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[kitbag]

We have had our lovely chickens for a week now and they are enjoying wandering around the garden during the day. We have also just got my sister's miniature schnauzer to look after for 10 days and he can not quite believe his luck that there are chickens in the garden. He gets rather barky and trembles with excitement - and at every opportunity he lurches towards them (although safely attached to his lead!) This causes much consternation amongst the girls who run away clucking crossly.

 

The info pack suggests that the chickens should 'peck him on the nose' but our chickens just seem too 'chicken' to do that. We would really like to have a chilled out dog/chicken situation however it is all a bit stressful!!

 

Any suggestions as to how to improve things - do i let the chickens and dog just 'go for it' gladitorial style? I am worried in doing this that the chickens will just get to frightened and drop dead in front of the children - or is it simply the case that we have a stressful week ahead and we will just have to get on with it??

 

Many thanks chicken lovers!!

 

Kitty

[chelsea]

We've had the mother in laws terrier for 2 weeks whilst they have been in portugal sunning themselves

 

We have decided not to mix dog and chooks, because she is very snappy and annoying, Ella (big chicken) has pecked her on the head a couple of times. But due to the high stress levels for me.....and my chooks (I dont want them running about stressed) that I have either had the chickens free range with the dog indoors....then I swap for a while and put the girls in and let the dog out.

 

Thank goodness only 2 more sleeps till the horrid little thing goes.

 

My own huge german shepherd is a complete angel with my chickens, bless her.

[kitbag]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I think the chickens out/dog in and dog out/chickens in is our way forward. It is what we have been doing this afternoon.

 

My husband would love to use the problem as an excuse to get Victoria Stillwell (the dog training lady off the telly) to pop over in her red sports car and thigh length boots, but I think that i would then have to put HIM on a lead.

 

Sorry about your dog situation....glad only 2 sleeps to go for you.

 

Our chickens are called Gloria, Hilda and Mrs Marigold McClucker. No eggs yet but I am looking forward to becoming the Souffle and quiche queen of Reading when they start laying!

 

Toodleoo

 

Kitty

[Snowy]

They probably would get used to each other Kitty, but it does take time. We took it in turns at first - dog out chickens in then vice versa. Or dog out but only on a lead. Now they mix very well. The chickens were nervous of the dog at first and he did want to jump at them if they flapped (he's a terrier so it's instinct I suppose), but now they just bicker about who gets to eat the s"Ooops, word censored!"s. And the chickens usually win! He got a bit too close to Pom's treats the other day and she went for him with hackles up and talons out! Poor dog did get his nose pecked that day!

[Jill]

Be very careful. My indian rescue dog is obviously partly feral. She is amazing with people but a bit difficult with some other dogs and she did kill one of my chickens which had got out of the run when she was in the garden without my noticing She knew she had done wrong but just could not stop herself. My black labrador is fine and they walk underneath her and she just stands and watches them. Most dogs are domesticated and fine but until you are sure don't leave them alone. I felt so guilty.

[chickenlass]

what a coinsidence I have a Mini Schnauzer and am collecting my chickens tomorrow.. [YIPPPEEEEEEE]...will not be letting Dottie anywhere near them as I already know she chases birds!

[Helly Welly]

I would imagine your girls are more timid because they are new as well.

 

One of my girls, Polly, stayed timid until she eventually laid, now she's scared of nothing.

[The Dogmother]

I'd just love a schnauzer

 

It's best to play safe - my old lurcher would've gone for them - it was in her breeding. Most dogs will be fine, but don't take the risk - there have been a couple of incidents where forum members' dogs (which have previously been fine with the hens) have gone for one

[Sarah71]

I can't let the girls out with the dogs they just don't get on. The dogs just chase them. Had my terrier on a lead and Bela pecked his nose but it didn't put him off. Is dogs in chooks out/chooks in dogs out for me

[Snowy]

It does depend on the dog doesn't it. We have been very fortunate with Dennis, he thinks he is one of the flock now (poor deluded dog!) He also chases birds, but the chickens don't count as birds now obviously. It does help that he is a bit more mature now - can't imagine him being like this when we first got him!

[kitbag]

thank you chicken lovers for your doggy replies. We have gone for dog in/chickens out solution and dog seems to be coming de-sensitised to the chooks. maybe just maybe one day they will live in perfect harmony!!

[Guest]

Our girls arrived Wednesday, and our Staffie Terrier, Sophie, had an initial good old bark at them from the dining room and was told in no uncertain terms this was unacceptable. Thursday we let her out under close supervision, with Amber and Ginger safe in their run. Sophie has had a good look, a good sniff around everything, and is very laid back about them now. Today we had chooks and dog all loose, under very, very close supervision, and though the dog did look like she was trying to think of how she might get away with it, she never barked or touched them. Chooks also very un-concerned, and seem as interested and curious about the dog as she is about them.

[Olly]

slight change of topic - my cat seemed terrified of the chickens when they first arrived, but got used to them very quickly, and was happy to lie in front of their run and didn't flinch when I let them out. It was almost as if they were invisible to each other.

 

Until last week ... when I caught him peering round the side of the garage, rear end wiggling and whiskers bristling while the girls were free-ranging. Despite speaking to him sharply, a moment later I saw a tabby shape zip across the lawn, and a gingernut ascending vertically about two feet in the air. He didn't get near her, and was most put out by the flapping and squawking that followed (from me, not the hen!)

 

What I think I'm trying to say is - sometimes temptation is just too much, and instinct overcomes manners.

[Snowy]

Very true about instinct Olly. If my girls catch Dennis by surprise he does forget and will jump at them (tail wagging and in a more playful way than aggressive I have to say). But when he did it the other day to Bella, Pom flew at him and pecked his nose!