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[sallys]

Hello all ,

I have just started keeping chickens and 5 days ago settled 3 lovely hybrids in an eglu and run where they seem happy. They are nearly at point of lay and we have had one egg so far. We have a jack russell that we have introduced slowly on a lead ,then tied nearby the run and than yesterday free to walk/sit around the run. The chickens still seem petrified,they were kept in a shed before I got them. They run straight into the eglu and don't come out until I have removed the dog. The dog is very excited and barks if she sees then even starting to come out. I know that I will never be able to let them free range together and plan a fence/gates but will the chickens ever get used to being stalked up and down the run?? One of the chickens has runny slightly yellow poo .Is this fear or the hot weather?. many thanks in advance....

[bennett]

HI, we have had chickens for a couple of years and just got A jack russell, he to likes to run around the run winding the chickens up, wheras my spaniel doesnt bother with them. It does drive me nuts, however the chickens should get used to the dog, and the dog will get used to them. I sit outside with mine and tell the dog off every time he gets to close. My spaniel will happily free range with my chooks but i dont think i will ever be able to let that happen with a JR. I think it is in thier nature to want to play with chooks!

As for runny poo, they do have a runny poo at times, mine seem to have 1 a day, and the rest are fine. If it is foamy then they prob need worming. However there is a webiste with different pics of poo's, (google chicken poo's) Anyone know what it is?????

[Lavenders_Blue]

My parents have a JRT X who comes to stay with us from time to time. He would dearly love to eat our chickens! However, he knows he is not allowed to get into their pen and tends to ignore them unless they get a bit too close. The hens were terrified of him at first, but more recently they have been spotted charging the fence at him, hackles raised! So they will get braver.

[Space Chick]

I have a Jack Russell cross, he was very barky at first but I gradually de-sensitised him to the girls. However, I wouldn't let him off the lead when the girls are free ranging even after the time I have had them. My original 4 girls were afraid of him at first, however, I am now up to 15 girls (with some losses along the way), and none of them are scared of him now In fact they like to creep up on him whilst he cocks his leg up to scare him

 

As for the poo, they have a runny "curry" poo approx every 10 poos, its perfectly normal and nothing to worry about Although I would recommend worming every 3 months with Flubenvet

[sallys]

Thankyou everyone very helpful and reassuring advice! hopefully things will have settled in a few days! Had another egg today of a different colour and with two yolks so the girls can't be as bothered as I am!

[paddy1709]

I have a year old Jack Russell who is constantly in with our two chickens with no problems as they free range. However we got the chickens first and the JR was only eight weeks old when we introduced them.

[Jools]

My terriers never free range with my chickens, mainly because they'd eat them given half a chance. However, they've learned to be calm with a fence between them and only get aggitated when the chickens make a fuss about something.

[Margalot]

Hi,

 

Our Parson Russell terrier was here first and she was around 3 when we got the chickens. her favourite game was always to chase the pigeons and magpies out of the garden, but when we got our chooks i really wanted to let them f range, so we trained Meg the terrier to leave them alone. She is still insistent on following them everywhere but never goes into prey mode, and she is left alone with them in the garden. I feel I am able to trust her now and since getting the Brahmas she is more scared as they actually peck her ears or nose if she tries to eat their treats.

 

We trained her using the pressurised air can method which makes a really loud hiss, she hated it so now associates the noise with the chickens.

 

all dogs are different though but Meg still chases pigeons and squirrels and leaves the hens alone!

[Jools]

She is beautiful - fancy a swap? Two for one??

[Margalot]

She is beautiful - fancy a swap? Two for one?? :lol:

 

Dont know ? she does have her bad habits too! like chasing anyone off of the driveway, yapping at the paper boy, jumping up at animals on the telly, smelly breath, selective hearing, being snappy at small white fluffy dogs, snavelling rubbish from bins, running off with the dirty laundry, barking at the doorbell .......I could go on

[Jools]

Nothing wrong with all of that, she is a terrier after all. And at least she doesn't try to murder your chickens!

 

My reprobates .....

 

[Margalot]

Oh they are gorgeous! what are they called?

[jam]

I have a patterdale terrier x and she goes mad at the chickens, mainly squishy the cockerel because he always tries to fight back. But stranglely enough when they all free range bella leaves them alone which is quite handy

[Jools]

Mine are Jack and Alf (when they're not mis-behaving!)

 

I've love to see photo of your Patterdale X please Jam :)

[jam]

Wish granted

 

[gladdycat]

I sadly lost my father 3 months ago to cancer. He owned a Jack Russel X called Jock who was a lovely little dog though in every way a 'typical' terrier.

 

When my Dad had his terminal diagnosis I promised him faithfully that I would find a good home for Jock. I knew it would be pretty impossible for us to take him as we own 2 rather nervous cats and 5 (at that time!) chickens who love to free range around the garden. If my dad had owned another breed such as a labrador or spaniel, then I would have given it a try, but Jock was EXTREMELY lively and would have never given the chickens, and cats a moments peace.

 

We found him a home with a lovely lady who had lost her last dog (at the age of 16) at the end of last year. She was over the moon with him, and he gets lots of walks on the beach near where she lives . I still feel very guilty for having to give him up as he was a part of my dad, but I have to keep telling myself that it is for the best for all of us....Jock included.

[Jools]

That's a lovely story. I've just lost my dad to cancer so it touched my heart. My two are very possessive about their house, their garden and their so-called pack leaders. They're quite anxious whenever anyone comes to visit, but when ever my dad came to stay, they seemed to understand that he was ill and needed looking after. He loved dogs and they loved him back. Terriers really are the best.

 

Jam, thanks for posting that photo - what a cracker