Why Does My Dog ​​attack Chickens And How To Avoid It?

In certain environments, such as rural areas, it is possible that several species of animals coexist in the same space. When it is the case of chickens and canines, as they are predators and prey, the following question may arise: what to do if the dog attacks the chickens?

Avoiding this conflict is vital, since the injuries suffered by these birds are usually serious and even fatal if they are attacked by a canid. In addition, the dog can suffer legal consequences – often disproportionate, such as forced slaughter – if the attack is directed at someone else’s chickens.

Why does my dog ​​attack chickens?

Usually the underlying cause of a situation where the dog attacks chickens is hunting instinct. Even if it is not hungry, the dog can see in these birds a target of attack or predation. 

On the other hand, a very territorial dog will tend to defend an area that it considers to be its own. If chickens – or other animals – are within that territory, it will attack them or try to scare them. Although it does not harm them physically, birds are very delicate when it comes to stress, as they can even die of a heart attack.

How to avoid dog attacks on chickens?

In places where many different species live and individuals constantly enter — as in a sanctuary — it is inevitable that prey and predators will have to coexist. In addition, introducing new animals often leads to conflicts in those species that are organized hierarchically.

When a canine begins to live in a place where there were previously chickens and wants to attack them, the plan that must be followed has 2 parts: get it used to the presence of these birds and teach it not to disturb them. Below, you can read some tips to achieve coexistence between both species.

Take the dog for a walk

If the dog takes a long walk or uses a good amount of energy, it will be more relaxed and react more calmly when encountering other animals. Especially in the case of nervous dogs, not accumulating energy is key to avoid aggressiveness against chickens.

Introduce the chickens to the henhouse before starting training

Chickens recognize the dog as a predator, so it is more than likely that they will run and fly as soon as they appear. If this happens, the dog will be prone to chasing them. Avoiding this is as simple as putting the birds in their house before the canid goes out into the yard.

Once the dog – who has already used energy with the walk – is near the chicken facility, you should ask him to sit down and remain calm. Then, calmly, release the chickens. If the dog reacts, ask him to be cool, and if he does, reward him.

If your dog attacks chickens, let them meet through the fence

It is better to do the encounters in which the dog gets used to the presence of the chickens with a fence in between. Thus, the birds can take refuge if they feel in danger and the canid will be able to smell them and get used to them, without the opportunity to harm them.

Once the dog does not react to the birds from outside its installation, you can enter with it and continue with the process inside the place. If you don’t feel safe, putting on a leash is an option.

Be constant

Training doesn’t work overnight, but don’t despair: if orders to keep calm and reinforcements are consistent, your dog will eventually learn not to attack chickens. They will also have time to get used to the dog at their own pace.

What not to do if the dog attacks the chickens

In conclusion, it never hurts to remember that punishment is not an appropriate method of behavior modification. Inducing fear in the dog through yelling or aggression of any kind will only lead to the dog disobeying as soon as you turn around – in the best of cases.

On the other hand, chickens need to be as stress-free as possible. Nor is it a valid method to try to make them learn to flee when a predator appears daily, as they can develop many health problems derived from it.

If you are patient and consistent with training, all the species of animals that live with you can be in harmony. The ability of nonhumans to seek to live in peace will surprise you, as long as they do not lack sufficient resources for their well-being.