PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Received my eglu!yippee! I also managed to get hold of 2 point of lay 'warren' hens, are these good hens to start with as i couldnt find them in the breeds list on omlet,i dont really know much about them.She said they were good layers, she also advised to keep them inside the eglu for the first 24 hours to familiarise them with it,is this good advice??Any advice welcome to a rookie chook keeper!!!!I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Oh, i also have dogs,will this stress the chickens out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecky Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hi Philip, Oh, i also have dogs,will this stress the chickens out? Welcome to the newcomer club! I've got my chickens on Friday. They are hybrids and hence might be a bit more laid back, I don't know, however as for the dogs. They can't be bothered about them at all. I have a Labrador and a Labrador cross which are both extremely interested in the chickens. When they approach, the chickens don't bother and just carry on what they are doing. I should say, they are in the cube run, not free roaming. I think the runs are sturdy enough to keep dogs at bay, so just see what is happening and tell the dogs to behave. I doubt that I ever will trust my ones with the chicken on their own, but am looking for good behaviour when we are out together. If you look through the forum, some people are lucky enough to have dogs that mingle with the chickens and don't bother at all. I guess all a question of training and character. Have fun with your ladies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 (edited) hi phillip i have 10 warrens and they are great breeds and are the same as the omlet gingernut ranger which you can see here:http://www.omlet.co.uk/breeds/breeds.php?breed_type=Chickens&breed=Gingernut%20Ranger mine have just started laying so i'm getting about 7 eggs a day from them and they are very docile and tame and will follow you round the run which can get quite annoying cause you keep tripping up on them josh Edited February 16, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the eggman cometh Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hi, Warrens are the common garden "supermarket egg" hen. should reliably give you 6 eggs a week each. probably wont go broody and should be reasonably easy to look after. Some would say, if all you want is normal eggs (ie not coloured shells etc) and lots of them, then they are the perfect bird. As for dogs. our two (although they are getting better) will run up and down the outside of the run, or bark at the windows when the girls are free ranging, but once they ahve been pecked a few times (we have one girl that stands her ground and if the dogs get to near to the run she will peck them through the run) they lose interest. Having said that, I would never let the dogs and the girls meet face to face as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 (edited) sorry dont mind me i'm not very good at pictures Edited February 16, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hi Philip, Warrens are hybrids and as such, can be called anything the breeder chooses - rather like Omlet's Gingernut Rangers. Hybrids are great for beginners - mosy of us start with them - as they are easy to manage and are good layers. Definitely a good idea to keep them in their run to begin with (not in the Eglu itself) so they get to know where home is. As for your dog, I would give them time to settle in before you introduce them. Then, do it carefully with them in the run and the dog on a lead. Some dogs virtually ignore chickens, others are inclined to give chase at first. You'll just have to be careful in the beginning. Good luck and welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the eggman cometh Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 not sure I can add yours as I dont use photo bucket and if I try your link it take me to "recent pics" however heres on or ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Congratulations on your girls The way I did the introductions with the girls and my dog was slowly (apart from when some kind soul in my house let the dog out and she chased and caught one of the girls OH!!) . I had Cookie on a short lead and sat with her when I let the girls free range. I did this for a long time. If she ignored them then she got a treat. I carried on like that and eventually left a long lead on her, so I could stop her if I needed, and let her go. Now she comes out with me when they are free ranging as my fox watcher. She does sometimes get excited if they flap and attempt to fly but she hasn't touched them since the first time and she quite likes trying to round them up. I think she thinks she's a border collie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 sorry,dont know how to put images up!iam stupid!pointers anyone.on a better note the chooks are doing great and are very calm and well behaved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I would keep you dogs on leads near the chickens initially, at least. There have been a couple of nasty incidents where normally placid dogs have killed Omleteers chickens, out of the blue. There are also many which completely ignore/get on well with them, but it is best to go cautiously at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 sorry,dont know how to put images up!iam stupid!pointers anyone.on a better note the chooks are doing great and are very calm and well behaved Your picture has o be on a public website, such as flickr or photo bucket. then right click on the photo and click on properties then copy and paste the web address of the photo in between the as you have done above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Thanks for the tip on the images Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 They are lovely girls, and she looks very proud of that egg . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 haha, i put that egg in there to give it the right idea of where to do the business, is that a gud idea or not recommended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 It's not a bad idea at all. 1st eggs are often layed in the run because it takes them by suprise, but they should soon start laying them in the correct place. If they don't people use other eggs, or pot eggs in the nest box to give them the idea of where to lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollystar Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I have some Warrens, lovely chickens, good layers & very friendly Unlike my evil cube gang (the hills have eyes bunch) who belong in a horror movie Only joking, long story Warrens are an excellent starter chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Congratulations!!!! "on a short lead and sat with her when I let the girls free range. I did this for a long time. If she ignored them then she got a treat. I carried on like that and eventually left a long lead on her, so I could stop her if I needed, and let her go. Now she comes out with me when they are free ranging as my fox watcher. She does sometimes get excited if they flap and attempt to fly but she hasn't touched them since the first time and she quite likes trying to round them up. I think she thinks she's a border collie :wink:" this was our approach too, and it has really paid off doing it gradually. I would never leave her (ESS) unsupervised with the girls (chickens). Millie is a lover of eating chicken poo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Hi Philip, I have one Goldline who is the same as your Warren, she's a poppet & does follow me around everywhere - but then so does my Amber star and my Bluebell! I'm sure the Orpies would too if only they could escape their confines!!! When I first had the chooks, my 3 labs were confused to say the least - one (blk Jess) was totally neurotic & watched them constantly, one (choc Poppy) was nervous & skirted round the run and one (yellow Daisy) was interested but nervous. One morning I saw Jess with her mouth full of Snowdrop's tail through the run, I bellowed that this was "not acceptable behaviour", Jess let go & went off with her tail between her legs to her bed and S sauntered off as if she hadn't noticed !!! They've all had their noses pecked several times & now give the chooks a fairly wide berth - a fact the chooks take advantage of & walk very deliberately toward the girls to make them run away!! I'm sure they have a sense of humour ! Before we let the chooks out of the run, we started telling Jess (and the others, but J especially), very firmly "NO" anytime she went towards the run, she cottoned on quite quickly. When we started to free-range the chooks, we had Poppy (very laid back) and/or Daisy out without a lead & they all ignored each other, then introduced Jess on a lead until she ignored them. I never thought I would be able to free-range them all together, but one day it just happened, and they are all happy together. Since the Orpies and Batties arrived we have been more watchful, but haven't had any problems - except the dogs steal the chooks food, which has all kinds of revolting repercussions All the dogs have been to visit the Orpies in their run & as they look each other in the eye, they respect each others personal space . At least 2 of the girls have visited the Batties ( when I popped indoors for about 30 seconds!!!), but the birds didn't seem to be too bothered, the nervous one was in the eglu run, but the others were in the pen with the mutt ignoring one another!!!! Sorry this is long and waffly, but I hope it helps, I just wanted to show that dogs & chooks can live in harmony, albeit with a lot of hard work in training & close supervision - mixing my 3 flocks will be more of a challenge I feel ! I'd now trust my dogs with the chooks much more than I'd trust my neighbours' children....... Good luck with your introductions. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 thanks for all the advice guys, much appreciated, will bare it in mind when i am training the pups. i have another question tho!!After only a day in the run, the chooks have dug a hole in the lawn, the rascals!is this due to them being bored as all i have in the run is the feeder and drinker, i heard that they like a mirror to look at, have other people encountered this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 They're probably trying to dust bathe. They like to make holes and then roll around flicking soil over themselves. Mine have made huge holes under the oak tree. You might want to give them a reasonable sized container with a play-sand and soil mixture for them to use rather than ruining your lawn. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 right i see, i have an old cat litter tray i gould use, will put it in later,thanks. Think i may hang some sprouts up and maybe a branch or two to perch on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 You might want to give them a reasonable sized container with a play-sand and soil mixture for them to use rather than ruining your lawn. Have fun. All 3 of my original chooks managed to fit in a cat litter tray - together !! No room for fluffing up with 3 in there, but plenty of room for one or two. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 just put a mirror, a container with sand in it, a log and a stalk of sprouts in the run, hope this keeps them entertained enough to stop ruining the lawn!If this behaviour continues they will be put on a load of woodchippings permanently during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
