Single hen

[Guest]

Hi, i'm Andy. We bought an 'Eglu' last December. What a fantastic design! So practical. Aside from the 'Eglu' we also have a wooden hen-house. Today i was reminded just how quick and efficient 'Eglus' are though, when i was scrubbing both said abodes with Jeyes fluid. The former just took minutes.

 

Aside from our six hens: Daisy (Black Rock), Maggie (Magpie), Hermione (Red-co), Maureen (Calder Ranger), Blanche (White Star) and Edna (White Star) we also have three retired greyhounds: Jet, Sonny and Kristin.

 

Greyhounds (and Lurchers) seem to have this ill-founded reputation for being vicious killers? Not so. Trust me. They are very intelligent dogs. Yes, due to their breeding (spanning well over a thousand years) they are sight hounds and therefore are hunting dogs. They can see quarry up to half a mile away. However, initially they were very keen to 'get at' the hens. But with the aid of a high powered water gun and a firm 'No!!' They have soon learnt that Hens are not on the list of acceptable prey. By the way, greyhounds make excellent 'ratters' and at a full speed of 45mph you couldn't find a quicker or more efficient vermin control

 

I can now open the gate to the pen and allow the hens total free range to our 3/4 acre garden. The dogs don't bother them whatsoever. Today i was painting in the hall and heard a clucking in the living room. On investigation, Maureen, bold as brass was having a good nose around the living room Just like her name sake The greyhounds just laid on their beds, and as said not interested whatsoever.

 

 

Just to prove, these dogs are not daft

[Redwing]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forum

 

Thats useful info, my OH wants a retired greyhound but I don't believe we have the room in our tiny house!

 

Our terrier goes mad at the chickens sometimes so he isnt allowed to mix with them maybe we will get a water jet (I am sure my OH would love one of those super soakers!)

[wiblick]

Greyhounds! Love them.

 

They desperately need rescuing and are the 45MPH couch potatoes. They love to sleep, they're a bit like cats, a couple of bursts of energy during the day and then glorious sleep. Sometimes it can be a job to get them to go for a walk in bad weather!

 

I was unable to keep my dogs because OH turned out not to be too fond of them, but if you can rescue a greyhound they make wonderful pets.

 

As Andy says it's perfectly possible to train them to ignore your other small pets. And many rescues will list dogs that have already been trained or simply show no interest, they will be listed as "cat safe".

 

 

Tara in her PJs (for when we were camping, altough she never got to use them)

[chickweed]

I loved my old lurcher Sue. She came from a rescue centre at about the age of 4 months and died at the great age of 17 years. She was the sweetest dog imaginable and so gentle with children.

 

She disliked other dogs and could be very agressive towards them. However, she did tolerate our other dog who was the dominant one.

 

If we were not away from home so frequently, I would definitely take on another rescued greyhound or lurcher. I never liked putting my dogs into kennels and I am sure they didn't enjoy it much either.

My neighbours look forward to chicken sitting though, so no problem there

[chelsea]

thanks for sharing your experience, its great your dogs get on with your hens.

 

I love greyhounds, lurchers and whippets, such beautiful looking dogs and very underestimated in my opinion!

[Guest]

Hi all! Wow! what a lovely warm welcome. Thankyou.

 

Redwing - i too only have a small cottage, and when we got our first greyhound, Ruthie, we almost never took her home, because she seemed so big at the time! However, glad we did. One of the best dogs i have ever owned. We only had her just over a year then she developed that mysterious virus that causes Parvo like symptoms. Broke our hearts. Not a day go by when we don't think of her. However, as Wiblick quite rightly say, they are 45MPH couch potatoes and when curled up on their beds, they don't take up much space at all Imagine... we initially thought Ruthie was too big for the house..... and now we have three!!.... and there is still space for more

 

Wiblick, that Tara is an absolute beauty! I do love the black greyhounds. For some strange reason they are not popular at the re-homing kennels? Can't understand it myself, because after the kennel coat is shed, they become a beautiful glossy black, as i'm sure you too realise, and judging by Tara's coat.

 

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/AndyIps/?action=view&current=122-2201_IMG.jpg

 

Here are our three, above. From left to right number 1 (Kristin), 4 (Sonny) and 5 (Jet). The other two are our friends' greyhounds Sally and Treacle.

 

Chickweed, i'm the same as you. I always think that they have spent most of their lives in kennels so therefore loathe to put them back in one for the sake of holidays etc. Luckily we have friends who come and stay and look after them.

 

And thankyou Chelsea for you lovely message. I agree, very underestimated dogs.

[Guest]

I have a question for Wiblick, or anyone else who can inform me? My Whitestar hen Blanche has a magnificient comb on top of her head, courtesy of her Leghorn ancestory. Edna, the other Whitestar (and much younger), has a mere smidgin of a comb though? When i bought her i was told she would probably grow a full comb (Like Banche's) but i'm beginning to be not convinced. Her comb is getting redder, signalling she will start laying soon, but the comb remains short. Not that i'm bothered because i love her, but just interested to know?

 

Also Maggie our magpie is a huge POL. But she doesn't have a comb as yet. She looks like an Amercian bald eagle She is a feisty little madam

[Redwing]

I think there are different types of comb so maybe the other two have inherited a stronger gene from one parent that means their combs are smaller? I have two hybrid bog standard brown hens who have very different combs.

 

Lovely greyhounds! I let my OH take a peek. BIG mistake.

[Gamebird]

Welcome to the forum, Damien.

 

What a lovely trio of dogs you have and so pleased to hear that they live in harmony with your chickens.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . I loved that clip - had me laughing out loud .

[Guest]

Glad you enjoyed the clip That one always makes me laugh too

 

Here is my favourite though. You will need to forward the button for quite a bit, unless you're interested in Mazdas

 

It is a greyhound versus a Mazda on a greyhound track. They are such amazing athletes. In three strides they are running at 30MPH and in six strides they are doing 45MPH. Awesome to watch. As said, very fast rat catchers And Mr Fox would no doubt make a sharp exit from the garden too

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0nB5RDrFg#

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Wow . What a mover . (I did fast forward - I much prefer dogs to cars .)

[Chickvic]

That's really impressive!

[Guest]

I take a look at my Sonny, ChickVic, and i ask myself,....., how were you ever a veteran of 180 races??!! That boy is so daft, and soft!! What do grieve me though is apparently he ran lame in his last few races! So cruel, and all for money. Mind you, he is enjoying his retirement. His sister was the one that died, and as said, she was a beautiful dog too.

 

They are such great dogs. My OH pestered me for hens for ages. I was hesitant, because i know that greys are hunting hounds. However, i need not have worried. I've now got the best of both worlds....... greyhounds and hens

[Chickvic]

I do think they are gorgeous looking dogs, don't have the time for a dog though My cats are far more independent!

[Guest]

I love cats, too. Any pics?

[Guest]

When i was about five i rescued a fabulous grey kitten who was lame and they were going to drown her!!!! Evil! I called her 'Smokie' fabulous little cat. She lived to a great old age.

 

I love cats. My OH had a cat called 'Gabby' and is always pestering me for another cat! Greyhounds, hens, cats...... what next??!

 

I would love a Siamese though, if i'm honest. But also i love the Bengals. My cousin has a Bengal hybrid and two friends of ours have pure-breed Bengals. Fabulous cats. Can be a bit feisty, but if they keep the rats away, i'm not complaining

[Chickvic]

I've got a black cat called Kirby, a ginger called Samus and a silver tabby called Link, all neutered toms. I can't seem to find any recent pics I'll take some and post them up.

[Chickvic]

Well here they are!

 

Kirby

 

Samus

 

Link

 

All just moggies - no pedigrees here

[Guest]

They're absolutely gorgeous, ChickVic. What a handsome trio. The black one looks like my friend's cat 'Salem' and the ginger one looks like my other friend's late cat, 'Garfield'.

Not good posting such pics, though, because my resolve is weakened when it comes to the OH's demands

[Guest]

I have another question.

 

How often do you worm you hens?...... if at all? And if so, what product do you use?

Being from an aromatherapist/reflexologist/herbalist background i bought 'Four Seasons Anti-parasitic 12x' containing natural products. I like natural products and often use aromatherapy or homeopathy on the greyhounds. I also bought a product (won't mention the name) that claims to 'Maintain good condition and appetite in poultry' However, it also happens to have a dreadful pink stain, which stains your hands, work-tops or anything else it comes into contact with!! However, i've also been reading about 'Life-Guard' and 'Keep-well.' Any recommendations? I've also often just used cider vinegar though, knowing the health benefits of it. Again, any comments, recommendations welcome.

[Christian]

Hello Damien and welcome to the forum.

 

Will move this to the chicken section now.

[Chickvic]

I use flubenvet every 3-4 months I think verm-x is more natural but I don't use that and other people don't rate it well either. I worm them (even though I have never seen any worms in their poo) because my garden is not large and they can pick worms up from the ground or the wild birds. I put a tonic in their water as well - just for a boost but I can't remember the name right now

[Chickvic]

That was seriously strange Christian I was moved in the middle of my reply

[McChook]

Hi Andy/Damien - welcome!

 

I have 2 retired greyhounds and 3 chickens and they use the garden on a rota system - never the twain shall meet!

 

I've tried introducing the dogs to the chickens - muzzled, leashed and very closely supervised, and have had no success . When the dogs walk past the run, they pay the chickens no attention, but when they're out, it's open season! I'll give your water pistol idea a go (it's always loaded and by the back door for those impromptu water fights ) - thanks for the tip!