If you have chickens at your home and are wondering whether getting a husky is the right choice, then you are in the right place. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding huskies with chickens and whether they can get along.
We’re here to clear some of those up and make sure that you have all of the information that you need in order to make the decision that you need to make. Read along to learn more about whether huskies are good with chickens.
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Should I Get a Husky if I Have Chickens?
In short, it’s a bad idea to get a husky if you have chickens. Huskies are bred to be working dogs and they have a high prey drive. This means that they are more likely to see chickens as prey rather than friends.
This is not to say that all huskies will attack and kill your chickens – it’s just something that you need to be aware of and take into consideration when making your decision.
Husky Puppies Around Chickens
Though it’s not likely that an adult husky will ever come into an environment with chickens and be able to behave, it’s possible for huskies and chickens to co-exist when the husky is brought up around chickens and other animals.
The husky will likely see the chickens as part of its pack and will not view them as prey. However, even in this case, it’s important to supervise all interactions between huskies and chickens to be on the safe side.
Can Huskies Protect Chickens?
Under the right circumstances, huskies can protect chickens. If the husky sees the chickens as part of its pack, then it will likely protect them from predators and other animals.
However, since huskies have such a high prey drive, there’s always the potential for them to view the chickens as prey – even if they’ve been raised around them.
This is why it’s so important to never leave chickens and huskies unsupervised and to always be on the lookout for any potential problems.
Can You Train a Husky to be Around Chickens?
Yes, you can train a husky to be around chickens. It’s important to start socialization and training early on, though, so that the husky knows that chickens are not prey.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re supervising all interactions between the husky and chickens and that you’re never leaving them unsupervised.
It’s also important that you introduce huskies to chickens very gradually and on a leash. If you do all of these things, then it’s possible to have a husky that is around chickens without any problems. Still, we wouldn’t call it likely.
Will a Husky Kill Chickens?
Huskies are almost guaranteed to want to chase and at least harass your chickens. However, it’s also very likely that they will kill chickens. Huskies can be very dangerous to chickens under almost any circumstance.
If you care about your chickens and want them to survive, it’s probably best not to get a husky that will be around them regularly.
Chickens Can Be Stressed With a Husky Around
Chickens are very easily stressed. This means that even if your husky is not trying to kill your chickens, the mere presence of a husky can be enough to stress out your chickens and make them more likely to die.
For this reason, it’s important to think about whether or not you’re okay with the potential for your chickens to be stressed out just by having a husky around.
In addition to causing your chickens to have a poor quality of life due to stress, you might also see drastically reduced egg production, which for many, defeats the purpose of having them altogether.
How to Keep Huskies on Their Best Behavior
If you have a husky, there are some things that you should know in order to keep them on their best behavior. If you want to have the best experience possible with your husky, you should most definitely take these suggestions into account.
Plenty of Exercises
Huskies are working dogs and need plenty of exercise. Without it, they can become destructive and disobedient. The best way to provide them with the exercise they need is to take them on at least two walks a day, one of which should be relatively long.
You should also try to give them other opportunities to run and play, such as going to a dog park or letting them play in a fenced-in yard.
A Consistent Training Schedule
Huskies need to be trained consistently in order to behave properly. This means that you should make sure to set aside some time each day to train your husky, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Some things you might want to work on with your husky include basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, come, and down. You should also work on teaching them not to pull on the leash and to walk calmly by your side.
A Well-Rounded Diet
You should make sure to feed your husky a high-quality dog food that is specifically designed for working dogs. You might also want to supplement their diet with some raw meat, such as chicken or beef.
The benefits of raw meat are that it is packed with nutrients that can help keep your husky healthy and energized. It can also help to reduce the amount of shedding that they do.
An Appropriate Living Situation
Huskies need to live in an appropriate living situation in order to be happy and healthy. This means that they need plenty of space to run and play, as well as a comfortable place to sleep.
If you live in an apartment or small house, it might not be the best idea to get a husky. However, if you have a large yard and a spacious home, then a husky would likely do well.
Are Huskies Good with Other Animals?
So, we have our answer about chickens. But those with a homestead that has chickens might also be interested in whether huskies are good with animals other than chickens.
Cats
The relationship between huskies and cats can, at some times, be testy. Huskies can get along great with cats, but they can also be dangerous to them.
It really depends on the husky and the cat in question and the upbringing of the husky. Huskies might easily see cats as prey and injure them. This is not at all outside of the range of possibilities.
Cattle
Huskies can do well with cattle, but there are a few things you should take into consideration.
Though huskies are prey-driven, cattle are large enough that they should be able to avoid any injury from huskies. The only potential hazard would be if you have multiple huskies around that can team up on cattle.
Sheep
Huskies are certainly large enough to take down a sheep by themselves, should they choose to do so. It would be unwise to leave your sheep alone with a huskie, especially if they are not used to being around sheep or are not properly trained.
Conclusion – Keep your chickens safe
Huskies are not necessarily the best animals to have around chickens. This is because they are prey-driven and might see chickens as something to chase and even kill. In addition, huskies can be quite stressful for chickens, which can lead to reduced egg production.
