Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[frenchlayer]

I have a rescue poodle cross thingy, about the size of a lab, which is very good with the hens and completely ignores them if they are pecking around him, and is almost good when he gets pecked himself.

 

But he seems to take it on himself to help me round them up. Then he seems to go into herding /stalking mode and sort of lunges at them and snap, he hasn't made contact but it reminded me of collies herding sheep.

 

Does anyone else's dog do this, or am I reading too much into his behaviour?

I do tell him off when does this. I had to laugh because Egglantine turned around to him today and put all her feathers up on her head so she looked twice the size and very funny. He did take a step back !

[Stevie]

As your dog is a Poodle cross-its perfectly viable for the other bit to be a herding/droving breed like Collies,Mastiffs etc and instinct has taken over.Snapping is their way of intimidation so they move in a general direction.

 

My old dog was a Rottweiler and the breed carrys the nickname 'butchers dog'-they were originally used for herding cattle to market.While playing with children on field-mine would often herd them in a particular direction.

 

Think of yourself as blessed cos now you have an eager helper should you need to get the chooks in their run fast!

[bronze]

poodles are retrievers so maybe some instincts are coming into play

[mrsm_jones]

I have a border collie ie a HERDING dog, and he is completely USELESS at herding! He just ignores the chickens, which I suppose it probably a good thing.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

My daft mutt is scared stiff of my girls . He'll go the long way round the eglu & run if they're in the way . They're more likely to herd him .

[Gamebird]

Originally, the Standard Poodle was a retrieving, water dog. However, some untrained, instincts can turn into frenzied reactions so keep an eye out.

 

I have a well trained labrador retriever who completely ignores the chickens even when they flap and run past him.

 

It all depends on how well you know your dog.

[Nutmeg]

We have a Lurcher cross and she has definately been herding the girls this afternoon. This is the fourth day she has been in the garden with them and the herding started this afternoon.

 

At first it looked cute, but I have to watch her as I can see that she is starting to take it a bit too seriously

 

The girls just completely ignore her and even walk under her

[frenchlayer]

hi ya.

 

thank you all very much, it sounds like he is then. I don't know him that well, only had him since end of November but he is pretty bullet proof around the kids and hoovers, and household stuff.

 

I will just watch him like I have been doing. I had forgotten the standard poodles were retrievers in the past. He is not a little chappy at all, quite big, so a chook would make a nice mouthful. Not a good thought.

[Seagazer]

Cookie is a poodle/golden retriever cross. She is hopeless with the chickens but it has only been 1 week. I have just been leaving her inside the house when the girls are out. They were very upset after she chased them to begin with (long story involving husband). She sticks her head through the cat flap and whines

 

I think you have to just be very carefull. Once the girls are calmer in the garden I am going to have Cookie on the lead and see how she gets on.

Good luck

[frenchlayer]

Ah I see from your profile image she is lovely. MIne unfortunately is manky, black and grey and old !! But very sweet.

 

I did read somewhere, not sure if it was here, that you need to hold the dog and not the chickens. That way the dog still thinks he is important to you and has not been replaced by the chickens. Also he won't think you are offering them up to eat, which he will think if you hold the chickens.

 

Good luck.

[Seagazer]

Tried again tonight. Cooks was on the lead, I had a bag of treats to give her for when she ignored the chickens....... bag is still full, she was completely obsessed with watching them.

 

Dave the cat paid a visit whilst they were out as well, they just flapped a bit and then he moved off. I hope it stays that way (not holding out much hope).

 

Oh well, theres always tomorrow

[surferdog]

We introduced Roxy to our raptors on the lead. She was excited and pleased to meet them but they pecked her and she was not amused. Since then we've tried to keep them as seperate as possible.

 

She's managed to get into the Omlet netting a couple of times when they were out and they all ignore each other (even though she scoffs all their food including layers, corn and even meal worms ) Even so I wouldn't trust her not to retaliate if they decided to chase or peck her again.