Dogs and Chicks

[Thomas423]

Two years ago we had two Peking Ducks. We had them in their own yard but my small dog got in one morning and chased them, plucking their feathers as he couldn't catch them. I really don't believe he was trying to hurt them but unfortuantly he did. We now have chicks and he is very curious about them and has not tried to hurt them but....we will never trust him with them. Our pen and coop is predator and dog proof.

Good luck with your parents but be careful with the dogs.

Also, our barred rocks seem to be noisier than the other chicks.

 

[farmin'chick]

Sorry, but unless you can find a way to keep your Westie totally away from the chicks, even when they're chickens, you'd be lucky to have them survive. Now, there certainly ARE ways to do that! There's a terrific small coop with a fully enclosed run good for 2 or 3 hens that's made from wire and a dog kennel/carrier. Those plans come from Mother Earth News. But as far as Westies go, they are bred to chase, kill, and eat small animals. There is probably someone, somewhere who keeps a Westie with chickens and they all do fine, but as far as BREED CHARACTERISTICS, it is not a great idea...nor are guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, etc.... The Westie lightbulb lights up and goes DININER! DINNER! DINNER!

 

[sloallie10]

farmin'chick :

Sorry, but unless you can find a way to keep your Westie totally away from the chicks, even when they're chickens, you'd be lucky to have them survive. Now, there certainly ARE ways to do that! There's a terrific small coop with a fully enclosed run good for 2 or 3 hens that's made from wire and a dog kennel/carrier. Those plans come from Mother Earth News. But as far as Westies go, they are bred to chase, kill, and eat small animals. There is probably someone, somewhere who keeps a Westie with chickens and they all do fine, but as far as BREED CHARACTERISTICS, it is not a great idea...nor are guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, etc.... The Westie lightbulb lights up and goes DININER! DINNER! DINNER!

OH DONT SAY THAT! that makes me feel worse!​

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Tell them about all the eggs you will have when the chickens get old enough.

 

[sloallie10]

they said that one of the last things they care about chickens is there eggs. i just talked to them durring dinner. cause my mom said you would have more of a chance getting chickens if you have one ( i would want to get 4 cause were a 5 people family) but i said they are very social creatures and cant live alone. they said why would you want 4? i said the eggs?!?!?!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Tell them about all the nice fresh eggs they would produce.

You could have chickens with dogs. I have 3 - Aussie, Austrailian Cattle Dog (blue heeler) and puppy red heeler/shihtzu mix.

Just make sure you have a little coop/run that are dog/preditor proof.

Show them pics of all the cute coops and chicks.

I had to wait till I was a girl of 49 before I got chicks. My parents always said no to everything I wanted to drag home and ex wasn't into pets.

YAHOO!!! Now I get to do whatever I want.

Good luck to you

 

[Kansaseq]

I have 4 dogs and all would eat the chickens in a heartbeat.I have to be diligent about keeping them separated, but it IS possible. Keep them in a dog pen (the chickens) and put chicken wire around the bottom to keep the hens from sticking their heads out. Some dogs will grab them and pull them through the wire. You can make it work,just have to be careful and plan.

 

[sloallie10]

well the westie (lexie) isnt fiesty, she wouldnt dig to kill the chickens?!?!?! i dont no what my parents are worried about?! maybe she'll bark but oh well i put her in a time out (lol, we put her on a chair).

 

[xadika]

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[Sequin]

My guess is that your parents are thinking of the responsibility and work and time that comes with having more animals to care for. If you respect their decision and work really hard without their having to tell you to get things done(homework, chores, etc), the more likely they are to reward your efforts with additional responsibilities such as owning chickens. Bring your grades up, do your chores without asking, etc. all because you want to, not JUST so you can have chickens. Perhaps by the end of the school year they will allow you to have some chickens. And in that event, I would suggest the BO's as a good breed to start out with.