Rescue dog and chickens

[Gr0ce]

I've always wanted to adopt a rescue dog and it now feels the time is right. I work from home, own my house and have a (small) garden. The only thing is, I have bantams who currently free range in the garden. There is a section that is fenced off where their coop is but they do enjoy free ranging in the full garden as well. My original plan was to adopt a rescue greyhound or lurcher until I found both breeds had high prey drives when it came to small animals. But I found a small medium rescue mongrel who sounds perfect. He has previously lived on a farm and has been described as 'good with small farm animals (eg chickens)'. But now a friend keeps warning me about how he could still be 'erratic' with the chickens. Is it possible for rescue dogs to get used to chickens? They're bantams so are smaller and therefore more vulnerable than larger hens.

I personally wouldn't trust any dog to roam "free range" with chickens.

I think you're right unfortunately. I was hoping I could train the dog but I don't want to risk any chickens getting harmed. I might have to just make sure they're always separated.

My chickens are innately terrified of dogs that have come to visit (think it's built in due to the danger from foxes). The dogs were calm and no where near the chickens, not interested in them. Chickens were terrified and hid until the dog was gone each time.

My dog is really good and we can sit out sunbathing with the chickens and the goats all wandering around him. He doesn't bat an eyelid and listens when I tell him no, stay.

Turn my back though and there is carnage, feathers and chickens everywhere as he goes to "play with them" so I can let him out of my sight for a second.

I don't think he would hurt them but I'm sure he enjoys chasing them!

A puppy can be taught to live alongside most things. An adult is far more tricky!

My dog is a working terrier and her breeder had chickens and cats all free ranging with no problems.

It can be done but you'd need total separation whilst you train and it would likely to be a real gamble as to whether long term you'd achieve it.

If it was a brand new puppy, it would be easier (though still no guarantee) - but an adult rescue from an unknown background is a whole different kettle of fish.

You don't want either animal getting hurt or scared - separating would be far less stressful all round I think.

My rescue dog lives with free range chickens, but we got her when she was about 5 months old and mine are full sized hens (hens there first and weren't scared of the puppy). I think it will completely depend on the individual dog. My dog knows the chicken's alarm call and they settle immediately when she runs outside to check on them. She's become a livestock guardian dog for the flock!

Interesting set of responses. Our hens have always been ex-bats and are fearless. They ignore dogs totally but are also stupidly docile and will jump into your arms for a cuddle if it looks like you might have food to nick. If the back gate is left open they head out as a flock to wander open fields - which is when having a dog handy to get them back is useful.

Our dogs meanwhile have always been collies and will watch the hens, who show no interest in them, but don't want to catch them. They will search out lost hens if we're struggling to round them up at bedtime. But otherwise their critical tasks of digging big holes in vegetable beds and protecting the house from cats keep them too busy.