[janeheritage]

Hi, I am a wannabe chicken keeper and am thinking about my first chooks. We have a space in the garden about 3m x 4m for their run and house (could be a bit bigger), and I have any number of questions!

? Would this area be big enough for 4 chooks as their main residence? (They'll only get to roam around the garden when we can supervise them).

? I am thinking of getting 2 modern hybrids (for eggs) and 2 groovy rare breed chooks (for love) - maybe Leghorns, Welsummers, Hamburgs or similar. I live near Guildford. Can anyone recommend a local supplier of hybrid chooks? And how about a decent specialist poultry supplier? Any favourite rare breeds?

? My husband is handy. Any thoughts on home built vs purchased chicken accommodation?

? Best chicken book for beginners?

?What will my Springer Spaniels (1 English, 1 Welsh) think of them? How can I train them to leave chooks ALONE?

Please tell me if I should rephrase this as 1 question in 5 separate posts!

Thanks all you chickeneers out there (ChickChick, are you there?)

[richyrich7]

Yes Ithink 4 chhoks would be happy in that,

Definitely build your own, there's loads of plans about and works out cheaper, or you could convert a shed.

I don't have dogs but I'd not leave one with the chooks there's always a chance they may try a nip.

[ness]

Hi
I can only answer 1 question - I'm sure you can teach your dogs to leave the chooks alone.  They will probably be very interested for a while but perserverance pays off.  My Jack Russel terrorist lives in harmony with my two chooks, two rabbits and cat. But be vigilant until your sure they are really not interested.
Hope this helps
Ness

[WoodyK]

Hello Jane

I can only reply based on my limited experience of about a month!

I built my own hen house and run and found it far more rewarding than jusy buying one. I had no previous wood working experience but asked some questions on this very useful forum and looked at loads of pictures.

I have a dog and 3 cats and not had a problem. they all like to come and have a look and that is all but i made sure that the dog (german shepherd) wasn't loose with the chooks for the first week or two.

I guess all dogs are different as my boy gets on fine with the cats but his twin litter brother that comes to stay for time to time loves to chase the cats! Not tried him with the chooks yet  :roll:

[GrannieAnnie]

Also, Katie Thear's book Starting with Chickens is quite good.......... but you don't need BOOKS!!!!    

You've got US!!!!!!!  and the poultry info pages!!!!!    

[dawne]

Hi Jane

Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens, you will be completely hooked from now on.

I have 4 dogs and they are fenced off from our birds, I tried this training thing!! nothing doing end result....4 dead birds. It does not take much to kill the  chicken even a fright will do it. That said however, I have dogs that are difficult to train (stupid)! but adorable

Also we converted an old shed for our birds and they are fine in there, we have a mix of 19 Rohode Island Red X Warrens, 1 Plymouth Rock bantam & 2 Silver Dorking. Bantams in my experience are probably the easiet, freindliest, most obliging birds and I intend to hatch a few more of these, plus they are ideal for the average garden.

Books are handy to have but they guys are right, you have all the knowledge you need on here and they are very supportive when things are not going so well

Dawn

[Piglit's Pullets]

Howdy!  Fantastic.... a fresh egg to add to the nest!!!

We have a JRT and though she does like to chase our hen pecked girl Gwen.... cause she runs fast and makes funny noises..... she never hurts her or does more than run all over the garden acting a fool to get our attention away from the chickens.  I think that a few firm 'donks' on the head from Gertie ( The big boss lady) made our four legged monkey think twice about doing much more.  That and the fact that they are just as big as her       What till the monster Wyandotte arrives  :shock:

All joking aside... doggie knows that she is NOT allowed inside the run and someone is always around to watch her.

Have fun.  I love my chickens.... especially now that Gwen will let me touch her.  One small piece of melon in exchange for a 3 second stroke... I always knew she loved me really.    

[Foxy]

Hi there!
Cant answer your question re:dogs and chooks, but I think there are a few chookkeepers here with dogs I dont recall any probs with them.
Hybrids are fine -they lay like made as designed too but after their first laying season will slow right down -this is the time that commercial laying units tend to get rid of them. Pure breeds lay for longer but dont lay as many eggies and have a tendency to go broody on you in the summer months.  :? There are some gorgeous breeds around, from funky polands with their mad hairdos, to fluffy footed gentle chickens like pekins which come in loads of lovely colours.
Everyone has favourites here mind! I love my gentle faverolles and cochins.  

[poultrygeist]

Hello janeheritage.

Can only repeat what everyone else says.

Except there are a couple of members in the guildford area who may be able to help with suppliers.  

Come back often.

Rob

[Vember]

Hi Jane

I have 5 dogs, 2 JR's who I just don't even tempt fate with and 3 Collies

The Collies run about with the birds mainly eating their corn & poops  :roll:

All depends on the dogs Spaniels are working dogs so you may have a problem,

You know your dogs better than anyone when they're out would they chase a rabbit?
If yes then best keep them away from your birds


Sarah

[Belinda]

I have trained my dogs to ignore the chickens in their run but I would never trust them to be in the garden free with them. Its up to you you know your dog better than any one else but if they show an interest in them in the run I would be very careful.