just an occasionally chasing from our female dachshund. Our lab ignores them even when they eat his food. I put the dachshunds on a leash and led them in the chicken yard and every time they seemed interested in the chickens I would snap the leash and say no. I'm still not brave enought to let the chickens free range with the dachshunds yet!
My weiner dog is a chicken killer. The pit bull, on the other hand, is as gentle as can be. Go figure.
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At any given time dogs will kill chickens without being driven by hunger. They just go on a killing spree. Don't tempt them if you vaule your chickens.
At any given time dogs will kill chickens without being driven by hunger. They just go on a killing spree. Don't tempt them if you vaule your chickens.
For me patience and consistency was key in getting an English Mastiff, AmStaff Pit, terrier mix, cockatiel, a peacock and a peahen to live together. Just like children, pets have to be taught that there are rules and boundaries that must be followed. They are smart, they can understand what you want from them...give them a little more credit let's not forget they have been domesticated for several hundred years.