When Dogs Attack Chickens

Having birds and dogs is a bit like the chicken and the egg – which came first? Regardless, unless you’ve got a pushover canine, your dog will probably need some level of training and supervision before they are considered ‘trustworthy’ around your flock. Some dogs have gentle, curious temperaments, while others are instilled with high prey drives. You may not know what you’ve got until they are put to the test.

I think the goal is to strike a balance between a combination of the right dog with the right amount of training and supervision. I’m sure just about everyone who’s kept poultry has a negative story about dogs harassing or attacking their birds, me included. Part of my reason for penning my birds was to protect them from predators, including wandering dogs. Remember that contained birds (or dogs) require not just fencing, but overhead netting to prevent unplanned meetings of the two.

I’ve written about the positive relationships between dogs and birds as well as several case studies focusing on the damage that dogs can do. Judging from the number of sad online posts featuring injured and dead chickens as the result of encounters with dogs I felt it important to remind folks, once again, that dogs – your own, your neighbours or strays – are potentially your flock’s worst nightmare.

Photo credit: Wes Newsome

True story.

My neighbours’ dogs killed my chickens. Two weeks later, they came over and attacked my dog while he was on a chain. Two weeks after that, I replaced the chickens and the dogs killed them. I told him about it and he pulled a shotgun on me so I called the cops. I filed a civil suit to get him to pay for my chickens. He got served and then he died four days later. Now everybody’s mad at me saying I stressed him out and caused him to die. He was in his late 70s. This chicken thing ain’t all is cracked up to be. – Elby Brook

Photo credit: Christie Prosch

Here’s Julio Cesar’s, one chicken keepers story:

My neighbour’s dogs broke into my chicken coop and killed every single one of my Silkie chicks. I raised them from hatchlings. Built the coop myself. Fed them every day, cleaned, protected them put in the work. In minutes, they were torn apart because someone couldn’t control their damn dogs.

I was told, “They’re just chickens.” This isn’t about chickens. It’s about responsibility. It’s about respect. You don’t let your dogs roam free and destroy what someone else built with their own two hands. Let’s be real if I had shot those dogs and said, “They’re just dogs,” it wouldn’t sit the same, would it?

Folks who’ve raised animals from scratch know this isn’t just a hobby. It’s time, effort, pride. Now all I’ve got left is an empty coop and feathers in the dirt.If you own animals do better. Keep them in your yard. Respect your neighbours. And to my chicks rest easy. You were small, but you mattered. Sweet little souls, each with their own personality. It hurts more than I can explain.

Photo credit: Julio Cesar

Incident Update

I want to thank everyone who reached out, commented, or shared advice and support. I never expected this to reach so many people. It’s incredible to discover a whole community that loves and respects chickens not just as livestock, but as pets, companions, and family. I don’t feel weird anymore for caring so much, and that means a lot.

Last night, both dog owners came to my house. We talked things through and reached an agreement about the damages. To be clear, this wasn’t about money, and it definitely wasn’t about “shutting me up.” These people are still my neighbours, and while the conversation wasn’t easy, we settled things face to face and left on decent terms. That’s something I can respect.

I stand by everything I’ve said before. This was never just about chickens. It was about responsibility, boundaries, and respecting others’ property and pets. I don’t blame the dogs, they followed their instincts. But that’s exactly why pet owners must be in control of them.

One of the owners showed up with a bit of an attitude like I was the one causing trouble. I stayed calm and charged what I felt was fair: eight chicks, raised with care and the chicken coop no extra. Then the other neighbours, the “nice” ones, showed up with the same dog that caused the damage – unleashed. No leash. No muzzle. Just walking around like it was a regular day at the park. And then, to top it off, they tried to negotiate.

The moment I heard that, I cut it short: “This isn’t a negotiation and that dog needs to be on a leash.” I wasn’t rude, but I wasn’t about to let it slide either. They hesitated, so I told them flat-out: “If you don’t like it, we can settle this in court for a lot more” In less than a minute both started pulling out their wallets. But honestly? At first It didn’t seem to sink in. The weight of what happened just didn’t hit them. Carelessness like that shows a real lack of awareness and I refused to ignore it. In the end, we parted on decent terms. They assured me their dogs would be leashed.

Rest easy, little ones. I’m starting over stronger this time. I just ordered six Silkie- Polish Frizzle-Naked Neck-Houdan cross hatching eggs and a brand new incubator to begin completely from scratch. This time, I’m doing it better, smarter, and with even more heart.

I had over 200 chickens when I was a kid, but it’s been twenty years since then. I’ll admit I didn’t even know Silkies existed until recently. I thought I knew chickens, but I realize I am just getting started.

This whole experience has been frustrating, but it also showed me how many good people are out there.

Thanks to Julio Cesar for sharing his story and photo. Featured photo credit: Jeffrey Ong