[mantha]

Hi everyone,

I am very new to this, getting 3 girls tomorrow.....so excited!!  I have been reading the posts on here for ages and there is great advice and support.

I think I am all ready but the only think concerning me is introducing the hens to my cat and dog.  The cat is a moggie who is scared of everything so I don't think she will be a problem (the most she has ever caught was a frog and it screamed and she ran away!).

 My dog Poppet is an irish setter who is very soppy and has met some neighbours chickens through a fence and didn't seem overly bothered...... but does anyone have any suggestions on best way for introductions please?

thanks 

[orchardlady]

As he is an Irish Setter as you say he will probably be perfect. How about a nice short lead and a gentle introduction with wire between. Plenty of 'sit/stay, good boy and treats for the dog'. If possible let your new ladies settle in their new home for a few days first before formal introductions commence.

[Kathie]

Hi Mantha,
When we got our first lot of exbatts we had them penned in a large run so dogs and chooks could see each other but the chooks were safe.  After about 6 weeks we let the ladies freerange for a few hours each day under supervision.
All our fear of dogs hurting chickens were unfounded as the chooks were more "vicious" than the dogs would ever be!
We have 2 staffies and a tiny JR and they have to nimbly side step some of our younger girls even now, so I think with an obedient breed you will be fine.
Enjoy

[8doubles]

Have the dog there when you have a hen on your lap so she can have a good close up sniff without chasing it about and get the idea that the hens are important to you.
I think more than a few times a soppy dog has caused mayhem by `playing' with the hens who are damaged in the game.
Some animals play rougher than others, we know what happens when tame (?) lions and tigers give their owners a playful nip. 

[Biguba]

Hi and welcome - I wouldn't assume anything about your dogs character. Dogs and chickens aren't good bedmates. Be very careful. There are plenty of threads on here about pet dogs killing chickens. It'd something that happened to me and I wouldn't anybody else (or anybody else's hens) to go through that trauma.

[evie2]

Hello Mantha and welcome.  You wont be letting the chooks free range to begin with so the dog, cat and chooks will have the chance to look each other over, however I'd still be careful when they finally do free range.  As for the cat, if their big chooks they can usually see it off but again being careful is best.

Our cats don't bother with our big girls or adult rabbits but I wouldn't trust them with the poots, bantams or baby bunnies, in fact when the poots or baby bunnies are in Freya gets very interested  

[viper]

hi i have 2 staffies and 3 cats the chickens are the boss in my garden lol but they will lay in the sun together just give them time and keep a eye on them

[bantam novice]

Good luck, Mantha, and a very warm welcome to the forum and the wacky world of henaholics! 

[mantha]

HI Everyone

Thanks very much for the advice.  I got the girls home last night, tucked them in and this morning have 2 eggs!!! (I know this is not really surprising but I am just so excited!!!) They didn't lay in the nest boxes but it was only the first night I suppose.

The dog was petrified of the noises coming from the hen house this morning and ran to her bed! I am taking heed of everyones advice and taking it slow with introductions once they have settled in,  so Poppet has been whining at the window to meet them for an hour and has now given up and is chewing her ball!

Have tried to upload a picture but it wont let me.  I am supposed to be working from home today but not sure I am going to get much done, too much chicken watching!

Thanks again for advice, am off to eat my first eggs!

mantha 

[evie2]

Excellent

[orchardlady]

Glad to hear your new girls have arrived and are starting to settle in. You may find that you won't get any more eggs for a little while as these ones were 'in the pipe line' so to speak but once they have settled in well you will be delighted with their little gifts to find.

[bantam novice]

That's great, Martha