Question about pets and chickens

[Raubkatze]

I've noticed some people who brood their chicks inside mention that they also want their dog to get use to the chicks and visa versa. I'm also brooding mine inside as it hasn't been above the 20s since I got them. However, I worry that too much interaction with my indoor animals might make them less warry of outdoor predators. Is this a valid concern, or am I over thinking this?

 

[GracePoultry]

it is possible. my chickens never interacted with any of my pets when they were babies, but still ended up being super chill around each other anyways.
As long as their run and coop are predator proof then they will be ok, if they will free range like mine, there are some thing you can do to deter predators. Black chickens, shiny objects, mountain lion urine, fake owl, crow kites, etc. the biggest protection I have is our dogs, but I also do some other things.

Good luck!!

 

[Raubkatze]

it is possible. my chickens never interacted with any of my pets when they were babies, but still ended up being super chill around each other anyways.
As long as their run and coop are predator proof then they will be ok, if they will free range like mine, there are some thing you can do to deter predators. Black chickens, shiny objects, mountain lion urine, fake owl, crow kites, etc. the biggest protection I have is our dogs, but I also do some other things.

Good luck!!

I went with black feathered breeds by chance, I didn't realize they were less likely to be preyed on? I will have a 13x9 foot run, but I would like to be able to free range them on nice days. My husband hopes that they will help with some of our stink bug and boxelders that invade our house every year. I am not sure if they will make any impact or not, but we can hope.

I doubt my 15 pound Westie will do much of anything against our predators around here!

 

[DLA]

I've noticed some people who brood their chicks inside mention that they also want their dog to get use to the chicks and visa versa. I'm also brooding mine inside as it hasn't been above the 20s since I got them. However, I worry that too much interaction with my indoor animals might make them less warry of outdoor predators. Is this a valid concern, or am I over thinking this?

My chicks have met several of my indoor cats while they were inside in the brooder. Doesn't seem to have made them any less wary of the random stray that comes by outside. Chickens can recognize different people and animals (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/facial-recognition.1609709/) so unless the outdoor dog or cat looks exactly like your pets, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It depends, maybe? I have 3 dogs, my flock is quite fond of my male dog and will follow him around the fence line. They're indifferent to the smaller female and scared of the bigger female, so they've learned to differentiate between friendly dog and not friendly dog.

I used to puppysit for my in laws and their puppy looked a little similar to my male. The chickens quickly saw her as not friendly but would still walk up to the fence to say hi to my male.