Do your chickens “play” with your dog?

[Dr Evy]

When I first hatched my chickens I was quite nervous about introducing my border collie x poodle mix, Romeo, to the flock, as he can be quite intense around other animals. But to our surprise, it took just about no training for Romeo to learn that they were a part of our pack. Not soon after he was docile with them, he started “playing” with them. It was actually my chicken Bean that initiated this playing. They quite literally play a game of chicken, Romeo will come along next to the flock acting like he’s just sniffing next to them and then Bean will run at him pretending like she’s going to peck him. And as soon as she starts running at Romeo he takes off eventually circling back and sniffing near them again. After my other chickens observed this behavior, they’ve all began joining in on this “game” taking turns running at Romeo. They’ve even tried playing with my small dog Sweety, but she’s completely oblivious to their intentions.
Anyway, here’s a video of them “playing”. Not the best video of what their playing looks like, but of course as soon as a camera comes out they don’t want to do it.

Does anyone else have experience with their chickens and dogs playing?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had a dog, "Wolf" who I caught carrying a chicken to the back side of a house, when I asked what he was doing, he sat the dazed hen down on the ground and started to lick her head, like he was being nice to her, and not going to kill her.

 

[AidKD]

That's so cute!

 

[Insnesnakos]

I had a dog, "Wolf" who I caught carrying a chicken to the back side of a house, when I asked what he was doing, he sat the dazed hen down on the ground and started to lick her head, like he was being nice to her, and not going to kill her.

Has he licked other chickens? I think he likes the taste

 

[CajunRoo]

When I first hatched my chickens I was quite nervous about introducing my border collie x poodle mix, Romeo, to the flock, as he can be quite intense around other animals. But to our surprise, it took just about no training for Romeo to learn that they were a part of our pack. Not soon after he was docile with them, he started “playing” with them. It was actually my chicken Bean that initiated this playing. They quite literally play a game of chicken, Romeo will come along next to the flock acting like he’s just sniffing next to them and then Bean will run at him pretending like she’s going to peck him. And as soon as she starts running at Romeo he takes off eventually circling back and sniffing near them again. After my other chickens observed this behavior, they’ve all began joining in on this “game” taking turns running at Romeo. They’ve even tried playing with my small dog Sweety, but she’s completely oblivious to their intentions.
Anyway, here’s a video of them “playing”. Not the best video of what their playing looks like, but of course as soon as a camera comes out they don’t want to do it.

Does anyone else have experience with their chickens and dogs playing?

My dog likes to play with any chicken with her mouth and teeth.. aggressively.

 

[KKicons]

To me, your chickens look like they are telling the dog to get lost, but they don't look stressed. Many dogs start by playing and later escalate, but this one does seem pretty harmless. I am dealing with cats playing with my outside chicks atm.

 

[Jenbirdee]

When I first hatched my chickens I was quite nervous about introducing my border collie x poodle mix, Romeo, to the flock, as he can be quite intense around other animals. But to our surprise, it took just about no training for Romeo to learn that they were a part of our pack. Not soon after he was docile with them, he started “playing” with them. It was actually my chicken Bean that initiated this playing. They quite literally play a game of chicken, Romeo will come along next to the flock acting like he’s just sniffing next to them and then Bean will run at him pretending like she’s going to peck him. And as soon as she starts running at Romeo he takes off eventually circling back and sniffing near them again. After my other chickens observed this behavior, they’ve all began joining in on this “game” taking turns running at Romeo. They’ve even tried playing with my small dog Sweety, but she’s completely oblivious to their intentions.
Anyway, here’s a video of them “playing”. Not the best video of what their playing looks like, but of course as soon as a camera comes out they don’t want to do it.

Does anyone else have experience with their chickens and dogs playing?

my chickens do the same thing to my dog but i didn’t think they were playing. i think they are chasing the dog away.

 

[AGeese]

My dog will try to play or give them a little scare so kinda of the opposite. Though one of my younger Buckeyes will step to him if he gets close

 

[Loving my girls]

My dog, Alfie, keeps away from chickens coz they have a pointy end and chase him (little dog) my golden retriever on the other hand just runs through them and they scatter in all directions

 

[The Coop Crew]

My dog really wants to be best friends with our chickens but I have to watch her close because the chickens are only 12 weeks old so they’re still pretty small but she loves them. She will just lay down and watch them.