Hen attacks my puppies

[chemorga]

Has anyone ever had any experience with a hen going after puppies? I have a puppy pen that the puppies can't get out of, but the chickens are able to get in and out of. One of my hens just started getting on top of one of the puppies, flapping it's wings and making the puppy cry. I can't tell if she's just scaring him or actually attacking him - luckily I haven't found an actual injury on the pup. What might have prompted this behavior and how can I get her to stop??

 

[Abriana]

She could think he is another chicken and is trying to establish dominance. I would suggest a pen that the puppies can be totally separate but can still see each other so the dog won’t attack the chickens when they grow up.

 

[chemorga]

The puppies are for sale, so they won't be here when they grow up. I just need her to not attack or scare them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you get some chicken wire or even bird netting and wrap the perimeter of the puppy pen with that? The one good use for it is to keep chickens OUT of things.

 

[sourland]

Put a cover over the puppy pen or lock up the hen until the pups are sold. Timid pups make a poor impression on buyers.

 

[Folly's place]

Scaring these puppies is bad, and they need to be protected from your hen. She's defending from a (future) predator, which makes sense to her, but you need to prevent this.
mary

 

[snow5164]

What was said about chicken wire is true , attach it around the perimeter then scrunch it up , chickens should be scared of it and won’t be able to land on it , good luck ! What kind of puppies? Can we see a picture?

 

[aart]

making the puppy cry

What is the 'puppy cry'?
Got video?

Agrees with the others who suggest fencing the chickens in or out to deny access to pups.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

You guys just want to see the cute puppies...... admit it!

 

[lazy gardener]

Puppies MUST be protected from the chickens. But, what ever you come up with to do so must be "puppy proof". Puppies are notorious at figuring out new and novel ways to injure themselves.