Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[sheik]

(I can't search to see if this topic has been dicucssed already as the forum search facility has been temporarily taken offline)

 

Does anybody have or know someone with a pet weimaraner and pet chickens?

We're tempted to get a puppy and try and train him to be calm with the birds, although we accept that they'd only be able to be in the garden together when we were present.

 

Any info or advice appreciated!

 

/\dam

[Kittycat]

Hi Adam

 

I don't have my chickens yet (picking them up tomorrow, yay) but I do have a Labrador and know a lot about dogs (one of my jobs is offering help desk support to people with problem dogs).

 

Weimaraners are great dogs but they have HUGE amounts of energy and need tons of physical AND mental stimulation. An adult Weimaraner really needs at least 2 hours free running exercise every day, plus short daily training sessions and plenty of safe chew toys (Kongs stuffed with a little food are brilliant for keeping a dog's brain and jaws safely occupied). The reason I say all this is that I think a Weimaraner would work with chickens BUT only if you have the time to give to the training and exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog and less likely to get into other sorts of mischief.

 

My own Lab is 8 years old now and has a superb temperament, but I will still be taking care with introduction to the chickens, keeping him on the lead initially and praising him for listening to me (teaching the 'leave' command from an early age is really useful).

 

I hope this helps - I don't think this is so much a question about chickens, rather a question as to whether a high-maintenance Weimaraner is really the breed for you and, if so, how much time you're prepared to give to training.

 

Good luck!

[jackiepoppies]

Hi,

 

I have a Weimaraner x German Pointer who is 5 years old.

 

She is well trained and has plenty of exercise but I wouldn't trust her with my chickens in a million years

 

She will catch mice, rabbits etc. etc. and her 'hunting' mode is never switched off

 

For peace of mind, don't do it unless you have a very secure run, preferably one where the dog couldn't even see the chooks

 

One of my chooks flew onto the cube roof and it caused mayhem until I could get Sophie in the house and put the chook back in her pen.

 

As for free ranging, even under supervision....forget it Once she gets 'tunnel vision' it is very difficult to stop her.She once (and only once ) stampeded a herd of cows until she realised how much bigger they were.....and the bull stopped to confront her

 

Hope this is of some use. This is only my experience, someone else might have a different

experience with this gorgeous breed.

 

Jackiex