Generally, no – huskies are not good with chickens. Siberian Huskies have a strong prey drive, and many will chase, injure or kill chickens if they get the chance. A husky raised around chickens from puppyhood may learn to coexist with them, but even then it should never be left alone with your flock.
If you have chickens and are wondering whether getting a husky is the right choice, read on for what to expect, whether training helps, and how to keep both safe if you already have both.
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. If you're still weighing up breeds, our Akita vs Husky comparison covers temperament, size and exercise needs.
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. We look at how much young huskies rest in do husky puppies sleep a lot.
A husky raised this way may come to see the chickens as part of its household rather than as prey. However, prey drive can still kick in later, for example when a chicken flaps or runs, so it’s important to supervise all interactions between huskies and chickens to be on the safe side.
Can Huskies Protect Chickens?
Some huskies raised with chickens may help deter predators, simply by being around and barking at intruders. But huskies aren’t livestock guardian dogs, and you shouldn’t count on one to protect a flock.
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?
Most huskies will want to chase and at least harass your chickens, and many will kill them if given the chance. 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 long-term stress can make them more prone to illness.
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.
If You Already Have a Husky and Chickens
If you already live with both, management is what keeps your flock safe:
- Build a husky-proof coop and run. Use sturdy welded wire rather than chicken wire, cover the top, and bury the wire or add an apron along the bottom, because huskies are skilled diggers.
- Keep the husky leashed or fenced. Never let your husky roam the property off-leash when the chickens are out, and make sure your yard fence is high and secure enough – huskies are known escape artists.
- Never leave them alone together. Even a husky that has been calm around the flock for months can snap into chase mode.
- Work on impulse control. A solid “leave it” and recall help, but treat them as backup, not your main safety plan.
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.
1Plenty 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.
2A 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.
3A Well-Rounded Diet
You should make sure to feed your husky a high-quality, complete and balanced dog food suited to its age and activity level – a high-performance formula is only needed if your husky is truly working hard, like pulling sleds or running long distances.
If you’re thinking about adding raw meat, talk to your vet first. Raw diets can carry bacteria like Salmonella that affect both dogs and people, and a homemade diet needs careful balancing. A good diet does help keep your husky’s coat healthy, but no food will stop a husky from shedding. For bath time, see our picks for the best deshedding shampoo for huskies.
4An 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.
1Cats
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.
2Cattle
Huskies can do well with cattle, but there are a few things you should take into consideration.
Though huskies are prey-driven, adult cattle are large enough that a single husky is unlikely to seriously injure them. Calves are much more vulnerable, though, and multiple huskies can team up. Chasing also stresses cattle, and your husky could get kicked or trampled, so keep your dog away from livestock unless it’s well supervised.
3Sheep
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 husky, 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.
