Hello!

[krthaymp]

Hi everyone!
I just acquired three hens and a rooster from my sister’s flock that had grown a bit out of control. She has mainly silkies and her only three polish hens were being bullies, so they have their own yard now along with their bantam rooster! I’m not super new to chickens - my parents kept a flock off and on when we were growing up - but this is my first solo adventure and I’m already feeling the learning curve!
Despite the challenges, I’m loving watching their antics and looking forward to their pest control help in the garden this year.
I haven’t let them out to free range yet, but this weekend will make two weeks they’ve been here and I think this weekend will be their first yard exploration.
I have three dogs and a cat, so my goal is currently to get everyone used to each other.
I’m really happy I found this site, and looking forward to learning from everyone!

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello and Welcome to BYC and Glad to have You here in this Poultry Loving Community. I hope you dogs learn to see them as family and not as a food source.

 

[krthaymp]

We have a border collie that I'm not super worried about - she wants to herd them and bark at them, but not hurt them. She'll learn. It's the standard poodle I'm mostly concerned about. He's WAY too interested, and will be sporting a leash while outside until I'm confident he can be recalled of they decide to run and his instinct to chase kicks in. The third dog is smaller than the chickens and zero threat - he's kinda terrified of them.
Once I find the appropriate board, I'll make a post for some tips on getting the poodle under control and as safe as possible around the chickens!

 

[Marie2020]

Hello

I'm so pleased you found us.

Hopefully your dog will soon realise that your chickens are part of the family pack soon.

My dog used to chase cat's off our area, then one day a little kitten got attacked by Maggies. After that he always made sure when he was out that no other cat bothered him

I fed this kitty for a long time eventually trapping him to get him fixed. A year later he moved in and hid behind my dog.
Both the dog and cat are great with the chickens, especially the cat , he hangs out with my last remaining old girl to the amusement of almost everyone that passes by

 

[Jenbirdee]

hi there! welcome to BYC!!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Congrats on your new flock! They sound lovely. Just be very careful with the dog, most dogs have the instinct to kill chickens. Even all the barking can stress your birds out. Silkies are very delicate chickens.

Welcome to our community!

 

[N F C]

Hi, congrats on a flock of your own! The Learning Center has this article about training puppies, but may have some helpful tips for you with your dogs: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-to-be-trustworthy-around-your-poultry.78407/

Best wishes!

 

[azurbanclucker]

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck with your new flock.