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We had dogs long before we had poultry, and I had a (very rational) fear that these two species might not get along. There are dog breeds designed to protect birds and others bred to hunt them. We also have a (mostly) outdoor cat. This seemed like a combination straight out of Tom & Jerry with the possibility that it would all end in a cloud of tears and feathers. Fortunately everything worked out and, without supervision, our dogs, cat, backyard chickens and turkeys can all coexist. Here’s what we did.
Under no circumstances are any of our four legged animals permitted to be anywhere near our two legged ones if the two legged creatures are in a brooder. Chicks stay in the brooder for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the breed. At this point all the chicks are able to do is yell, “security!” and hope someone comes running. We had a dog pull a chick out of a brooder once, but we heard the cry for backup and made it in time to keep anything terrible from happening. Our dogs are trained to “spit it out” on command. We now use a brooder with plywood sides and roll a length of chicken wire across the top to keep curious pups and cats from getting in.
Once the chicks graduate to grass — we free range everyone at our farm — we let the dogs and cat out to visit with extreme supervision. The first time we did this I was terrified our dogs were going to see dinner walking. Everyone was very curious. The dogs did what they do. They sniffed rear ends. And the chickens did what they do. Peck at interesting objects. Each dog only needed to be pecked on the nose one time before they figured it out. Chicken bums are a no sniff zone. Since we’ve had poultry on the farm for years now there’s no specific introductions needed anymore.
Because the cat never sees the birds as chicks she only pretends to pounce on the birds. She’ll lay in the grass and watch then jump up and run at a chicken. Instead of actually pouncing she just keeps running past the birds. They’re too big for her to do any damage and she sticks to what she’s good at: mice.
I’ve seen plenty of pics online of dogs playing with baby chicks. It’s the cutest thing ever. Seriously. But we don’t know that our dogs can handle that, so we don’t take the risk. And we’ve certainly had our share of heartbreak when other people’s dogs have gotten hold of our chickens. Just because our dogs can coexist doesn’t mean other dogs can.
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Three cheers for interspecies friendships!
The post Can Backyard Chickens, Dogs And Cats Coexist? appeared first on Backyard Poultry Magazine.
