Find out how to Break a Canine from Killing Chickens (and One Method You Ought to NEVER Use)

Rooster possession is selecting up steam from yard birds within the ‘burbs to rural roosts. Sadly, with this newfound eggcellent journey, some homeowners encounter a heartbreaking conflict between their new feathered buddies and their pups.

However there are issues you are able to do to cease the canine-chicken carnage. We’ll clarify why canine assault chickens and the way to defend your flock from hurt beneath.

Find out how to Break a Canine from Killing Chickens: Key Takeaways

• Sadly, some canine try to catch, kill, and even devour chickens residing alongside them. However you need to get mad at your canine for doing so — he isn’t doing so out of malice; it’s merely a byproduct of his instinctual drives.
• Luckily, coaching and different interventions can preserve your flock secure. We’ll share six totally different methods for breaking your canine’s chicken-killing behavior, starting from merely retaining them separated to implementing desensitization coaching.
• Some breeds are higher with chickens than others. Livestock guardian breeds, equivalent to shepherds and numerous sheepdogs, are usually a greater match round chickens than sighthounds or ratters who sometimes have robust prey drives.

Mutt Motivations: Why Do Some Canine Kill Chickens?

Witnessing your canine attacking a hen is horrifying, however to your pup, killing a hen doubtless feels fully pure!

Bear in mind: Our cuddly canines are animals and have instincts that received’t at all times mesh with our human norms. Understanding these behaviors can stop your canine from killing chickens sooner or later.

The most typical causes canine assault chickens are: 

• Prey drive: Canine could also be far faraway from their days within the wild, however the intuition to chase, catch, and kill smaller animals stays, significantly in breeds with high-prey drives like terriers and looking hounds.
• Play: Some pups are too tough throughout play and unintentionally kill chickens or different small animals by thrashing, chewing, and even trampling them.
• Anxiousness: Canine who’re not sure of latest chickens within the yard might react aggressively.
• Starvation: That is the least doubtless situation in the event you’re coping with your pet canine killing chickens, however some canine (largely feral) kill chickens out of starvation.

Determining why your canine is killing chickens is just half of the battle, however with onerous work, you may preserve your chickens secure from hurt.

6 Methods to Break a Canine from Killing Chickens

Curbing your canine’s hen aggression takes time, coaching, and persistence. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all course of, with some canine needing extra interventions than others.

There are just a few efficient strategies to select from. It’s possible you’ll discover that one method works by itself, or you could want to include two or three totally different methods.

#1 Merely Hold Your Canine Separated from the Chickens

In case your canine has a excessive prey drive, it’s most likely finest to maintain him away out of your chickens altogether. Not each breed is a good friend to feathered ones, and that’s OK. You aren’t failing as an proprietor by recognizing your pup’s wants and prioritizing your chickens’ security. Fairly the alternative, truly.

To take care of your chickens’ security, arrange a coop or hen run that may preserve your chickens in and your canine out. This eliminates unintended encounters and potential heartbreak. At all times supervise your canine every time he’s unfastened within the yard, even when your chickens are contained.

For pup mother and father with free-range chickens, separation is trickier. In these cases, you’ll simply have to preserve your canine leashed or contained in an escape-proof portion of the yard away from the flock. See our article on the very best escape-proof canine fences in the event you plan on making a devoted, enclosed area to your pooch and letting the chickens roam free.

Ideally, you need your hen’s roaming zone to be far-off out of your canine’s out of doors area.

#2 Socialize Your Canine with the Chickens

Introducing your canine to chickens from an early age via pet socialization is one of the best ways to keep away from hen aggression.

This requires bringing your pet out to the coop and strolling him across the chickens quickly after he comes residence.

Reward him for constructive interactions with reward and treats and promptly appropriate any tough play or aggressive behaviors with a verbal command.

Simply ensure that you by no means hit or yell at your pup. You wish to preserve his interplay with the chickens constructive and keep away from aversive coaching strategies.

With older canine, socialization is trickier. You might want to begin sluggish, retaining your canine leashed and chickens housed of their pen. Strategy the hen run along with your canine, shifting slowly.

You’ll have to repeat this over a number of days till he can method the pen with out performing out.

In case your canine is calm in approaching the pen, reward the conduct with a yummy deal with and reward. Let him odor across the run’s exterior and sniff the birds via the fencing to acclimate and develop comfy. Reward constructive reactions.

If he reacts aggressively, problem a verbal correction and stroll away. You’ll have to repeat this till he can method the pen with out performing out. In time, he can graduate to non-leashed approaches, leashed face-to-face introductions, and ultimately, unleashed introductions.

Simply perceive that socialization isn’t a race, and also you don’t wish to rush your canine’s tempo. It might appear tedious, however doing issues proper the primary time and avoiding detrimental interactions is essential for long-term success.

#3 Use the “Restrain & Reward” Technique

This is without doubt one of the finest methods to acclimate your doggo to chickens (apart from early socialization), because it depends solely on constructive strategies and makes use of what consultants check with as desensitization.

Primarily, you’re going to reward your canine for being calm whereas or approaching the chickens, and cease doling out the treats, reward, and scritches every time he will get labored up or shows aggressive behaviors.

To begin, place your chickens of their pen for safekeeping and leash your canine. Strategy the pen slowly whereas showering your canine in reward — so long as he stays calm, preserve giving him the great things.

If he barks, growls, or reacts negatively, carry your canine additional away. Discover the gap at which your canine can stay calm close to the chickens and reward him with treats, reward, and play for ignoring the chickens (or, on the very least, not attempting to go after them).

Repeat the method the next day and proceed over time till you’re capable of method the pen with out your canine reacting. This could take time, so put together for the lengthy haul.

This technique is without doubt one of the core practices used with reactive canine coaching, and over time can reduce any undesirable overreaction a canine may show in direction of a set off (like chickens).

It’s important that you just don’t push your canine – it’s essential discover the gap he can stay calm at and work inside that area, solely difficult him by shifting just a few steps nearer when he can comfy ignore the chickens at his threshold distance.

When you’re satisfied that your canine received’t react negatively, you may take away the lead and check out the train unleashed. Comply with the identical guidelines, working as much as approaching the hen run and not using a response. From there, you may apply leashed face-to-face workouts if it’s secure to take action along with your canine.

#4 Use the “Cease & Pull” Technique

It is a sluggish and regular method, but it surely’s a great way to soundly acclimate your canine to the coop’s presence in your yard and proper aggressive behaviors in real-time.

Nonetheless, it does require you to problem firmer corrections than the earlier technique, which isn’t very best. It definitely isn’t what we’d contemplate “aversive,” in the identical means issues like the usage of a shock collar (for instance) is, but it surely isn’t fairly as nice to your pup as a purely constructive method. We at all times suggest choosing gentler, force-free strategies earlier than resorting to utilizing corrections when potential.

Begin by housing your chickens in a coop and slowly lead your canine towards them, whereas leashed.

If he reacts aggressively to seeing them, say “No!” or “Cease!” and cease the place you might be. Then, you’ll wish to pull him again towards you.

Use mild stress when doing so — you’re not attempting to do a “leash pop” or jerk him again roughly. Additionally, notice that that is safer to do when your canine is carrying a harness, slightly than a collar.

Hopefully, he’ll cease attempting to method the chickens. When he does, bathe him with reward and treats.

Some pup mother and father favor to make use of a selected noise (equivalent to a finger snap) to make the correction, which can also be acceptable.

Over the course of some days, you’ll repeat this, progressively getting nearer every time. Proceed to problem the verbal correction and pull your canine again if he reacts negatively.

In time, your canine will be capable to method the coop with out reacting. At this stage, you may take away the leash and gauge his response across the coop. It might take weeks, however in time, he’ll be desensitized sufficient to method the coop unleashed with out problem.

If it’s secure along with your canine, you may transfer on to leashed introductions with out the pen between them.

#5 Train Your Canine a “Drop” Command

This lesson received’t stop your canine from attacking chickens, however it could will let you save a hen’s life in the event you catch him within the act.

Primarily, you’ll simply want to show your canine to drop issues on cue. And actually, it is a talent all canine ought to be taught anyway — you by no means know when your canine goes to select up one thing which may be harmful.

To begin, give your canine a toy he likes, equivalent to a ball or bone.

Then, greedy the nook of the merchandise, inform him to “Drop it” (some homeowners shorten the cue to easily “Drop”). If he opens his mouth or loosens his grip on the merchandise, take it and provides him a deal with with a lot of verbal reward.

Repeat the cue a number of instances per coaching session till he reliably drops the merchandise on command. Most canine will be taught this talent fairly rapidly, however it’s smart to apply it usually — time can be of the essence if Fido fetches one among your feathered buddies!

#6 Attain Out for Skilled Assist

Canine coaching isn’t simple, and a few canine want extra work than others. So, in the event you develop pissed off from a scarcity of progress or would merely slightly outsource the coaching course of, attain out to a good coach and have her or him take over.

Simply remember to select a superb coach, who embraces LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive) ideas and makes use of constructive approaches to work along with your pupper.

And no matter you do, remember to run the opposite means if the coach advocates something just like the method mentioned within the subsequent part.

One Method You Ought to NEVER Attempt to Break a Canine from Killing Chickens

Canine coaching has undergone one heck of a metamorphosis, and numerous old-school strategies have been retired for safer, extra humane choices.

Considered one of these old-school approaches that you need to fully keep away from doing is the so-called “carcass” method. 

The carcass method consists of tying a hen your canine has killed to his collar or leaving it in shut proximity to him after scolding him. If he approaches the carcass or interacts with it in any means, the strategy says to scold him.

The “logic” behind this method was that the canine would discover the hen’s lifeless physique disagreeable, in addition to the repeated scolding from his proprietor. This, it was thought, would train him to disregard chickens solely.

However that is clearly one thing loving homeowners will wish to keep away from doing. Not solely is the carcass method unsafe and unhygienic, but it surely’s simply plain ineffective and merciless.

Canine don’t function like that. Interval.

Extra Ideas for Stopping Your Canine from Killing Chickens

Along with coaching, stopping your canine’s hen aggression requires you to have a look at his day-to-day life. Some elements could also be missing, resulting in his conduct.

To cease your canine from attacking chickens:

• Present enrichment. Canine have pure instincts they should fulfill, from sniffing new scents to flushing sport from brush. Your canine’s life ought to embody greater than sofa time and loo breaks. Not solely will incorporating extra canine enrichment make him happier, however it could actually stop frustration, doubtlessly curbing aggression towards chickens. It might sound counter-intuitive; many homeowners concern utilizing toys like flirt poles will make a canine extra prey-driven. However usually, when a canine is given an opportunity to train his pure instincts and urges in an applicable setting, he turns into much less prone to reveal that conduct in conditions the place you wish to keep away from it (equivalent to treating your chickens as prey).
• Train your canine. Each four-footer wants every day bodily and psychological train. Relying on his breed, this may range from a romp across the yard to a protracted jog. Incorporate extra train in your canine’s routine to maintain him out of hassle.
• Socialize your pup. Your canine must be taught that your chickens are his buddies to forestall aggressive behaviors like chasing or, in excessive instances, killing. This implies introducing him to your flock slowly and praising him for constructive interactions. Unfavourable behaviors like growling, lunging, or barking needs to be addressed appropriately and prevented as a lot as potential.
• Handle nervousness. Change might be scary to pups, particularly in the event you’ve lately torn up the yard so as to add a coop and a few noisy chickens. Permit your canine to regulate progressively to the brand new presence across the yard and don’t be stunned if he struggles considerably for the primary few months. Some canine want extra time to get acclimated to a brand new state of affairs than others.
• Feed your canine adequately. This shouldn’t actually should be mentioned, however ensure that your canine is getting sufficient meals to satisfy his every day wants so he doesn’t go on the lookout for substitutions in your coop. Choose a top quality, balanced weight-reduction plan that meets AAFCO requirements to make sure correct vitamin.

Which Canine Breeds Are Good with Chickens?

Should you’re nonetheless on the planning levels and on the lookout for a farm canine with hen expertise, you’re in luck. Some breeds had been developed as flock guardians, so they’re canine that make nice hen companions, offering safety towards predators like raccoons, coyotes, and foxes.

The very best canine breeds round chickens are:

• Maremma sheepdog: Hailing from Italy, this historical breed is good round cattle large and small however received’t hesitate to deal with predators with pressure.
• Nice Pyrenees: This mild large has a coronary heart nearly as giant as his physique, however don’t let that idiot you: He’s a famend livestock guardian who will put life and limb on the road for his flock.
• Komondor: Whereas this Hungarian gentleman is principally identified for his mop-like look, he’s a fierce flock protector with a fast wit.
• Anatolian shepherd: Spending durations with hen buddies isn’t any large deal for this leggy livestock guardian.
• Puli: This small Hungarian herder is beloved for his vigorous demeanor round people, however he additionally makes a wonderful livestock companion together with his mild spirit and protecting nature.

These breeds might have origins round livestock, however they nonetheless require cautious coaching and socialization to make sure your flock’s security. Some doggos could also be too boisterous for all times round smaller livestock like chickens and may go finest with sheep.

Which Canine Breeds Are Dangerous with Chickens?

Whereas some breeds are all-star flock guardians, others usually tend to wind up committing hen murder. These potential poultry assassins aren’t unhealthy or harmful canine, however they’re sometimes not minimize out for #chickenlife.

The worst breeds to have round chickens are:

• Siberian husky: Whereas a clown round his individuals, this bushy-tailed brawn is notoriously tough throughout play and has a excessive prey drive that may spell catastrophe with yard hens.
• Greyhound: This modern sighthound is understood to chase perceived prey at excessive speeds, making him a foe to most small animals, together with chickens.
• Weimaraner: Weims and different chicken canine like pointers had been developed to level and flush sport from brush–a expertise that doesn’t at all times mesh with pet chickens.
• Jack Russell: This rambunctious ratter is a vermin killer by commerce, which might be harmful round small animals, together with chickens.
• American pit bull terrier: We love pitties and their epic personalities, however these home hippos have a heck of a prey drive that may be harmful round chickens.

There’s at all times an exception to the rule, and a few pups could also be completely positive round chickens regardless of their breed’s background. Early and ongoing socialization and coaching could make any canine pleasant to all issues feathered, no matter breed. That mentioned, these breeds usually aren’t the very best companions for chickens.

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It’s scary when your canine begins attacking your chickens, however you may overcome this collectively and restore concord to your private home. 

Do you’ve any ideas for a cheerful family for canine homeowners with chickens? Tell us within the feedback.