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Anyone who has chickens and dogs at the same time knows the anxiety that goes with introducing the two.
Our dog, Link, killed 15 of our birds the first time he was ever trusted alone around them. Now he is left alone with them regularly and hasn’t touched one since. How did we manage this? By hacking Link! So no more chicken killing from him. Now we have a new rescue husky, Laska. Unfortunately she killed a chicken her first time around them. We used the same trick on her, and two days later, she ignores the chickens when they walk up to her.
How did we manage this?
We used an old farmer’s trick for dealing with dogs that are chicken killers. I’m not sure where I first heard about this, but I’ve used is successfully on three dogs now. And each of the dogs I’ve used it on has been a breed with a high prey drive. That leaves me fairly confidant that it will work on most dogs.
There are a few important details about how this dog hack works to get the fastest results. The biggest downside is that the dog in question has to kill a chicken. I would never suggest giving a dog an animal to kill as part of training it. However, if a dog kills a chicken and I want to prevent it from happening again, this is the training method I use. I suppose you could use a bird killed by another animal or that’d died of old age, but I can’t be sure it would be as effective. I’ve also never tried this method with any animal besides a chicken, but I assume it would work for other small farm game.
For best results, be sure to use this method the first time the dog kills a chicken.
When the dog is caught having killed a chicken, immediately scold the dog. This can be done in whatever training manner you apply to other training. Then take the dog and separate it from other dogs, placing it on a lead or in a kennel. Now comes important part number one: Make it so the dog can’t escape the dead chicken. I’ve done this on a lead by attaching the chicken to the dog’s collar, or by placing the carcass inside the kennel with the dog. I’ve never had a dog attempt to eat the dead chicken after being scolded for killing it. Afterwards, leave the dog and dead bird in close proximity for at least 24 hours, and up to three days.
I’ve had dogs that have learned after a day, and others I wouldn’t trust to learn in less than 3 days. Use your best judgement with your dog on how long it needs.
Important part number 2: The only attention the dog should be given during this time is receiving food and water (and potty breaks if they are kenneled). Any whining, crying, or puppy dog eyes should be thoroughly ignored. The less you can interact with the dog during this time, the better. Once the time is up, remove and dispose of the dead bird. Give the dog lots of praise for not eating the bird and a bath. Then he should be ready for supervised interaction with chickens. A corrective training collar (Amazon) can help with peace of mind during the reintroduction process, though I haven’t found it necessary. After a week of supervision, I usually feel confidant about leaving the dog alone with the chickens.
I’m not entirely sure why this works. My best theory is that dogs associate killing chickens with being ostracized from their “pack”. I’ve never had more than an ear perk in the direction of noisy chickens after using this method. One dog would even get up and move if the chickens came near him! This is the only method I’ve ever found that works for retraining chicken killing dogs. I have no doubt that using this hack on my dogs has saved me a lot of heartache and flock losses. I hope you never need to use this technique, but if you do please let me know if it worked!
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Oh man, I wish I knew this two weeks ago! Our two bullmastiffs attacked a chicken and ate half of it before we knew what was happening! I will remember this if it ever happens again. Thank you.
Oh no, that’s terrible! Please let me know if it works after they’ve done it more than once. I’ve always managed to catch them the first time and I’d be interested to know!
We’re about to get our first chickens soon (and eventually, a dog will follow). Thank you for this very useful tip. I both hope I’ll never have to use it, but am so glad to know it ;).
I’ve read that there is a similar way to discourage a bird-killing cat (the resource I read said to smack the cat with the dead bird and then hang it from its collar! Sounds a little violent, but if it works…).
Hooray chickens and puppies! I really hope you never need to come back to this post, but it’s good to know just in case! Fingers crossed that your dog is naturally chicken friendly 🙂
I hope I never have to try this! We have two dogs which killed all 8 of our chickens in one day. We’re reinforcing the coop and going to keep them separated as best we can. However, if it happens again I’ll try it. We don’t have a crate for our dogs so how do you recommend we attach it to their collar?
Tying the feet and neck of a chicken to the dog’s collar has worked for us. Also, if you have a medical cone to put on them it might help keep the dog from pulling on the chicken with their feet as well. Good luck, I hope everything turns out for you!
I hope this method works for us. I have our husky Pyrenees locked up right now in the kennel with a heAdless duck:/
The three dogs hadn’t messed with the chickens until spring my mom(we live on the same 33acres) put her pullets out then suddenly the taste was there. They still haven’t messed with the hens but killed the rooster. I was convinced it was our retriever mix but my husband came in and said his teeth were clean and the husky mix had black duck down in his teeth. So… anyhow, got out of bed after this late night killing and stumbling across this post and commenced the training process. Thank you so much! I was convinced there had to be someone out there after centuries of dog fowl cohabitation that had come up with a training hack that actually works. Praying this does for us… because it’s the end of the road for the dogs here on the property if it doesn’t.
I hope this worked for you!
We are giving this a try as I type! We recently adopted a great pyranese and she loves the chickens a little too much! She’s an adult already so we shall see if this works.
Ps we used zip ties for attaching the rooster.
I hope it works for you! All of the dogs I’ve done this with have been less than 3 years old and it’s worked each time.
It’s because they learn to associate fear with chickens and the scolding. We’ve done this with all our chicken killers and works every time.
I’m glad this has worked for you as well!
Ii have heard of a similar method, but was told that once the dog turn its eues and wont look at the chicken that its done. Leaving any longer could cause mentsl damage? I have a kelpie x huntaway that has killed one hen. Eaten two young chooks. We never catch her in the act. She has an eating issue. She eats EVERYTHING she will eat and vomit, eat more, vomit more… and do this all day untill easily five kgs of dog food was gone and there are piles if puke literally everywhere. She will then re eat her piles of puke. The vet says shes just like that. Im wondering if this will work on her
I’m not sure if it would work on a dog that has an eating problem like that. Maybe it would if you could keep her from eating the chicken attached to her/in her kennel.
I have 2 mastiffs 19 months old. Got chickens when they were 4 months old. They never bothered the chickens.. would even est together.. we got more smaller chickens they are or should I say were 3-4 months old.. and out of no where they killed one.. the three.. of the younger.. not they have attacked the bigger ones. We watch out cameras and it’s more like a rough play and to a attack. They done eat the chickens.. we are just baffled by this.. we are going to try this technique. I pray it works .
I hope this works for you! Good luck!
This an old tried and true method. We have utilized this a couple of times. It works very well. Dogs hate to have a nasty, dead chicken tied to their collar…we’ve left it till it is pretty smelly and gross.
You’re right, dogs do hate the stinky chicken tied to them. But you know if they found it on the ground they’d roll in it before you could stop them!
I would love to do that however my husband didn’t want to cage train the little chicken murderer and now he goes out of his mind if he is caged. There are soooo many good reasons to cage train a dog, this is just one of them. Any suggestions if you can’t keep your dog confined?
Does he do okay on a lead? I’ve also used this method on a 25 ft lead with the dead chicken tied inside a medical cone so it couldn’t be reached. This does require more supervision to prevent potential injury to the dog through tangling/fighting the lead and cone though. Let me know if this works for you!
I am so glad I found your article! Our husky just got ahold of one of our young pullets today (to be fair, she wandered into the dog pen)…. but Aspen has an issue with our morkies, so I am praying this works! She did move the chicken at one point… but it still looks intact. Couple of questions if you sill monitor this page.. How do you know when to take it out? Do you think this will work on a husky who never shows signs of remorse or shame? She just doesn’t care. She won’t even wimpier if my daughter holds her jaw shut (when she has gone after the smaller dogs.
Huskies are tricky dogs because they need constant correction and training their whole lives. They are totally worth it though!
I can’t be sure if this will work for her specifically, but I’ve personally used and seen this used on a variety of dogs without fail. She may need a trainer who specializes in aggression though, especially if she’s going after other dogs. Please update if this works!
Trying the lead technique now. My dog broke into the coop and killed three chicks, a 4th one missing.
Never had a chicken killer before, Heck, \most of my dogs in the past were the sort to cuddle up with, no matter their breed. I’ve got a GSD Husky Lab Chow rescue (his mom was a foster of mine) who picks up chicks, and carries them around like a prized play toy, without hurting them. Very Gentle.
His dad (my dog. Word of advice if you rescue/foster, make sure the rescue/shelter that sends you the dog, sends the correct paperwork. I would not have left mom alone with my dog if i hadnt gotten a spay cert from the shelter in Ohio) Will clean, groom, and ‘potty’ kittens and puppies, and even baby rabbits. He requires zero supervision when around the chickens.
But my new service dog in training, Rona…well its not entirely her fault. The chicken was dumb enough to fly back into the yard after being chased out. One bite, and done.
My usual method for dealing with animals who have a strong prey-or-play drive, is similar to this. I do not beat my dogs, but i use a Dominance method, wherein the offending dog is rolled, pinned, and harshly scolded until they either ‘pee-flex’ or cry. I am not hitting them, i pinning under me, in much the same way another dog might, and using sharp, short ‘barks’ of the word NO, in an angry tone i reserve for bad behavior.
I was sent this link by a friend when i mentioned it in a chat. I think my method will work fine, but if it doesnt, i will use this one.
I used my method to cure a former fighting dog of his cat killing habit. He now lives in a house with several cats, and sleeps on the couch with them.
I have often used the “rolling” technique for correcting other unwanted behaviors, it definitely works for most of them! I have always had huskies/husky mixes and their prey drive can be hard to manage. So far I’ve been able to correct this behavior with all prey animals except porcupines.
Good luck with your pup!
Hi…I adopted a mastif mix. He’s only 7 months and alot of dog! He has killed now 4 of my hens…here’s the odd part…only at dawn does he attack them when I have him in his paddock with his doghouse. I was hoping he’d learn to be more or a guardian against larger prey animals, but this far….he is the predator. I’ve taught him to leave them alone with a training collar…he learned super fast and ignores them….during the day and/or with me around, but this early morning time….i cringe when I go out to check. So, this isn’t his first, but I tied the chicken to his neck AND he’s in a kennel that is usually a coop as well. My hens are free range and praying he will learn and not revert and be eventually trusted…thoughts? Btw… I have only had him just over a week and the whole country living is new to him.
My dog has been killing all my chickens. She ate three in one day. ATE them all. with only a little feathers left. I KNOW she was killing them, but my husband is in denial…until today. I caught her red handed and chewed her ass out thoroughly and locked her up. I cannot get to the chicken as is it down the ravine, and I am disabled.
SO MAD AT HER. Reinforced the coop repeatedly, but I can only do so much, and since my husband did not believe me, even though I could guarantee him that those were her prints on the ground (very distinct) still would not believe me. Maybe now he will do something more about it. Never had luck with other dogs and tying chicken onto their neck, but the ostracizing part….I can see that working. Thanks for your post
I hope this method works for you!
We have a rescue pitbull (4 years) who is awesome with the chickens, chases off anything that upsets them. She had pups and we kept one, he is now 4 months old. I am retired so I keep an eye on them when the chickens (40) are out free ranging. The pup has been chasing the chickens but I catch him and put him in a small cage for a few hours when he does. Mom even tackles the pup when he is chasing them. Tonight, the chickens were back in their pen, except one (dont know how) and the pup killed it whilst I was in the house. I am trying your method as I have heard about it before. I hope it works. Thank you for listening.
Thanks for writing, please update how it works for you!
So my 2 yr old Cattle dog has killed 3 chickens over the last year. I’m doing this technique as I type. Do you see any reason I can’t leave her just in the yard with the dead chicken around her neck> As apposed to being in a pen?
What do i do if my pup killed and ate half the chicken? Im worried if if leave the chicken with her she will eat more of it. I already scolded her and tied her up.
Our dog killed three chickens…he ate two of the three and brought the other to me on the patio. We scolded him and then tried this method. Day two and he ate most of the dead chicken. Any ideas on what to do?? I really don’t want to get rid of him. He’s a really good dog aside from this incident, but we can’t have this happen again and I’m at a loss.
Hi! I hope he hasn’t gotten into your chickens again. It’s always unfortunate to loose part of your flock. If this happens again you could try use a cone flipped backwards over the chicken so your pup can’t eat the chicken tied to him. A big part of why this works is also being ostracized from his pack or family, so he’ll need to be ignored except for food and water for at least a day. Good luck, and don’t give up on him yet!