4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[binky28]

I have just picked up my new girls and have got them in an enclosed run . We have 2 golden retrievers who have never seen chickens before and are keen to keep running around them. Any ideas on how to proceed with getting them all used to each other ? will it stress the chickens having them run around the run ? thanks x

[Woodcat]

hey

 

 

Take it very slowly have the dogs on leads and somthing like a water pistol handy.

 

Once they settle down it probably won't stress them too much but while they are settling in i wouldn't encouage the dogs round them. I would also give it a while before you start the intros so the chickens feel more secure.

 

If you want to introduce them while the chooks are free ranging then i'd let them out without the dogs around a couple of times before you start so you can keep an eye on the chooks and see if you have any excape artists without having to worry about holding onto the dogs or having the dogs spook them into somthing before they are totally comfatable.

 

good luck

Beth

[alij]

Hi

 

I've just had to go through this myself, should say still going through it!!! I have 5 dogs, 2 of which will chase and catch rabbits on their walk. We got our girls last Saturday and kept them in their run for the week, letting the dogs come close whilst I was hand feeding them etc, then progressing to lifting a chuck out and letting the dogs sniff her.

 

Yesterday I let the 2 biggest girls out into the garden with all the dogs. They are 14 wk old Orpingtons and completely bombproof and very placid so don't run of when the dogs come close. I did go to the butchers and get the dogs some meaty raw bones to have whilst the girls were out and it went fabulously

 

They were out again today and again it went well. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised for quite a while yet but so far so good.

 

None of my dogs have ever seen chickens before, but seem to realise they are part of the family and not dinner!!!

 

 

 

[karlotta]

I think it's good advice to keep the dogs on the lead to start with even with the chooks in the run as running at the run could really spook them, and flapping and/or squawking will only get the dogs more excited - tasty treats and lots of praise when they are good is the way to go!

 

Love your newf alij! He/she looks gorgeous! Tell me all about him/her!

[alij]

Hi Karlotta

 

He is lovely isn't he. He's 4 and called 'Little Mouse'!! Try shouting that out in a public place and watching people's faces when a 13 stone Newfie comes ambling up!

 

I have 2 Newfies, Mouse and Alf (who's 5) and they have been brill around the chucks, even putting up with being pecked once or twice.

 

I also have Ske Baby and Trev, 2 std poodles and Wiggy Woo a chinese crested cross. They all met the new girls out in the garden yesterday for the first time and have been brilliant

 

 

 

 

I tried keeping the dogs on leads to meet the girls but it made them very excited. I found the intros went much better if I just acted like everything was normal. Obviously keeping an incredibly close eye on things.

[karlotta]

Gorgeous! Nice to find a fellow Newfie owner here!

 

Sorry for the thread hi-jack!!