Tinkerbell Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Help We have had a couple of chickens for a year and a half. We already had three cats and despite our fears of the cats ganging up on the chooks, the girls established themselves as the dominant species very quickly. Two weeks ago we got a new puppy, a laid back goldendoodle. The girls have taken exception to the new addition to the family and have now taken to not only chasing the puppy as soon as they see but now they are chasing the cats out of the garden. The chooks have free ranged since we got them and are now intolerant of anything that invades their territory, becoming agressive towards all the pets. Does anyone have and suggestions as to how we can resolve this issue apart from keeping the chooks confined into their pen which I dont really want to do We are having to pen the new puppy in our patio area away from the chicks as I am afraid of them attacking him. I took the puppy to see the chooks when they were in their run and Dudley the puppy sniffed the cage and fifi attacked him and pecked him on the nose through the bars, poor puppy yelpped would appreciate any advice thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Can you put some Omlet or other netting up to contain them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinkerbell Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 I could do but I would prefer that they could all live happy together, at the last resort this is what I will have to do. I have searched the internet and I couldnt find anyone else who has had problems with dominant territorial chickens, is this unusual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I've not really heard of it before . I wonder if you temporarily contained them so they could get used to the sight/smell of your puppy without being able to get at him they might lose interest. By then he will be bigger and they might not be so keen to have a go . You can use cheap netting and canes to keep the costs down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinkerbell Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 I will try and pursuade hubby to put up a temporay fencing for now We are moving in 6 weeks and I will definately give the chooks their own piece of enclosed garden thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 You could try a water pistol to stop the hens in their tracks as they approach the dog Personally I would confine the bird, not to their pen but to a larger netted area for now so that every one can settle down then try the living in harmony thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 hey My chooks also free range all the time and we had much the same problem to begin with we have two cocker spaniels and 3 cats and they use to chase them all the time. With us we found that it just settled down eventually. The dogs got attacked a few times enough to make sure they were scared stiff but they settled down once they decided that they weren't invaders. Do you have one chook who is leading the attacks? and are they happening every time the dog goes into the garden or only when he gets close? A water pistol would probably work quite well if it's one leading the flock into attack mode. If you can socialise them through neting as much as possible it will probably settle down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinkerbell Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 Hi Yes it is one chook that is leading the attack and yes it is only happening when the dog goes into the garden Iwill arm myself with a water pistol when I next take the the dog into the garden. Yesterday I locked the chooks up early about 5 and let the dog have the run of the garden and I think i am just going to have to keep seperating them until they get use to each other I must admit I am shocked that a chicken can take control over the cats and dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
