› ›

new here

chick
edited March 2010 in General chicken discussion
Hi I wonder if anyone could give me some advice. I would like to keep some chickens as family pets. We have a large garden the only thing is we have a small jackrussel dog. The dog has a pen at the top of the garden I was planing on puting the chickens in a fenced in area at the back they would be seperated from the dog by the length of the garden and two fences. So what do you think is this workable or not? Many thanks for your advice.

Comments

  • longfordchook
    edited November -1
    "chick" said:
    Hi I wonder if anyone could give me some advice. I would like to keep some chickens as family pets. We have a large garden the only thing is we have a small jackrussel dog. The dog has a pen at the top of the garden I was planing on puting the chickens in a fenced in area at the back they would be seperated from the dog by the length of the garden and two fences. So what do you think is this workable or not? Many thanks for your advice.
    i have hens running free around the place and a staffordshire that thinks shes one of them
    but i still keep an eye on her with them (she would have a go at any thing that came on our land.cats dogs foxes phesants crows and has killed crows and pheasents)
    the only thing is with terriers is that the flaping of wings can set of an instant response
    if the dog is settled enough you sould have no probs
    but will have to keep an eye on things
    because being terriers if they want them they will find a way in
    so make sure the dog dosnt have one
    and you souldnt have any problems

    vinnie
  • john
    edited November -1
    Hello chick. Just be carefull. I'd bring the dog into the birds encloser on a lead and see how it reacts. If it calm then it should be ok, if it goes mental then your just going to have to be careful and make sure the dog can't find a hole to get in.
    Lucky you Vinnie. My brother in law keeps a staff and she devoured his first 5 hybrids when he turned his back for a minute !!! He put up an electric fence and never had a problem since.
  • chick
    edited November -1
    Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. My mum has 3 hens think I will take the dog in to hers on the lead and see what happens. I will keep you posted lol. Also would you know where I could get my hands on a coop around armagh. The ones I've seen on line are soooo expensive its unreal. Thanks again
  • TheSmallFella
    edited November -1
    Just to add to the above, I have Ducks and Chickens that get on great with our dogs...never had an issue with them (infact the ducks think they are Great Danes I'm pretty sure). My Brother also keeps chickens and they get on great with his 2 Jack Russels.

    As with all animals, see how they react. The chickens are always going to run away at first with a dog, just make sure the Dog doesn't try chase them.

    All in all, even if they don't get on great, As long as they are kept seperated when you are away, then there shouldn't be a problem (IMHO).
  • john
    edited November -1
    Have you tried donedeal for a coop. All ways some on there. Keep us posted on how it goes. Like the smallfella says the birds may go mental when they see the dog and the dog may get excited. DON'T be but off if it doesn't work out. There's plenty of other options.... John
  • FATduck27
    edited November -1
    "chick" said:
    Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. My mum has 3 hens think I will take the dog in to hers on the lead and see what happens. I will keep you posted lol. Also would you know where I could get my hands on a coop around armagh. The ones I've seen on line are soooo expensive its unreal. Thanks again
    Hi chick, I have small coops for €70, but I think i might just be to far away from you. But if feel like a trip I can help get you started with a house, a few hens and everything else. I have drove to Armagh before in about 3 hours not too long of a trip.
  • chick
    edited November -1
    Hi Fatduck thanks very much but my old man has raided some skips and is planning on trying to build one himself well I'll just see how that goes I may need your help after all knowing my husband lol.
  • FATduck27
    edited November -1
    I your husband need any advise or ideas I can gladly help. I build all my chicken coops from scratch. Mostly out of recycled materials.
    Here's a house I made last year for my laying flock. It's made out of old doors & holds 15 hens

    http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/FATduck27/Housing/th_DSC01127.jpg http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/FATduck27/Housing/th_DSC01131.jpg

    http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/FATduck27/Housing/th_DSC01133.jpg http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/FATduck27/Chicken/th_DSC01132.jpg
  • Tom Stradbally
    edited November -1
    "john" said:
    Hello chick. Just be carefull. I'd bring the dog into the birds encloser on a lead and see how it reacts. If it calm then it should be ok, if it goes mental then your just going to have to be careful and make sure the dog can't find a hole to get in.
    Lucky you Vinnie. My brother in law keeps a staff and she devoured his first 5 hybrids when he turned his back for a minute !!! He put up an electric fence and never had a problem since.
    I have to agree with John about the electric fence, it was the best investment I ever made, no more worries about getting home early to but the chicks in, no worries about Foxes or dogs and it's not that much dearer when you have to put up new fencing.......................Tom.
  • chick
    edited November -1
    cheers guys for the great advice. Your hen house looks fantastic :) will show photos to the hubby I would say he would defo be able to manage that. He knocked up a good heavy gate in about 20min at the weekend.
Sign In or Register to comment.