mouse Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Hi, my 1st post on hear Iv never had chickens before and Ill be hopefully gettting a few Pekin Bantams soon, I just wanted some advise on the breed, pros/cons ect. Also I have a very typical terrier, Milo, who loves to chase anything that moves! Does anyone have advise to getting him use to chicks? Or would it be better to get older hens to start with? Anna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Hello Mouse, welcome to the forum I have a litle JRxSpaniel who is just fine with my chickens (who are small Silkies and Frizzles). The day after the arrival of the first three I got (as POL chooks), I walked him past and round them on the lead and if he made any move whatever towards them he was given a prompt reprimand (voice is enough for him but you could use a small squirt of water) but if he trotted past nicely he was praised. Now he happily even goes into their house to finish up on any goodies they have left around. In fact, if anything he is a little scared of them and won't go past them if they are in a group. I was lucky in that they came from a house where their owner had also had a couple of terriers so my chooks were, in turn, used to dogs and did not squawk and flap about which I think any dog would find tempting. One thing though, my terrier loves to eat chicken poo and I've never managed to stop this From other posts on here I gather this is quite common. It has not done him any harm at all but he does make nasty smells in the evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Hi, and welcome. I would reiterate what Cheaky Chook said. I have three dogs, five silkies amd a cat and they all intermingle with no problems. The dogs were interested for the first couple of weeks whilst the girls settled in their run, then I let the chicks get used free ranging and introduced the dogs one at a time on leads with a sharp no if they showed too much interest. I thought it so sweet at first that the cocker followed the chicks around and laid next to them until I discovered it was just their poo she wanted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouse Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Thanks for the advide and the heads up on the poop eating! Hes not one for rolling in fox/horse/other smelly stuff but then again hes normally chasing whats just pooped it Ill be getting chicks so hopefully he and the chooks will grow up together and play nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Million dollar question(s) . . . What will you be getting . . .and how many I'm sure your dog will get along just fine with his new feathered friends when he realises the delights of chicken poop, so full of protein . . . unlike horse poop (wich my dogs also eat the stinkers ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzannejoy Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 welcome to the forum and chicken keeping . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I've got 3 dogs and initially they all found the chooks incredibliy enticing. Now however they're a bit scared of the big girls and tend to avoid having to go out in the garden if they're out. A few flaps in the face and back landings with claws sorted them out. The littlies are slightly different though and a more carefull watch is needed as the whippet has been found with a couple of tail feathers in her mouth. Just don't leave them all out together without being there to supervise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
