chickens

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vixann

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My youngster went out yesterday and killed a chicken and broke anothers foot, she is deliberately aiming for them - none of the other horses are bothered and she has never had a 'bad chicken experience' has anyone ever managed to introduce chickens in a way that she will stop been a chicken killer or am I doomed forever?

ps before anyone says don't put her out with chickens - I realise this but looking for options to maybe desensitise her?
 
Not sure what you can do really if the chickens are freeroaming. It's a shame but I have seen similar. I watched a horse I had go into his paddock where there were about 15 chickens happily pecking about in the middle in a group, and he deliberately kind of broncked into the middle of them and struck out with his forelegs. Thankfully he didn't get any.

Have also seen a horse pick up a cat by it's tail and fling it across the yard! The cat was just minding it's own business but walked by the front of this horse. Luckily it was not injured, only it's pride I think.

Perhaps you could clear the chickens from his paddock before you turn him out?
 
If it was me, I'd stock fence her paddock to keep the chickens out.

I know of quite a few horses who really go for dogs in fields, and yet, on the yard and when being ridden they are fine with the dogs around them. It seems that when the horses are left to their own devices on their own territory, some horses just can't be trusted not to chase a wandering foreign species (and I guess it is the same with the chickens?) I can't bring my dog poo picking with me if the horses are in the field, for fear of her being chased and trampled on, yet I can safely ride out with my dog alongside.
 
well my idea was to open the barn doors so on a night (when chicks in) horses could come and go in paddock as they pleased (have to shut barn doors through day otherwise chicks would be everywhere!!) but wanted them out through the day plus they need to get used to field before they go out at night - farm is practically sold so the horses rnt allowed to go in proper field as they will make a mess so I am informed!!
so.... yes i could bring chicks in whilst i put horses out but would then have to let them out - she didn't mind them as long as they didn't go near here but when they decided to tear round the field she deliberately went to kick/stand on them - bitch
 
Chickens will soon learn to get out the way, my youngsters have many a happy hour tormenting the chickens and any dog that makes the mistake of going in.
 
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