marshhens Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 right, eggs a plenty, daxies now firm admirers of chooks, but . . . . they keep going into the eglu and sleeping in the nesting box, to the exclusion of hens . . . honestly - 2 weeks ago I couldn't ever see how dogs could be left out with hens, and now!!!! Anyway - does anyone have any thoughts on how to keep the run open, but dogs out? Thanks as ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Get bigger dogs! Seriously I don't let mine anywhere near the chooks but I've got 6 dogs and they really act like a pack so I wou;dn't fancy my chooks chances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Try using a water gun or hose on the dogs - sounds cruel - but it works. Our dogs can be out with the chooks when they are free ranging - but only if we are with them - they can act as a pack - but when they get too close to the chooks, or their food (thank you Charlie ) then a quick spray will put them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Our dog is absolutely brillant with the chickens She's a big german shepherd (with big fangs) and hates cats. We introduced her to our girls when they were 8 weeks old. I can now leave her in the garden un-attended whilst my chooks freerange and I dont have to worry. Even the chicken thinks she's a dog as she comes in the kitchen, sits on the mat and drinks out the dog bowl, she will even sit next to the dog and beg for food!! I would just let your dogs get used to having the chickens in the run lots before you decide to let them out, lots of controlled introductions and sniffs (ie- showing the chooks close up to the dogs whilst holding dog on leads) so that the chickens know the dog is no threat and vice versa. If you find there is no way you can have your chooks free ranging and the dog out, probably the only solution is to fence of a piece of garden for you chooks to have seperate to the dogs, so they can both enjoy your garden seperately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Personally, I wouldn't leave any dog alone with a chook - it only takes the chooks to flap in surprise at something and doggie instincts will kick in and the chook will be in it's mouth before you know it. But then I did have a lurcher (but that was before I had chooks)..... It's not the dog's fault - it is only doing what comes naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 We have fenced off the garden, the fence cost me £800 and one of the dogs can jump the fence. Also with a 3 year old in the house I don't trust her not to accidentally let one of the dogs into the other part of the garden. I have done a few sessions of taking individual dogs to the run on a lead but TBH I think the pack instinct is so strong when they're all together. It's for that reason I only ever walk a max of 4 at once if I'm with DP or 2 if I'm by myself with DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
