[MillysMom]

I tried feeding a whole egg (I usually feed raw, but sometimes hard boiled), but I just couldn't bring myself not to crack the shell. I still give her the shell, but I crack it. I grew up on a farm with chickens, and was always told NEVER let a dog crack an egg themselves, or they'd always be trying to get into the chicken coop. I don't have chickens right now, but Milly occasionally is on farms with chickens. I kind of think this theory was in a dog movie too... maybe Old Yeller? Anyways, with the recession I really want to be as self sufficient as possible and would like to be able to get some chickens for eggs and to slaughter, but I'd hate for my dog to try to steal the eggs and get into the chicken house. What do y'all think? Anyone live on a farm and feed eggs? Do you think the risk is real, or is that an urban legend kind of like the once a dog tastes blood they'll kill your chickens too...

If my spelling in this post is ridiculous it's because Firefox isn't working on my computer tonight... and I'm very dyslexic.

 

[fostermom]

I heard the same thing growing up on a farm.

I really don't believe it now that I understand dogs and their behavior. If they are taught that the chickens need to be left along, and they aren't chicken killers to start with (high prey drive), then I don't see that giving them an uncracked egg would make any difference. Though I think I would crack the egg anyways because I would be afraid of them trying to swallow it whole and choking on it!

 

[Loisiana]

I think that probably if you give them a whole, uncracked egg and encouraged them to eat it, they would then be likely take them on their own (if they liked it). Same theory for chickens...just giving them chicken meat isn't going to make them want to go eat a live chicken, but if you give them a live chicken and encourage them to kill it and eat it then they would be more likely to do it again on their own.

 

[coppers-mom]

I had to recently give up on chickens because of hawks, but did have a few for a couple of years.

Copper cracked his own eggs and also would really have LOVED to get in the chicken coop. I only let him in there after I had gotten the eggs so he was never really sure where they came from or he would have been following the chickens around kind of like he follows the horses waiting for "treats". :doh: My BassettX is a little slow so he had to wait for Copper to crack his egg for him - and then Copper got some of his egg too!:

Neither dog was a problem with the chickens (after initial training), but if an egg had been laid in the yard, I am sure it woud have been a goner.

I doubt it will matter if Milly cracks her own egg. Just don't let her find out where they come from.:

 

[MillysMom]

Milly would probably get in with the chickens if she could, but she does know "leave it" and that seems to really work. We had to cover our chicken coop with mesh netting because of the hawks in SC. I think I'll let her crack her egg tonight! I just will never teach her where the eggs come from. Milly loves horse poop, but she's terrified of the horses (not a bad thing in my opinion).

 

[coppers-mom]

Copper can crack and egg and he is elegant about using one canine tooth. Jack on the other hand carries it around and looks confused.
Big brother Copper gladly halps out.

The horses know that the dogs are not to be threatened in any way. The dogs also know to not harass the horses,but do sometimes get under their feet while searching for treats. We take trail rides together and have a great time. I do have to look out for Copper suddenly trying to pass and being underfoot. No accidents in 5 years so I think we have it worked out.

I hope Milly has a great time with her "new" treat. It might take her a little while to figure it out though.