Shelties and chickens

Thanks! I hadn't thought of turkeys. We've had turkeys before, but it's usually not a good idea to mix turkeys and chickens due to disease issues. I've got a rooster that definitely would not back down, but I'm afraid that he would do some serious damage to the puppy. Never underestimate the potential for a rooster to do some damage...

That's good news to know that Shelties aren't prone to kill chickens as other dogs are.

Stephen
 
Whatever you do, don't let your Shelties near swans. They can break a man's arm, and Lord knows what they'd do to a frisky Sheltie pup! :eek2:
 
I had a dear Sheltie in the past named Honey. She was about 6 years old when we moved to a farm. She had never been exposed to chickens or ducks or small critters before. One day we were at the next-door neighbors farm where there was a hen with baby chicks down by the barn. They were walking in a long line with hen in front (naturally). The congo line got between me and Honey and she wanted to be right next to me so she just politely and carefully stepped over the line of baby chicks. Never gave them a second glance. Was just happy to get to the other side to be next to me. She reacted the same way to baby ducks that were under her feet a majority of the time. She was THE sweetest, kindest dog I have ever been the pleasure to be around. 100% completely trustworthy with any animal or human. She used to play with baby bunnies. She loved them!

I am telling you this story because Honey was six before she saw these little critters and was sweet and gentle, so I would think that since your Shiloh is being exposed to chickens as a baby, you should have no problems at all.
 
Thanks Lahree!

So far, so good. One thing he has started doing is he will walk up to a chicken while she is eating and grab her just below the wing (I think he's grabbing her leg, but I can't be sure). I think he's just getting a mouthful of feathers and then leading her around. I've never seen him with any feathers in his mouth from that, and the chickens don't seen too upset by it (though I know they don't like it). I guess the good side is that he isn't being aggressive with them or showing any tendency to harm them. Most of the time, he just sort of hangs around with them, sitting and watching them. The chickens don't try to avoid him either.

The story continues...

Thanks again!
 
An update:

Mixing the Sheltie with the chickens just isn't working out. While he has not shown any inclination to harm them, his "herding" of them causes panic in the flock - something that is definitely not good for egg production. This morning, one hen flew up into the nest box to get away from Shiloh, and ended up breaking an egg in the nest. I've been keeping them separate by just letting Shiloh out during the first part of the day, and letting the chickens out in the evening. That is not a good long-term solution though. I will probably have to put up a fence to keep them apart - something I had not wanted to do.

Stephen
 
Ah, that's a shame! Sorry it didn't work.

I have a friend who had a black lab and a white goose. I never laughed so hard the day I went to visit and the two of them played none stop. I don't know if the dog thought he was a goose or the goose thought he was a dog, but they sure played great together! :smile2:
 
BarbV said:
Ah, that's a shame! Sorry it didn't work.

I have a friend who had a black lab and a white goose. I never laughed so hard the day I went to visit and the two of them played none stop. I don't know if the dog thought he was a goose or the goose thought he was a dog, but they sure played great together! :smile2:
Click to expand...

Oh, I wish I could have seen that! Sounds like a lot of fun. An adult goose can hold its own and would probably enjoy a playful dog.

I haven't let Shiloh out while the rooster is out though. He is a mean one. I let him out today, and he went right for me. My legs hurt for a while where he got me. I lost count of the number of times I kicked him - hard, but he just kept coming back for more. I'd hate to think of what he could do to Shiloh though, with those spurs and claws. Shiloh thinks he's just playing with the rooster when he runs around his pen. The rooster is actually slamming against the fence trying to get at him. Shiloh is thinking "Come on, let's play chase," and the rooster is thinking "I'm gonna kill him."
 
Stephen said:
An update:

Mixing the Sheltie with the chickens just isn't working out. While he has not shown any inclination to harm them, his "herding" of them causes panic in the flock -
Click to expand...

:eek2: PANIC IN THE FLOCK! Now showing at a theater near you!

(Sorry. I'm such a smart a**)
 
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