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A white-haired woman in a quilted vest scatters grain for brown hens while a black and white dog follows close beside her. 17 / 33

Grandma Went Out to Feed the Hens. Her Shadow Had Four Legs and a Big Nose.

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A golden trickle of grain spills from Grandma Nell's fingers, and four brown hens crowd in to peck it up from the concrete floor of the farm shed. Nell leans down in her olive quilted vest and cozy gray sweater, her white hair piled into a bun, watching the chickens with a gentle, focused look. Pepper is right on her heels, head low and nose aimed straight at the scattered feed, his white chest and black face set in an expression of great curiosity. Around them the shed is busy with life: a basket of gloves, rubber boots, plaid blankets draped over a rail, and potted plants near the doorway.

Many dogs can learn to live peacefully with backyard chickens, but it takes time and supervision. Introductions work best with the dog on a leash at first, rewarding calm behavior and redirecting any staring or lunging. Dogs with herding or hunting instincts in their mix may find chickens especially exciting, so it is important to never assume a dog is fully trustworthy until he has shown it consistently. Chicken feed is not a good snack for dogs, and droppings can carry germs, so discourage nibbling around the coop. A secure run and coop protect the flock whenever no one is watching.

Pepper seems to be on his best behavior today, more interested in the spilled grain than in chasing anyone.

With Nell leading the way and Pepper close behind, chicken chores look less like work and more like a morning stroll with friends.

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