A
Anonymous
Guest
Got our 4 ex-batts last sunday,and started the dogs training as soon as we got home.We're lucky and have 7 dogs,5 Whippets and 2 terriers.Sunday and monday were relatively easy,the hens were shut in their house and run,so the hens could see and smell the dogs,and the dogs could see and smell the hens.I could supervise them all well,praising the chickens for being brave,and being firm with the dogs to be gentle as my 3 younger ones can be boisterous.
Tuesday came,with lovely sunny weather,and the hens were all asking to come out of the run.So I decided there was no time like the present,and went on with closer contact training.
First,I shut 4 of my younger dogs into a dog cage,it is in my lounge,with the door open so the dogs can go in and out as they please.When they want peace and quiet they do take themselves off to bed
.
My house is a 'modern' naff design,the back door to my garden is in my lounge,lovely to see the garden,but dogs,kids etc walk allsorts of debris in.Also,as I often have the back door open(even when I'm out)winds blow dust,dirt and leaves etc in.
With the other 3 dogs peacefully sleeping,floor,couch,chair,I brought the 4 hens in.Sat each 1 on my lap briefly,then popped them on the floor.the hens did look a bit stunned,the dogs looked horrified
.
After a short while,the hens seemed less stressed/shocked,they wandered round,tried out dog beds,drank from the dogs water bowl etc.My whippets just completely ignored them,allowing the hens to approach and inspect them,which they did.
The 4 dogs I'd shut in the cage,were desperately trying to get out.Couldn't quite believe the hens were in their house :lol: .When these 4 had calmed down,and were lying quietly,I allowed them out,3 came straight out.My smallest terrier,stayed in the cage,she was trembling and wanted to come out,but,Chicky hen was stood in the cage doorway,and the dog was too scared to walk past her.I left them to it,the dog needed to pluck up the courage to walk past the hen.The other 3 were busy sniffing the hens,but,being very carefull and cautious.
The hens stayed in the house for a couple of hours,exploring,checking stuff out etc. and the dogs were fine.I then put the hens back into their run and shut them up for the night.
Obviously,it is still too soon, to not supervise how they are interacting,but I'm very pleased so far.This morning,as soon as I let the hens out,Chicky came straight into the lounge,and,has spent most of the day indoors.The others have all popped in and out,Chicky pops out for a quick forage,maybe some sunbathing,but then comes back in,eventually settling on the chair where I'm sure she would have stayed for the night,if I hadn't taken her outside,back to the hen house.
So far,so good,hopefully this will last.
Tuesday came,with lovely sunny weather,and the hens were all asking to come out of the run.So I decided there was no time like the present,and went on with closer contact training.
First,I shut 4 of my younger dogs into a dog cage,it is in my lounge,with the door open so the dogs can go in and out as they please.When they want peace and quiet they do take themselves off to bed

My house is a 'modern' naff design,the back door to my garden is in my lounge,lovely to see the garden,but dogs,kids etc walk allsorts of debris in.Also,as I often have the back door open(even when I'm out)winds blow dust,dirt and leaves etc in.
With the other 3 dogs peacefully sleeping,floor,couch,chair,I brought the 4 hens in.Sat each 1 on my lap briefly,then popped them on the floor.the hens did look a bit stunned,the dogs looked horrified

After a short while,the hens seemed less stressed/shocked,they wandered round,tried out dog beds,drank from the dogs water bowl etc.My whippets just completely ignored them,allowing the hens to approach and inspect them,which they did.
The 4 dogs I'd shut in the cage,were desperately trying to get out.Couldn't quite believe the hens were in their house :lol: .When these 4 had calmed down,and were lying quietly,I allowed them out,3 came straight out.My smallest terrier,stayed in the cage,she was trembling and wanted to come out,but,Chicky hen was stood in the cage doorway,and the dog was too scared to walk past her.I left them to it,the dog needed to pluck up the courage to walk past the hen.The other 3 were busy sniffing the hens,but,being very carefull and cautious.
The hens stayed in the house for a couple of hours,exploring,checking stuff out etc. and the dogs were fine.I then put the hens back into their run and shut them up for the night.
Obviously,it is still too soon, to not supervise how they are interacting,but I'm very pleased so far.This morning,as soon as I let the hens out,Chicky came straight into the lounge,and,has spent most of the day indoors.The others have all popped in and out,Chicky pops out for a quick forage,maybe some sunbathing,but then comes back in,eventually settling on the chair where I'm sure she would have stayed for the night,if I hadn't taken her outside,back to the hen house.
So far,so good,hopefully this will last.