Help! My Dog Killed a Chicken – What Do I Do Now?

So your worst nightmare just happened – your dog killed one of your chickens (or maybe your neighbor’s chicken). I’ve been there, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely devastating. Your heart sinks, you feel guilty, angry, and confused all at once. But don’t panic! This situation happens more often than you might think, and there are steps you can take to handle it properly.

In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly what to do if your dog killed a chicken, why dogs attack chickens in the first place, and how to prevent it from happening again. Trust me, with the right approach, most dogs can learn to coexist peacefully with chickens.

First Things First: Your Immediate Response

When you discover your dog has killed a chicken, here’s what you need to do right away:

1. Stay calm – Yelling at your dog after the fact won’t help. Dogs don’t connect punishment with something they did hours earlier.
2. Secure your dog – Immediately separate your dog from the remaining chickens by putting them inside, in a crate, or in a secure kennel.
3. Document everything – Take photos of the scene before moving anything (especially important if it was someone else’s chicken).
4. Check your remaining flock – Look for any injured chickens that might need care.
5. Clean up – Once you’ve documented everything, remove the carcass and clean up blood and feathers.

Remember, your immediate reaction is super important. You might feel angry at your dog, but screaming at them won’t help. They don’t understand they’ve done something “wrong” – they were just following natural instincts.

Why Did My Dog Kill My Chicken?

Understanding why your dog attacked chickens helps prevent future incidents Here are the main reasons dogs kill chickens

Prey Drive

This is the most common reason. Dogs are predators by nature, and chickens look like prey to them Some breeds like terriers, hounds, and northern breeds have particularly high prey drives because they were bred to hunt smaller animals.

Playful Behavior Gone Wrong

Sometimes dogs, especially puppies and young dogs, see chickens as toys and play too roughly with them What starts as play can turn deadly because chickens are fragile

Anxiety or Stress

Dogs that feel threatened or anxious might lash out at chickens. Changes in environment or new chickens can trigger this behavior.

Hunger

While rare in pet dogs, extreme hunger can drive dogs to hunt. Make sure your dog is getting enough food.

Breed Tendencies

Some breeds are more likely to chase and kill chickens than others. According to the articles I read, these breeds often have more challenges around chickens:

• Siberian huskies
• Greyhounds
• Weimaraners
• Jack Russell terriers
• American pit bull terriers

But that doesn’t mean these breeds can’t learn to coexist with chickens! Any dog can be trained with patience and consistency.

What To Do After Your Dog Kills a Chicken

After the immediate crisis is handled, you’ll need to take further steps:

1. Implement Complete Separation

The most important thing is to keep your dog away from your chickens until you’re confident they won’t attack again. This might mean:

• Keeping your dog indoors or in a secure kennel when chickens are free-ranging
• Building a secure outdoor run for your dog
• Reinforcing your chicken coops and runs to be dog-proof
• Always supervising and keeping your dog leashed around chickens

2. Consider Training Options

Many dogs can be trained to peacefully coexist with chickens. Here are some training methods:

The “Restrain & Reward” Method

This positive reinforcement approach is my personal favorite:

• Place chickens in their pen for safety
• Leash your dog and approach the pen slowly
• Reward your dog with treats and praise as long as they remain calm
• If they bark or lunge, move further away
• Find the distance at which your dog can remain calm and work from there
• Gradually decrease the distance over time

The “Stop & Pull” Method

This is another approach:

• Leash your dog and approach chickens slowly
• If your dog reacts aggressively, say “No!” or “Stop!” firmly
• Gently pull your dog back (don’t jerk harshly)
• When they stop trying to approach the chickens, reward them
• Repeat this process, gradually getting closer each time

Teach a “Drop” Command

While this won’t prevent attacks, it could save a chicken’s life if you catch your dog in the act:

• Give your dog a toy they like
• Tell them to “Drop it” while grasping the corner
• Reward them when they release it
• Practice regularly until reliable

3. Socialize Your Dog With Chickens

If your dog hasn’t killed multiple chickens, you might be able to socialize them with your flock:

• Start with your dog leashed and chickens housed in their pen
• Approach slowly and reward calm behavior
• Let your dog smell around the exterior of the chicken run
• Gradually progress to unleashed approaches and eventually face-to-face introductions

This works best with puppies, but older dogs can learn too – it just takes more time and patience.

If Your Neighbor’s Dog Killed Your Chickens

If you’re on the other side of this situation and a neighbor’s dog killed your chickens, here’s what to do:

1. Document everything – Take photos and videos as evidence
2. Contact authorities – Call animal control and/or the police to file a report
3. Research local laws – Many states have specific laws about dogs killing livestock
4. Talk to your neighbor – Discuss the issue calmly and know your legal rights
5. Reinforce your security – Improve fencing and supervision to protect your flock

According to one of the articles I read, every state has laws regarding dangerous dogs and how to handle them. For example, Michigan’s Dog Law states: “Any person, including a law enforcement officer, may kill any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing, worrying or wounding any livestock or poultry or attacking persons, and there shall be no liability on such person in damages, or otherwise, for such killing.”

But let’s be real – most of us don’t want to resort to such extreme measures. It’s usually better to work with your neighbor and local authorities to resolve the situation.

Prevention Tips to Avoid Future Attacks

To prevent your dog from killing chickens in the future:

Physical Prevention

• Install secure fencing between dogs and chickens
• Keep chickens in a predator-proof coop and run
• Always supervise interactions between dogs and chickens
• Use a basket muzzle on your dog during supervised chicken interactions

Training & Enrichment

• Provide plenty of appropriate outlets for your dog’s energy
• Exercise your dog daily to reduce frustration
• Give your dog mental stimulation through puzzle toys and training
• Work with a professional trainer if needed

Management Strategies

• Feed your dog adequately so they’re not hungry
• Address any anxiety issues your dog might have
• Consider the living arrangement – some dogs simply cannot live safely with chickens

When to Consider Rehoming

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, some dogs simply cannot live safely with chickens. Here are signs it might be time to consider rehoming:

• Your dog continues attempting to kill chickens despite training
• You cannot provide complete separation at all times
• Your dog appears stressed being constantly managed around chickens
• You don’t have the resources to continue training and management
• Your dog injures chickens even while supervised

If you do decide to rehome, be honest about why and find a suitable home without small pets or livestock.

Which Dog Breeds Are Good With Chickens?

If you’re thinking about getting a new dog to live with your chickens, some breeds are naturally better with poultry:

• Maremma sheepdogs
• Great Pyrenees
• Komondors
• Anatolian shepherds
• Pulis

These livestock guardian breeds were specifically developed to protect farm animals, including chickens. However, even these breeds need proper training and socialization.

Final Thoughts

Finding that your dog has killed one of your chickens is heartbreaking, but it doesn’t mean your dog is “bad” or that you’ve failed as an owner. Dogs are animals with natural instincts, and sometimes those instincts conflict with our modern living arrangements.

With patience, consistent training, and proper management, many dogs can learn to live peacefully with chickens. But if your dog continues to show aggressive behavior toward your flock despite your best efforts, there’s no shame in admitting that the situation isn’t working.

Remember, your priority should be the safety of all your animals – both feathered and furry.

Have you dealt with a dog killing chickens? What methods worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!

If a dog attacks a chicken, the immediate actions are to isolate the injured bird to reduce stress and prevent further injury, and then to clean and treat the wounds with saline or an antiseptic, such as Betadine or VetriCyn, and a touch-free wound spray. Provide a warm, dark, and quiet place for the chicken to rest, and add vitamins to its water to help with recovery. Monitor the bird for signs of infection, such as discharge or swelling, and if the wounds are severe or the chicken shows prolonged distress, consider seeking veterinary care.