Popularfurball Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Though not so much about the girls but the dog!!! The girls have so far been a dream - taken themselves off to bed each night, becoming happier to be caught and definitely enjoying a cuddle already they have had a lot of free roaming time as I have been off last two days - out skyline is very bold and has explored everywhere - found her sat on a shelf in the shed and pecking at the patio doors!!! Blak rock is very timid and reluctant to leave coop though she finally braved it today and the dog chased her... Twice he didn't hurt her and left her when I realised what he was doing. Is there a way to stop this? He is frightened of the skyline which tells him off for getting to close but the black rock flaps off and he likes to chase things. If mrs skyline is out he won't go in the garden on his own!! Secondly, is there a way to stop the dog rolling in chicken poo? It's revolting and he is goig to be washed away before long at this rate?!?! And lastly, mrs skyline has a pooey tum from siting in the box to travel - should I bath her or leave her to it to clean herself? She smells!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 I'd bathe the messy bum and give it a quick blast with the hairdryer. if the chicken is calm to hold you can just stick their rear end under the mixer tap in the kitchen - choose your moment if your OH is likely to go skyward! The dog may be a problem, breed type accounts for a lot. mine is a terrier and there is no way I would let him loose with the chickens, he has chased quite a few escapees and has killed one too but other people have dogs which are fine. Sometimes with a peck on the nose they will stay away from the chooks but personally if a dog gets excited by the flapping I would keep them and the chickens separate The only way to stop the rolling in poo is to keep the dog away from it, poo picking will help but not eliminate the problem if you cant do it often enough. The dog will most likely take up the ultra-lovely past time of eating the poo too and if you are really lucky you will get to see the hens drinking from a puddle of dog wee as if it was the finest champagne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popularfurball Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Yes he has eaten it too!!! Eurgh!!! He won't go near mrs skyline, but the black one is so much more timid. We were all out in the garden when it happened with them all - dog had spent 20mins hiding behind us (after coaxing him out eventually!!) was supposed to be making him happier around them as he had been terrified It's all underneath her but not on her bum - shall give her a wash anyway I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 I have two labs who both ignore the chickens. I also have a miniature schnauzer who gets very excited when the chickens are out,she is only 10months and is about the same size, I think she thinks great things to play with.I let her stay out until she starts chasing them and I put her in house, she is gradually getting better and more used to them.As for poo my lot seem to eat it which is a worry as they are having flubenvet at moment.I try to pick up as much as poss but with 9 it's impossible to get it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 As Redwing says, it depends on the dog. I wouldn't trust mine either, she has killed two of my chooks - one when she chewed a hole through the fence into their pen and took one and more recently when she dashed round the back of my legs as I was coming out of the chicken pen, slipped through the gate and took a bird. She's now not allowed in the garden if we are going in/out of the chicken run. If your dog is a chaser then TBH it's not worth the risk as it's a terrible, terrible feeling when your dog takes a hen. Unfortunately there is nothing dogs like better than a bit of stinky chicken poo! My dog doesn't roll in it, but she does love to eat it She goes out in the garden in the evening after all the chooks have gone to bed and hoovers up all the little hen presents they have left. Gross! No dog kisses in this house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popularfurball Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Well they have had a lazy day today.... They briefly came downstairs when I opened the door at 8am... And promptly went back to bed!! Mrs skyline has just come downstairs but mrs black rock is still upstairs. The pen has been open for them to mooch about outside but they just seem to want to be in the bedroom bit-they are all squatted down and have dug a nest but no eggs! They aren't panicking now though when doors are opened and happy to have a fuss and a cuddle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popularfurball Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Woohoo I was right!!! Mrs black rock has been hard at work today - was worried she was poorly - just been out to put some sudocrem on mrs skylines comb as looks a bit scabby and dehydrated compared to mrs black rock and there was mrs black rock sitting on her first egg!!!!! So proud of her!!!!! Hahaha. Don't think Mrs Skyline will be far behind as she started squatting today when being approached and she has the egg song going already. Mrs black rock doesn't do the same kind of egg song though she coos softly away to herself whereas I think mrs skyline will be a screamer haha. It's small (just been reading up and think first few are small) but it's hard and egg shaped an healthy looking - chuffed to bits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
