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The Odd Couple: Chickens And Dogs

I get a lot of questions from new chicken owners about how to introduce their dogs and their chickens. They wonder if the two can ever co-exist in the same yard.

My answer would be: It depends. It depends on the training base that you have on your dog and it can depend on the dog's breed.

I've read various articles about how to introduce dogs and chickens and some of them say that "hopefully" your dog has good manners. There should be no question about those manners, or you may be looking at an injured--or dead--chicken.

Training Tips

I recently adopted a three-year-old border collie named Cadence (we call her Cadi). She is the litter-mate of our high-energy agility and herding dog, Ari. We raised Ari from a puppy, so she's been around chickens and ducks her whole life. Ari understands that she is not supposed to chase them. In fact, she mostly ignores the chickens, as do our three other older dogs.

I knew from Cadi's former owner that she had never been around chickens before, so when I began to introduce her to the chickens, I did so with caution and under controlled circumstances.

I started with basic training skills, such as down, sit, stay, and come here. We worked for a few weeks until I was sure I could call her away from the chickens at any time. That skill is vital when you are working with dogs and livestock of any kind.

Once we were sure of Cadi's ability to focus and obey my commands, I took her to the fence-line that divides the chicken pen from the rest of the yard. I worked on Cadi's training next to the chickens, and used lots of high-value treats to ensure she would focus on me and not the chickens.

Then it was time for the real test.

I got a pocket full of treats and put a leash on Cadi. We walked into the chicken pen and I proceeded to do some basic chores, like filling water and feed pans. Then I walked Cadi on a leash around and among the birds, having her sit and lie down. She did a great job then and has improved every day since.

I eventually put her on a long line that gave her the ability to move around independent of me, but also gave me the ability to pull her back in if there was an emergency.

Now, after three months, she has been given the independence to be out in the yard with me when the chickens are out. I call her to me from time to time just to reinforce that action.

Even so, I never leave the dogs out alone with the chickens when I am not home or out in the yard. I would not recommend that to anyone, no matter how well your dog is trained.

And I should say that not every dog will have the ability to be trained to be around chickens. Some breeds of dogs were developed to go after and kill small prey. It may be difficult to control them if your chickens begin running or flying about suddenly (and you never know when this will happen, but it does).

A Happy Animal Family

Cadi is a great helper out in the chicken and duck pen, as is Ari. Border collies like having a job and so I use my dogs to help me move the ducks and chickens around.

However, as good as my dogs are, I have to put them in the house when it's time to catch a chicken who wants to run away from me. The temptation to run after and bite the bird is just too great for most dogs!

With a lot of training and supervision, it is possible to have a harmonious relationship between your dog and chickens. Just be patient, stay positive with your training, and eventually you'll have a peaceful backyard.

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