Oh, I feel your pain! We also have a tractor type coop, but the chickens only have a small grassy area at the bottom to run around in, and I can't stand the thought of keeping them inside all the time, so I let them free range during the day, or at least for a few hours a day depending on what...
Hi everyone! I thought I'd give you an update on my dog with the chickens. It's been a little over a month since he killed a hen and got whopped over the head with the dead hen in a garbage bag. (I know, mean, mean owner)
Since then, we have watched him carefully and we scold him anytime he...
We've only had our hens 6 weeks and we kept them in their tractor coop the first several weeks. (there's a grassy area at the bottom they can run around in) I hated keeping them cooped up, but my husband insisted they needed to get used to their new home. Now, they go to their coop on their own...
We have 5 hens and we're now getting 5 eggs a day thanks to all of your good advice! We've only had them 6 weeks and I'm thrilled. We didn't get any eggs the first 2 weeks, but I started reading here and you all have helped so much. Yesterday was the first day we got a 100%; all 5 hens laying...
Wait a second. I think you misunderstood. I don't think anyone said that hitting a dog is an effecive method of training! However, whacking him over the head with the dead chicken seemed like an effective way to let him know I was angry with him about the chicken. Trust me, he got the message...
Well, we shall see. He catches on very, very quickly, but for now, he's on probation and being carefully monitored. It is good to hear that I may eventually be able to trust him. Thankfully, he's out helping hubby with cattle this afternoon, so the hens can roam without me monitoring the dog...
Good one. However, I have to disagree. He most certainly knew why he got whacked. I took the hen away while scolding, placed her in the bag, and whacked him. He was watching me put her in the bag. He's a very smart dog. However, he's smart enough to sneak around and do what he wants and then...
I told ya'll several days ago about my dog killing a hen. It was the first time my dog had been around chickens. I immediately took the dead hen from him, put her in a garbage bag, scolded him, and whopped him over the head with the hen, hard. (meanie, I know) Since then, if the chickens are...
Yes, you are very lucky! I didn't know there were dogs who would protect chickens! My ACD (blue heeler) has already killed one hen. Totally my fault because I was not supervising him closely enough. He is protective of cattle, but this chicken thing is new to him (and me). After he killed the...
My dog showed no agression toward the chickens today, but I was right there with him. I wonder if I can trust him.??? I was so mad at him for killing that hen. I put the hen in a garbage bag and whopped in over the head with it. I'm just concerned his instinct will override if I'm not watching...
Gosh, I didn't know to train them. We have a 5 gallon bucket with 3 nipples and that's all they've had since we got them 3 weeks ago. They figured it out I guess.
Thanks, everyone. I wasn't sure about the shells. I knew not to feed them raw eggs. I went ahead and gave them some, and they liked them. Heck, these chickens like everything! Still only 4 eggs today, so 2 are not laying. They spent a few hours out roaming, and now they are in for the evening...