pickled egg Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hello, although I'm a newbie on this forum we have had our hens for 2 years now. We also have 2 large lurchers - very greyhoundy, and a whippet. I guess they are all different. The girl lurcher is, i think, an ex coursing dog - we rescued her as an abandoned stray, but she has a very strong chase instinct with anything except the hens - maybe she grew up on a farm. The boy lurcher initially chased them - and even caught one but was so suprised he dropped it immediatly with no harm done. He learnt quickly, especially with the use of a water pistol, and now completely ignores them. The whippet is just over 1 year old and very giddy so does chase them if they cross her path and she is already running, but she knows its wrong and is getting better by the day. We of course tell her off but not half as much as the hens do! They seem pretty un-phased by it all and certainly could not be accused of being shy or retiring! One day last summer (ahh summer....) we left the back door open and I came in to find a hen sitting next to the lurchers on the sofa In my experience they do all settle down happily in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 We have been very suprised that the hens dont seem bothered by our dog-we thought they would run away if she approached them but they don't. They seemed to be very friendly since they ventured out of their house-if you go out they come and see you and then if you go round their run they follow which i think is very sweet! Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 Thank you Emma and bob bob nip, you have both been very reassuring, Hope you got a photo of you lurchers and hen on the sofa! Poppy has not been too bad today, I think she is getting the hang of things slowly. I do worry that she might catch one though as she caught a wild rabbit once, hung on to it and shook it till it died and then ripped it to bits and ate it, much to my horror. I must send a MILLION thanks to dear Christian who so kindly posted my photos on the forum for me even though he is not feeling 100%, what a star. Hope you like my lilac eglu Chelsea! As I was telling Christian earlier I clipped the wings of 2 of my girls today and when I gave them both a kiss to say sorry(!) I noticed that they smell really nice.......! Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Oh wow, that lilac eglu is so I can't have another eglu, but maybe I can save up for a lilac grub! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 The lilac Eglu is very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I love the colour of the lilac Eglu Your chickens are very pretty as well Where did you buy the egg bowl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicki9 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 that lilac eglu is sooo cool. wouldn't it look great, in my garden, with some bantams in... Your chickens look lovely too, bluebelle's are so pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 We have a border terrier called Dennis and I was despairing when we first got our chickens as he was soooo intersested - as a terrier he will chase anything that moves, especially if it flaps as well! But he has been out and around them in the run and the other day I thought I woudl have a go - I keep his attention on something fun whilst they run across the garden but then he pretty much ignores them - he will stare if they get close, but they have had a couple of goes at him and if he needs to get past them will slink very handbaggily by - they don't like him getting close even if he isn't afte rthem....so time and getting him used to them in the run will surely help. on a greyhound note, I have friends who combine theirs with chickens and they "play" together - his chickens have got used to being chased and don't mind it, but he does go for it! And on the husband note, I am amazed and amused by how many of our boys say " we are NOT having chickens" only to find themselves caving in shorty afterwards.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 dog are eventually ok, well mine are...you get the odd chasing but thats all...i should imagine it would depend on the breed!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thank you for all your replys! I am much more confident that we will soon have peace and harmony than I was a week ago Poppy is getting better by the day, still chases a bit but gets confused when they all run in different directions! I have cut down on the treats a bit or she will get fat I think part of the problem is that our house fronts a river and every time we go out she chases the ducks back into the water, I have always let her do this but of course she now needs to know that is OK out the front but not out the back At the moment I am trying to get my 24 year old son to finish digging my "chicken pit" We have started digging out a low bed, edged with decking board that I can fill with wood chips, the top of the boards will be level with the grass. I think it will look good when it is finished but I have not seen Aaron since Monday I just text him to say that digging is cheaper than the gym and better for you lol Hopfully he will come back when he runs out of food, otherwise hubby will have to do it on Sunday. Trouble is I am very impatient and want it done yesterday! Dennis is a brilliant name for a dog! I am doing exactly as you are with keeping her attention so fingers crossed, it is a bit of a shame really as Poppy was here first! Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 all sounds like a good plan! Yes, Dennis was chosen by me and my 2 daughters because he looks like an old man ( we wanted to get 2 and call the other one Norman!) and because we feared he may be a menace..but he is a big softy really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Pretty colour, but a tad too girlie for me.. orange or purple for this girl. I have no doubt that my old lurcher would have tried it on with the hens; she was very obedient, but had strong hunt/chase instincts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Update on the bouncy labrador Good day today Poppy has been almost perfect! I think that just another couple of days and we will have cracked it! It just started to rain here and the girls rushed into the run to shelter under the shade bless them! For the people who asked where I got my egg bowl from -I'm sorry I got it for Christmas about 6 years ago, I think it has been hand painted. It looks especially nice with home grown eggs in it! Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hello! I have a chicken called Poppy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hey....good choice!!! I have a daughter called Daisy!!! Julie x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hi Julie, have a look at my thread 'Lilac Eglu' in the 'Eglus and Cubes' section - you can have a little lilac eglu in your signature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thank you Fee, will do! Do you have a lilac eglu too? Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Julie, I've popped a lilac eglu into your signature for you in admin . Welcome to the forum. Expect plenty of lilac Eglu envy . It's beautiful . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thank you Kate, the little lilac eglu is SO sweet and my daisy looks great! Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy's mum Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 A couple of days ago Poppy was behaving really well and was just mooching round the garden while I was hanging out the washing and generally ignoring the hens. Suddenly she started chasing them and they all ran in different directions...I REALLY lost my temper and shouted at her, hauled her inside and sent her to her bed. She was SO shocked! I had never really shouted at her like that before! Anyway, I have only had to do this a couple more times and now she is good as gold, although I would not trust her completely yet of course Julie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
