[Karen 123]

I have had 3 young chickens in my garden for 3 weeks now. (I'm a 1st time keeper!)Despite our efforts, my two dogs are giving me the impression they would kill the chickens given half a chance. They are a male cocker spaniel and female west highland terrier. I have to be extremely careful and would not allow the dogs loose when chickens are free-ranging. I have read through some other advice and tried to implement. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

I also have another question but will ask that one seperately!

[Kate and her Ducks]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new hens.

Sadly I think you are right about your dogs, it's their instincts and that is hard to overcome. A number of people on here have lost birds to dogs, their own and those of others. It's probable not that far behind the losses to foxes so I think you have to remain vigilant. Someone suggested a muzzle the other day and that might help, although I would imagine that chickens would still be pretty scared being chased by a muzzled dog.

[joyfull]

be patient it could take a very long time to get your dogs used to your chickens but even then never leave the dogs unnattended with your chickens as they are pack animals and their natural instinct is to kill.

[SMD66]

my sister had this prob with a young dog.  She eventually had to pen the hens as the dog was still too young and daft to learn, but, try a jam jar with gravel or similar in it, when the dogs go to chase shake the jar firmly and say, 'NO' . It frightens them and should stop them in their tracks.  Worth a try.

[themagicaltoad1]

I have the same problem and I KNOW mine would kill them. I just have to juggle the time I let the chooks free range against the time I let the dogs into the garden.

[janeheritage]

I have an English and a Welsh springer. We got our chooks 3 months ago.

The Welshie is a meek gentle dog and she is fine with the grown up chooks (see attached pic) although she actually drools when she looks at the 5 week old chicks.

My English springer Molly never forgets that she is suppoed to be a bird dog. She now ignores the big chooks because I have disciplined her twice for having a go, but I don't trust her entirely and wouldn't let her near the babies.

I would say:

(1) allow plenty of time!

(2) let them near the chooks on a lead only to start with so that you can stop them if they start to give chase.

(3) judge by their reactions whether they will ever be able to cohabit.

Don't despair. I thought Molly would always chase them and a month ago she just seemed to get bored!

[Karen 123]

Thank you for all the very prompt replies!! I will try and persevere. I also found some advice on ehow.com and will continue with patience. Baxter the Cocker Spaniel appears to be the worst but I'm going to give it my best shot. I had thought of getting two muzzles but I'm keen to leave this more as a last resort.

Sorry to be so naive but does anyone have advice on perch training??? My 3 sleep in the nesting box among poop every night (which I do clean out each day) So far I managed to get 1 to perch but not for long!! Is patience the key to this too? I have a "chicken shack" coop which is perhaps less than ideal. Again, anyone who has any ideas, I'd be really please to hear them.

Finally, thank you for welcoming me to this site. I'm loving having the chickens so far and like everyone else, I want us all to live in peace and harmony!!! lol!

[danmegal]

I have the same problem and I KNOW mine would kill them. I just have to juggle the time I let the chooks free range against the time I let the dogs into the garden.

Ditto!!

[joyfull]

yes patience and perserveerence (sp?) is the answere to perching, keep placing them on the perch and they will eventually get the hang of it  . Having said that one of mine never has perched  

[janet12000]

Hi and welcome.
I manage my dog and feathered friends in a couple of ways.

Whilst the chooks and ducks are still in their coops doggie goes out for a run and to relieve herself. When dog comes in I let the birds out of their coops.

If the dog needs to go out again she wears a muzzle (the sort of cage variety) but I make sure I go out with her. I started this off by taking her out on her lead and gradually built up to letting her out without it (the lead), but I never leave her alone in the garden when the birds are free ranging.

I understand that folk have conflicting views on muzzles, but Beatrice is an ex racing greyhound ( all be it a rubbish one  )and she has always been used to wearing one so it doesnt bother her.

The ducks frighten the dog so she steers well clear of them

As for the perching. I gave up on mine (ex batts). They sleep all over the place and seem happy so I just let them do what they want. 

[janeheritage]

My girls slept in the nest box to start with. result = dirty eggs.

We fixed it by blocking off the nest box with a piece of cardboard about bed time and removing it in the morning. This worked fine and they learned to perch in short order.

As a metter of interest, I notice that my broody Ethel is teaching her babies how to perch properly (they are 5 weeks old). Yesterday they were all sitting in a row on the narrowest of the hazel-stick perches in their run, preening, mum and 3 babies together. I wished I had had the camera!