Things That Will Eat Your Chickens And Ruin Your Day, Part 3: The Neighborhood Dog Who Thinks Chickens Are Just Feathered Squeaky Toys

Jason Trama
Jun 19
2 min read

You’ve foiled the weasels. You’ve outwitted the hawks. But just when you think your hens are safe, here comes trouble wagging its tail and carrying a Labrador-sized grin.

Yes, friends. We’re talking about the neighborhood dog — that loveable goofball who wouldn’t hurt a fly… unless the fly happens to be wearing feathers and clucking near a fence.

🐕 Fluffy, the Unintentional Chicken Terminator

Let’s be clear: most dogs aren’t malicious.

They’re just built with the following factory settings:

CHASE SMALL THINGS → BITE SMALL THINGS → SHAKE SMALL THINGS.

To them, a chicken isn’t a living creature with hopes and dreams.

It’s a high-end chew toy that runs on batteries and smells like snacks.

Breed doesn’t matter: Labs, German Shepherds, Border Collies, even your neighbor’s 14-year-old poodle mix named Muffin can be a chicken’s worst nightmare.
Motivation: Not hunger. Not survival. Just unfiltered, off-leash enthusiasm.
Damage report: Often worse than predators. Dogs will kill multiple chickens in a frenzy — and then act shocked when you cry.

🚩 Warning Signs That Fluffy’s Got Homicidal Hobbies

Frequent “visits” to your property
Piles of feathers and a tail wagging suspiciously
Your hens refusing to leave the coop, clutching tiny chicken pearls
A neighbor casually asking, “So… how attached are you to your Rhode Island Reds?”

🧰 Defense Tips: Love Your Dog, Lock Your Fence

Secure your perimeter
- A dog-proof fence is tall (at least 5 feet), sturdy, and ideally has no dig zones at the base.
- For chronic diggers, lay chicken wire flat on the ground outward from the fence like a predator mat.
Supervise free-range time
- Letting your hens wander without keeping an eye out is like sending toddlers into traffic with a juice box.
- Especially in suburban or rural areas, someone’s dog will wander eventually.
Talk to the humans
- If you know whose dog it is, have the conversation early. Be friendly but firm.
- Most owners have no idea their sweet baby just went full Jurassic Park on your Silkie.
Add barriers inside the yard
- Shrubs, trellises, even temporary fencing can slow a dog’s chase and give hens places to hide.
- Dogs chase what they can see and access. Make it difficult.
Trail cameras
- If you’re suspicious but haven’t caught the culprit: get proof.
- It helps with discussions, insurance, and the inevitable neighborhood group text war.

Bonus: What NOT to Do

Don’t rely on verbal commands like “No, Fluffy!” if Fluffy isn’t yours.
Don’t assume “he’s never done that before” means it won’t happen again. It will.
Don’t booby trap your yard — it’s illegal and dangerous. Your chickens deserve protection, not lawsuits.

Final Bark of Wisdom

Chickens and dogs can co-exist — but only when the humans are smarter than both of them.

Protect your flock, be a good neighbor, and remember: if it has teeth, it’s a threat until proven otherwise.

Next time on “Things That Will Eat Your Chickens and Ruin Your Day": The mysterious menace of snakes in your nesting boxes (because your hens weren’t having enough nightmares already).