In my last post about our pet chickens I encouraged others to raise some backyard chickens of their own, but didn't give any further advice. I am relatively new to raising chickens, so I am posting an article from someone who has more experience - Dr. Susan Wright, DVM.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Wright is also an expert on a topic that I know nothing about - dogs. Since many dog owners are afraid to try their hand at raising chickens, this article is perfect. Thank you Dr. Wright!
Chicken Friendly Dogs, Yes it is Possible!
Encouraging Harmony
Almost overnight backyard chickens have become a trend. Eager fans of organic living and those seeking to homestead their urban and suburban homes flock to local farms to purchase chicks or layers, build or order dollhouse looking coops and find ways to conceal their farming operations pending changes to their city code.
Backyard chickens will help with managing garden pests, will fertilize your turf for free and will give you endless hours of entertainment with their antics and friendly disposition. After twenty or so weeks of patiently waiting you will be rewarded with daily eggs with minimal ongoing investment.
The most common question I receive from novice and potential backyard chicken farmers relates to the training and adaptation of dogs to avoid prey-driven and play-driven injuries or fatalities. If you are getting ready to embark on this adventure we have a few suggestions to help you in creating a shared Nirvana for your pup and chicks.
Selecting Your Chicken Breed
Most often than not the chicks will come after the dog. To improve the chances of harmonious living select a breed that is tame with minimal tendencies toward aggression or territorial behavior.
If You Are a Novice, Avoid babies
Chicks are delicate, squirmy, quick to move and more likely to awaken the pray instinct of our dogs. If you are new to backyard chicken farming consider introducing an older layer. We recommend 20 to 30 weeks old animals.
Facilitate Meet & Greet
The first encounter should be highly controlled. Utilize the fence approach by placing the chicken in a contained area and allowing the dog to sniff. Praise friendly behavior and quickly correct growling, pawing and other prey or play roughness. Avoid using a leash to reduce stress on the dog.
Divide & Conquer
Position a wireless invisible fence with a perimeter that separates the play area for the dog from the free-ranging area for the chickens.
Retrieving Breeds
If your dog has a highly developed retriever instinct, it is also very likely to have a very soft mouth. During the first few weeks consider the usage of a Kevlar saddle for your chicken. If the dog does decide to pick up the chicken the saddle will protect it from injuries
Harmony is achieved when the dog owner is consistent in love and discipline. The dog must understand that the chickens are members of the pack and you are the Alpha to all. Chickens are not toys and finally chickens have exclusive territory.
Article by Dr. Susan Wright DVM, author of numerous dog care articles and lead expert at Dog Fence DIY the dog containment system experts. Susan has over ten years of experience in veterinary practice and is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.
This is very good advice and quite timely. We don't have chickens (yet) but our neighbors do and sometimes they venture into our fenced in yard. Since they are frequent visitors, I acquainted them slowly with our lab, Bradie. Now she just follows them calmly around the yard.
Posted by: GrafixMuse | March 24, 2011 at 07:59 AM
We love our dog...we love our chickens...but we don't let the two get together...I'm more afraid of the chickens running away and the dog chasing and losing them all over the neighborhood.
Posted by: Citysister | March 24, 2011 at 09:59 AM
Thank you for the comments.
I don't let our chickens out either because we only have a small yard and for their safety, but I do know many people who do let their chickens roam and who have dogs. I always wondered how that worked out, which is why I liked this article by Dr. Wright.
- Marc
Posted by: Marc | March 24, 2011 at 11:43 AM
I have 5 layers and a rooster, we bought them last april, I also run a small animal rescue, which I have 13 large bully breed dogs, when we started,we had a little coop and I aded a 4x5 chain kennel and attached to coop placed a top in the fenced area, and this was all place in a 20x20 garnden area(with a hot wire fence around the area, (I wasn't sure what might happen) the hotbox is solor power incase we lose power ad still have dogs going in and ou to poop. It worked fine, but we desided to cover a 10x10 kennel, and placed the coop and hay inthere and a few heat lamps for these NC winter nights, the chickens are very happy, they are covered and not worried about the animals, th wind isn't an issue and I think they will be happy as they can be once I put some perches in there, right now they just sit on crates or the old plastic kennel I have out there. I am very interested in getting some more birds this spring and possible do up another kennel ad raise ducks, I do have one big ?,I know ppl give chickens leftovers or scraps, can anyone tell me what's ok for them and what's not? Please email me with any info at [email protected]. thanks so much
Posted by: tara | November 23, 2012 at 02:45 PM