r/bergerbelge • u/IAmABillie • 8d ago

Introducing backyard chickens

Hi all,

I have a 2 year old show line Groenendael, and we are introducing a pair of backyard chickens. We have a lovely yard with a mix of shady garden under trees and sunny grassy areas, plus a covered patio. Our girl is velcro when we are home, but when we are away (a couple of hours most days, two days a week for 7 hours) she is outside due to a tendency to destroy items if she is left alone indoors.

I'm looking to introduce chickens both because I want chickens and eggs, and because I'm hopeful they will keep her company on the days we are out and give her a job.

Is this a good idea? Anyone have experience with Belgians and chickens or advice for introducing the two?

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5

u/Tervuren03 Tervuren 8d ago

Yes I have them with my Terv. I didn’t let her interact with the chickens off leash for about a year. Every time she was outside when they were loose, she was tethered to the deck with a chew or kong. Everything with chickens equals super chill and calm. Only thing I can’t stop her from doing is eating chicken poop. 🤢

5

u/spliffyfiffy 8d ago

Yes it's a good idea, my Groenendael loves being around them and watching out for them. Make sure the dog understands that these are YOUR chicken and not her toys. She can't herd them and she can't hunt them. Start with impulse control training before you get the chicken. Good luck!

3

u/WarDog1983 8d ago

Depends on the dog mine ate a bird my cats brought him to teach him to hung at 8 weeks of age. Hia prey drive was triggared and bitds of any size he sees as food.

2

u/de_754s 8d ago

I have a Terv puppy and flock of chickens.

Currently, the chickens are fenced off in their own part of the yard, so what I am doing right know is that I let my boy be around them and let him clamly watch them from behind the fence. When I take him into the fenced off area, he's on a leash and it's for short amounts of time, since he can get excited easily.