Chicken Newbies

[TheMlazgars]

Hi Backyard Chicken Family,

Our 6 beautiful chickens arrived this morning and we couldnt be more excited! This is our 1st time owning chickens and to tell you the truth I am a little nervous. I just have a couple questions and would appreciate all the feedback I can get. We purchased 6 20 week old lay hens from buckerfields and I was just wondering how long it typical takes for them to get comfortable and start laying in their new enviroment?? Also, We have a 4 year old black lab and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on how to get them use to eachother. I have brought our dog (Trigger) down to the coop twice today (on her leash) and have just let her sit in the door of there coop just to watch them. Thanks in advance for all the feedback. Any other advice for us newcomers would be greatly appreciated aswell!

Thanks,

The Mlazgars

 

[lucymarie]

We have a king Charles cave. And the best thing that happened to her was a few pecks on the nose... she gives them space. We have 1buff corps & 2speckled Sussex. We hope they like eah other.. chicks are about 10 weeks. Good luck.

 

[drumstick diva]

How does Trigger act around the chickens. Is she mildly interested ? Or does she pull on leash and lunge toward them? The first one would be the best reply. I think if you have her around on lead and go about your chicken chores- she may get used to them to the point of boredom. Some people will hold the chicks and announce firmly "MINE!" so they know it's their property not a dog toy. I don't ever think it's a good idea to hold a chick up to the dog's face - the dog thinks you are offering a treat and wants to eat it.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Great to have you aboard! I have 2 labs and a golden...for whatever reason they all ignore the chickens and turkeys. When the chicks are little making their little cheeping noises they are very curious but nothing more. Not sure what the secret is - sorry. Good luck to you!

 

[brahmabreeder]

 

[TheMlazgars]

The first time i took Trigger out there she was pulling at the leash and shaking . I kept telling her they were nice chickens. The second time there was no pulling at the leash she just sat there and stared into the coop. I will try and take her down there as much as a i can! We will take it one day at a time Thanks for the help.

 

[BantamFan4Life]