The Dog Has Just Killed One of My Chickens!
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
July 7, 2008 4:19pm CST
I was out in the garden a little while ago whilst the chickens had their evening forage, when the dog appeared. I don't normally worry about him amoungst the chickens as he's been fine. Earlier today he was sat with them, and I think he thought he was guarding them, he looked so proud of himself.
Anyway, he went to sniff at the big ones and I saw him but didn't worry. Then he sniffed at one that was sitting in the dust bath and she flapped her wings at him. Suddenly, he went bounding into the long grass where the small ones were, and there was a kerfuffle. I was yelling and running over, but the whole thing happened far too fast and at first I wasn't sure whether he'd just been playing. But there was one of the little chickens on the ground, obviously internally injured. It died within minutes, whilst I was still trying to work out whether it was actually injured or just shocked.
Needless to say, the dog scarpered and hasn't been seen for dust. I doubt he'll come back tonight as my hubby came running out alerted by the noise and the dog saw and knows he's done wrong.
I don't know what triggered the attack. Perhaps the big chicken flapping her wings made him feel his authority was being threatened? Maybe the little chicken in the long grass sent him into hunter mode before he realised what he was chasing? Either way, I'm guttted. There's no going back for the chicken, obviously, but it's bad news for the dog too as I can't allow him to be loose any more 
3 people like this
19 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
7 Jul 08
The dog was just doing his job, as assigned by the Man Upstairs! That's how dogs are, they're hunters. We can domesticate them but we can't take that away from them completely.
Please don't punish the dog! By the time he gets back he'll have forgotten about it and won't know what he's done wrong. I agree you shouldn't let him loose around them anymore, though.
You've been unfortunate the past couple of days, poor thing.
3 people like this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
8 Jul 08
Sorry, you can't stop me being mad at the dog. We live on a smallholding and his job is to protect the animals, not kill them!!!! However, I'm well aware that punishing him after the even wont do any good. Unfortunately it will mean that he's tied up from now on, which is not a nice way for a dog to be.
@sarcos (201)
• New Zealand
8 Jul 08
I have heard as others may have that to tie the chicken or whatever they have killed around his neck and leave it there for days is the trick and they get so stressed that they will always associate the chickens or whatever with not being able to get this thing off himself.But it usually only works if they are sheep killers this way.
1 person likes this
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I am sorry but that seems cruel to me. I don't think I could ever do that to a dog. I will always love a dog more than a fowl. But I do understand that they can't be allowed to kill your chickens.
I would just tie him up. I have had to tie my dog up because she runs out to the street and barks at people walking past. It scares them as she seems ferocious but really isn't. I still wouldn't want someone to hurt her or report her to authorities.
So until I can get the yard entirely fenced in she has to stay tied up when she is outside.
@ilovedobermans (2)
• United States
10 Jul 08
You need to excersize those dogs! They ARE doing what is instinct; hunting and killing. BUT you NEED to keep that dog so well "entertained" is the only word I can think of! that it will not be bored enough to do that!
I am going to write more at someone else's note.
Oh, I am sooo frustrated to read about this! You cannot punish the dog! They will have no idea why, and this is making the problem WORSE! Stuff like that Breaks a dog, and s/he will NOT be a better dog for it.
Sorry, I feel VERY strongly about this.
@StrawberryKisses (2833)
• Canada
8 Jul 08
When we first brought chickens around my dog he had never seen them and because he wanted to sniff them it scared the chickens and they instinctively ran away well that sent my dog chasing them too. Was actually pretty funny but nevertheless we tied him up for abotu a week when he was outside just to get used to the chickens and he has not chased them since. You dog just may need to be tied up for a bit so that he can watch the chickens around him.
I don't believe in hitting animals for this type of behaviour because after all it is in their intincts and my uncles dog killed one of our chickens one day and he beat her with the chicken. Now mind you most farmers do this with their dogs if they kill a chicken but I still do not agree with it. Look at my dog he is a dork most days and very stubborn but he got the hint when we tied him up we never had to hurt him.
1 person likes this
@StrawberryKisses (2833)
• Canada
8 Jul 08
Oh I totally agree there but I have never been able to hit them. I will let someone else if it is something of theirs or if I am not around but I cannot bring myself to do it.
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@GreenMoo (11833)
•
8 Jul 08
My dog has been fine with the chickens since we got them, but suddenly this, I don't really understand what triggered it.
I'd have hit him if I'd caught him at the time, but there is no point punishing a dog after the event as he wouldnt understand what it was for.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Aww, I'm so sorry to hear of this. Did the dog ever come back?
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Well, ya know, he's an animal, and has animal instincts. Things like this happen. Now you know to keep him away from the chickens.
1 person likes this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
8 Jul 08
I'm really sorry to hear that, GreenMoo. It's really shocking when a trusted and loved pet does something like that. I've heard of farmers hanging the carcass around their dogs' necks after an attack such as that, as they say once the dog has the taste for blood it will reoffend. I definitely couldn't do that, though - too sad. I know you'll forgive your poor dog, and it's sad he'll lose some of his freedom. I hope you can find a solution to keeping him away from the chickens.
2 people like this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
8 Jul 08
Oh this is definitely bad for you. but I always thought that there are dogs whose specific task was to protect the weaker animals of a farm (like sheepdog)…I do not have any experience of animal farming but could understand your loss. Are you going to keep the dog on a leash from now on?
1 person likes this
@lossforredwords (3620)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Oh same thing happen here. My brother in law just caught a little bird and decided to keep it. Then just this morning when he was about to give food for the bird it got out and just when he's about to fly our dog caught the bird. My sister tried to rescue the bird since it was already capture, when she's about to get it.. guess what! the dog swallowed the bird.. as in a living whole bird. I don't know why the dog eat it...as of now he still doesn't show any bad sign of indigestion and after he ate the bird he got scolded for hours so I think he's being silent earlier is his way of sentience.
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
8 Jul 08
Hi GreenMoo, I am so sorry to hear about one of your chickens ending its life in this way, unfortunately it is nature and yes the dog for a moment went either into hunter mode or playful mode and got carried away. I hope you will get many more eggs from the remaining chickens and maybe let the dog run free in a different area eh! Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
8 Jul 08
I think the dog will be tied up from now on. Unfortunately, if he's done it to mine he may do it to someone else's and come across the wrong end of their shotgun
His sister is already tied up after breaking into and killing the rabbits.
What did I do to deserve such stupid dogs? 
His sister is already tied up after breaking into and killing the rabbits.
What did I do to deserve such stupid dogs? 1 person likes this
@Annie2 (594)
• United States
8 Jul 08
The dog was doing what comes naturally. Instead of permanently tying the dogs up, which is not natural, could you find them a new country home where there are no chickens or rabbits and where they could be allowed to run free? Or, maybe you could just convert them into indoor dogs. Dogs are pack animals and would probably enjoy being a part of "your" pack. It might take some training and patience to teach them proper indoor behavior. Then they could be allowed outside for supervised walks and runs away from the chickens.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
8 Jul 08
They have a country home! Unfortunately, most people around here have small animals. If it were just my chickens I would give him a second chance, but my neighbours would be likely to shoot him if he tried it on theirs. Restraing him isn't ideal, but it's better than that.
When we move I hope to build both dogs a large run, which will be better for everyone.
@meiyeec511 (405)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 08
Wow, your dog so violent. I think if u want to feed both kind of pets, better you feed them separately. So as if you also feed the cat. cat will eat the chicken too.
I think there's a way to train them to communicate and stay niceely together, but I do not how cause I'm not the professional.
1 person likes this
@ilovedobermans (2)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Please read this through. Dogs never mean to do ANYTHING to upset their people! Train the the dog. Even border collies that are born with the instinct to herd MUST BE TRAINED to herd. Guard dogs MUST BE TRAINED!
Please don't punish the dog. Dogs are so eager to please! PLEASE find a way to TRAIN the dog to leave the chickens alone!
I KNOW there are ways to do this, and if I have to I will do my darndest to track that information down! Dogs are so eager to please, they so desperately want your approval!
Keep the dog with you. Keep (him) on a leash, and do all the obedience stuff possible. If you have ever watched a well trained dog, they keep their eyes on YOU to wait for the next command, unless it is rest, of course!
You just need to train that dog. Oh, PLEASE don't punish the dog! I wish I could go into detail right now. Just about any GOOD dog training book will do. I recommend the "Dog Whisperer" and I wish I could remember the others.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
18 Jul 08
Hi there, I appreciate your sentiments and concern. Please don't worry, the dog wasn't punished. By the time he returned there would have been no point in punishing him as he wouldn't have associated thepunishment with the 'crime' by then.
I will be doing my best with training him, but he is on a line for his own protection for the time being. If he went for one of my neighbour's animals, they'd just shoot him.
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
good day.. We seemed to forget that our dogs are tamed wolves. That they still have the killer instinct of their predecessors. That this maybe triggered by fear or aggression of other animals.
@Jasperman (10)
• China
8 Jul 08
Knowing the incident occured to your chicken, i have much feelings for that. In my opinion, this tragic reflected the dog's basic instinct more or less. The fact that dog and wolf are close relation is universally ackowledged. So it was not strange to doubt this thing!
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
8 Jul 08
i'm so sorry to hear about what happen to your chicken... i think dog is a very weird creatures and they are really moody... they can change their moods in a split second... like a nice and behaved dog can suddenly attack a child... it is really scary... anyway, i hope the incident won't happen again and the dog learn from his mistake... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
8 Jul 08
thanks for your sympathy lingli. Unfortunately, it was my son's favourite chicken
The dog won't get a chance to learn from his mistake, he's going to be tied up from now on. If he tried that with our neighbour's chickens he's be facing the wrong end of a shotgun so it's better this way.
The dog won't get a chance to learn from his mistake, he's going to be tied up from now on. If he tried that with our neighbour's chickens he's be facing the wrong end of a shotgun so it's better this way.
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Oh that is bad. I am of the school that believes once a chicken killer always a chicken killer. Growing up on a farm this sometimes happened. It is sad though when you have to keep the dog as far away from the chickens as possible (when I as growing up it meant our beloved dog was going to find a new home). I hope you can somehow work this out.
1 person likes this
@uwiniwin (61)
• India
8 Jul 08
That is so sad. Animals do have an unpredictable streak in them. Yes, dogs tend to be territorial also. Since we cannot understand their psyche, we face unpleasant situations. One would advise about keeping dogs and other animals/birds away from dogs... but sometimes these accidents happen.
There is a nice article in the site called "Cutest Most Well Behaved Dog" at http://www.unleashenergy.com/dog-training/dogs-bytes. Please have a look. It tells you about dogs that have a habit of attacking or biting without provocation.
@amit1975ch (48)
•
10 Jul 08
i m not agree with u that u will not allow ur dog in ur house that will keep unsafe to u the incident that happen with u may be occasionally but it is the habit of dogs if they feel that some foodr for him then they definitely take it
@fayntangel (7)
• Philippines
8 Jul 08
Awww. Thats very sad :( im sorry what happened to your chicken. But maybe it was just deom the flapping thing. My dog is like that too ^_^
1 person likes this
