Someone dropped a couple of puppies off on the road

[OCNewbie]

Very cute pups. Admirable thing you did rescuing them.

 

[Texashiker]

The female puppy (the black one) seemed back to normal this morning.

My wife and I closed the gates on the chicken yard last night. My older hens are going to be pissed off when the realize the gates are closed.

Some of the baby chicks are small enough to squeeze through the 2 x 4 inch wire. Hopefully they will stay inside the yard. In another week or so the chicks will be too large to go through the wire.

I felt so bad for the puppies yesterday. They are just doing what comes natural. Dogs are predators, they kill and eat other animals. So I am working against their natural instincts.

They got dropped off on the side of the road, were starving to death, were probably abused by the person who dropped them off, then I yell at them for killing one of my chicks. They do not understand what is going on.

 

[norseamd]

They do not understand what is going on.

they might have some idea but they still have instincts

 

[Geosurface]

The female puppy (the black one) seemed back to normal this morning.

My wife and I closed the gates on the chicken yard last night. My older hens are going to be pissed off when the realize the gates are closed.

Some of the baby chicks are small enough to squeeze through the 2 x 4 inch wire. Hopefully they will stay inside the yard. In another week or so the chicks will be too large to go through the wire.

I felt so bad for the puppies yesterday. They are just doing what comes natural. Dogs are predators, they kill and eat other animals. So I am working against their natural instincts.

They got dropped off on the side of the road, were starving to death, were probably abused by the person who dropped them off, then I yell at them for killing one of my chicks. They do not understand what is going on.

Chickens were there first and give you benefit, shouldn't have their freedom limited.

A cobra would be doing what came naturally to it to kill those chickens and bite you and your wife, and wouldn't understand when you got angry. But you're under no obligation to keep a cobra or those dogs.

It isn't on you to clean up someone else's mess. Especially when it will be massive expense for well over a decade. Already lost a chicken and it won't be the last.get 'em sorted, fed, and healthy and then give them away in the classifieds or take to shelter.

 

[OCGuy]

Well OP you did a good thing by taking them in. Hopefully you will fulfill your obligations that come along with that decision, should nobody else be willing to take them.

 

[Geosurface]

Well OP you did a good thing by taking them in. Hopefully you will fulfill your obligations that come along with that decision, should nobody else be willing to take them.

No obligations come along with it. He has done a good deed already by retrieving them from near a busy road, and feeding them. Would still be a good deed if he dropped em at a shelter today.

 

[OCGuy]

No obligations come along with it. He has done a good deed already by retrieving them from near a busy road, and feeding them. Would still be a good deed if he dropped em at a shelter today.

...

That would be sad but would still be fulfilling an obligation.

Obviously I was more referring to what comes along with owning a dog should they be kept.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Any follow up comments, Captain Caveman?

Retard. You've never owned a dog/puppy, correct? Puppies get into mischief. They want to play and sometimes they might play too rough.

If they were so aggressive and vicious, why weren't all of the chicks killed?

OP should have kept them separate and taught them to be gentle with the chicks before leaving them to be unsupervised.

Not sure who is more ignorant, you or the OP.

 

[Texashiker]

OP should have kept them separate and taught them to be gentle with the chicks before leaving them to be unsupervised.

How do you know I did not do that?

I have tried to introduce the chicks to the puppies. A few days ago I brought the puppies into the chicken yard, sat down, and petted the puppies while the chicks were foraging around us.

Before that I picked a chick up and showed it to the puppies. I petted the chick, petted the puppies, and used words like "nice". I did not mean the chick would be nice to eat.

Not sure who is more ignorant, you or the OP.

For someone who promotes kindness to animals you are not helping even in the slightest.

 

[Geosurface]

Not sure who is more ignorant, you or the OP.

It's probably me given the obvious ignorance I've displayed in this thread.

Seeing as how ignorance means a lack of knowledge on something, and I boldly asserted on page two with absolute confidence that chicken death would result from these puppies, and was swiftly told by others that this was preposterous because those dogs would actually PROTECT those chickens, and told by you that I was "ignorant" for predicting that...

... I guess I sure have egg on my face and my ignorance sure is on full display given that PRECISELY what I said would happen, did happen and in record time, at that.

Retard. You've never owned a dog/puppy, correct?

I have, but I chose a docile, intelligent, and obedient breed (Brittany Spaniel) and when selecting him as a puppy I picked him over his brother and sister because they were hyper, while he was reserved and timid. I didn't want him getting run over, and I valued docility. He was that way for life even when I tried to get him to be a bit more brave. Genes trumped anything I could do.

If they were so aggressive and vicious, why weren't all of the chicks killed?

Good call. The fact that they haven't killed every single chicken in the couple weeks they've been there totally torpedoes my point.

And I guess Zodiac wasn't such a bad guy, since he didn't murder EVERYONE in Northern California.

 

[smackababy]

How do you know I did not do that?

I have tried to introduce the chicks to the puppies. A few days ago I brought the puppies into the chicken yard, sat down, and petted the puppies while the chicks were foraging around us.

Before that I picked a chick up and showed it to the puppies. I petted the chick, petted the puppies, and used words like "nice". I did not mean the chick would be nice to eat.




For someone who promotes kindness to animals you are not helping even in the slightest.

You have to regularly socialize them. Also, dogs only understand correction, not punishment. If you don't catch them in the act, you're only sending the wrong signals if you are punishing them. They don't understand that you're yelling at them for doing something an hour ago. Let them around the chickens and when they get too frisky, give them a stern correction. Almost always a sharp voice command will work. You have to expose them to this more than once, in fact, the more the better. They will learn that the chickens are not to be played with or attacked.

Also, if you have any friends with well behaved dogs, socialize the pups with them as well. And try to get as many people around them as possible. This will ensure they are healthy, well adjusted dogs.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's probably me given the obvious ignorance I've displayed in this thread.

Seeing as how ignorance means a lack of knowledge on something, and I boldly asserted on page two with absolute confidence that chicken death would result from these puppies, and was swiftly told by others that this was preposterous because those dogs would actually PROTECT those chickens, and told by you that I was "ignorant" for predicting that...

... I guess I sure have egg on my face and my ignorance sure is on full display given that PRECISELY what I said would happen, did happen and in record time, at that.



I have, but I chose a docile, intelligent, and obedient breed (Brittany Spaniel) and when selecting him as a puppy I picked him over his brother and sister because they were hyper, while he was reserved and timid. I didn't want him getting run over, and I valued docility. He was that way for life even when I tried to get him to be a bit more brave. Genes trumped anything I could do.

Good call. The fact that they haven't killed every single chicken in the couple weeks they've been there totally torpedoes my point.

And I guess Zodiac wasn't such a bad guy, since he didn't murder EVERYONE in Northern California.

/facepalm

Let me guess your dog never played rough with a stuffed animal, never mouthed you with his teeth and you never had to correct or train him? And I bet was exposed as a pup to small animals and never chased or tried to play with them, he just knew to be gentle? Sure.

 

[Geosurface]

/facepalm

Let me guess your dog never played rough with a stuffed animal, never mouthed you with his teeth and you never had to correct or train him? And I bet was exposed as a pup to small animals and never chased or tried to play with them, he just knew to be gentle? Sure.

Only training he required was not to relieve himself indoors. He didn't chase animals, he pointed them as that behavior is genetically built in to his breed.

Never bit anyone or got rough, naturally very docile.

 

[smackababy]

It's probably me given the obvious ignorance I've displayed in this thread.

Seeing as how ignorance means a lack of knowledge on something, and I boldly asserted on page two with absolute confidence that chicken death would result from these puppies, and was swiftly told by others that this was preposterous because those dogs would actually PROTECT those chickens, and told by you that I was "ignorant" for predicting that...

... I guess I sure have egg on my face and my ignorance sure is on full display given that PRECISELY what I said would happen, did happen and in record time, at that.



I have, but I chose a docile, intelligent, and obedient breed (Brittany Spaniel) and when selecting him as a puppy I picked him over his brother and sister because they were hyper, while he was reserved and timid. I didn't want him getting run over, and I valued docility. He was that way for life even when I tried to get him to be a bit more brave. Genes trumped anything I could do.

Good call. The fact that they haven't killed every single chicken in the couple weeks they've been there totally torpedoes my point.

And I guess Zodiac wasn't such a bad guy, since he didn't murder EVERYONE in Northern California.

This is proof you know absolutely the minimum amount of knowledge required to say the word 'dog'. A Brittany is a small fowl hunting dog. They are bred for hunter and happen to have a very good temperament around people and take correction very well.

Good call on everything you said! You happen to be 100% wrong.

 

[Geosurface]

This is proof you know absolutely the minimum amount of knowledge required to say the word 'dog'. A Brittany is a small fowl hunting dog. They are bred for hunter and happen to have a very good temperament around people and take correction very well.

Good call on everything you said! You happen to be 100% wrong.

Nothing you've said in this post contradicts what I said in any way, and nothing I said is at odds with what you just said. I know what Brittanies are and are bred for.

Don't confuse not liking me with me being wrong.

Now let's hear it, clearly: what am I 100% wrong about?

 

[Scotteq]

hey TH... This is one of YOURS, right??


training them early....

 

[z1ggy]

Some dogs have a bit more pred. instinct in them by nature than others. It can be pretty hard to get this out of them 100%. However, if they are lab/pit/rot mixes, they probably don't have much prey drive in them as those breds weren't meant for hunting really. Labs were bred to have very gentle mouths as to not destory the fowl they would retrieve for the owners. Rotties and pits are working dogs.. so they never really hunted either.

OP I'd just chalk that up to pups being curious pups who don't know their own strength...Poo lil chick though. Supervise supervise supervise man!! Have you exposed them to cats or any other critters yet?

 

[Texashiker]

hey TH... This is one of YOURS, right??

training them early....

that is cute.

The puppies went after another chick yesterday afternoon.

The little chicks stayed in the chicken house as they were too afraid of the big chickens to come out.

When the gates were opened yesterday, the big hens ran off to look for food, then the little chicks came down. The chicks are small enough to fit through the wire, which they did and started scratching around.

The puppies were playing, ran to the chicks and started attacking one of them. I was watching from the backdoor of the house. I threw the door open ran to the chick yelling. The puppies saw me and took off running.

On the way home my wife and I went by walmart to pick up a few things. While we were there I picked up a couple of collars and leashes.

The dogs were caught, put on a leash and are now the deck. They can reach their house, food and water. But I can not leave them like this.

The dogs are still on their leash this morning while the chickens are out and free ranging.

I just do not know what to do. My wife and I may pick up some cable and make them a run. I just hate to keep a dog chained up like that.

The dogs and the chickens should be able to be happy and content. But the puppies want to kill the chicks. I worry about their aggression continuing and them killing full grown chickens when the puppies get grown.

Have you exposed them to cats or any other critters yet?

We have a cat, and the puppies bark at him.

 

[surfsatwerk]

We have a cat, and the puppies bark at him.

Working as intended. :thumbsup:

 

[norseamd]

you need to fix your fence or something like run some cheap wire across the holes for the temporarily

 

[z1ggy]

You should do some positive reinforcement training with the pups. Put them on leashes and bring them up to the baby chicks. OBviously have control of the dogs and let them approach chicks. When they try to attack, firmly say, NO! and give them a little yank back. Repeat until pups do NOT attack chicks, and treat IMMEDIATELY with lots of praising and petting, along with real food treats. Little bits of bacon work amazing if you don't have any dog treats.

Keep doing this over and over and over until you're sick of it. This is really the only way to teach a dog to do anything and have them consistantly do it.

Edit: You should use this time to teach basic commands, too. Sit and stay are really important ones. Even if you don't ultimately think you'll keep them (hope you do) you should name them, as well and teach them their names. Same rules apply. Say the name over and over until they look your way. Soon as they look, treat them. Repeat. They need to start associating you as master and to obey all your commands.

 

[ghost recon88]

Curious question, why on earth do the chickens need to have free range? Is this little house on the prairie? I know several people here that have 20-30 chickens (which I consider a pretty decent flock) and they have them in a penned area and they still produce eggs just fine.

 

[Texashiker]

Curious question, why on earth do the chickens need to have free range? Is this little house on the prairie? I know several people here that have 20-30 chickens (which I consider a pretty decent flock) and they have them in a penned area and they still produce eggs just fine.

That is a very good question.

Eggs from free range chickens are healthier than eggs that come from chickens who are fed only processed chicken feed. Foraging chickens find all kinds of seeds, bugs, worms, grass,,, which is then made into an egg.

DNA test on ancient chicken bones show modern chickens are descended from several attempts to domesticate wild jungle fowl somewhere around India. Free ranging allow chickens to behave just like their ancestors did. Which is go look for their food.

Saves a lot of money on feed bill. From spring to mid-winter my chickens eat very little processed food. I keep chicken feed in their feeder, but they would much rather go find a bug or dig in the dirt.

I live in a rural area with no neighbors. My nearest neighbor is my aunt who lives around 200 yards away. The other neighbor is another one of my aunts who lives about 1/4 mile away.

Have you seen the price of organic eggs?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

That is a very good question.

Eggs from free range chickens are healthier than eggs that come from chickens who are fed only processed chicken feed. Foraging chickens find all kinds of seeds, bugs, worms, grass,,, which is then made into an egg.

DNA test show on ancient chicken bones show modern chickens are descended from several attempts to domesticate wild jungle fowl somewhere around India. Free ranging allow chickens to behave just like their ancestors did. Which is go look for their food.

Saves a lot of money on feed bill. From spring to mid-winter my chickens eat very little processed food. I keep chicken feed in their feeder, but they would much rather go find a bug or dig in the dirt.

I live in a rural area with no neighbors. My nearest neighbor is my aunt who lives around 200 yards away. The other neighbor is another one of my aunts who lives about 1/4 mile away.

Have you seen the price of organic eggs?

Thanks I never really understood this either, how much space do free range chickens need?
Also how about putting together a fenced in area for the dogs to hang out in when you are not around.

 

[Texashiker]

Thanks I never really understood this either, how much space do free range chickens need?

My full grown hens have gone about 150 yards from their house. So say a 300 yard diameter circle. They like digging through leaves, grass, and anything with a line where seeds may have collected, such as a tree line or brush line.

Also how about putting together a fenced in area for the dogs to hang out in when you are not around.

That is my next project.

The current yard is around 75 x 35, or 73 x 38,,, something like that. The next yard is going to be 200 x 100.

My wife and I may have come up with a semi-solution for now. Keep the dogs chained during the day. And when the chickens go up at night and the house closed, let the dogs off the chains.

I do not like keeping the dogs chained. This is a temporary fix.