I need to vent...

[kcan2]

They really put you through the ringer!

Although I've only had my chickens for a little over a year, they have managed to sabotage most of my time, a good chunk of income, and still they expect more. So I understand!

My dog eventually lost most of her initial interest, and only tries to "help" with the chickens occasionally, although she doesn't have ugly motives (just wants a sniff, not a chicken dinner).

Once my chickens realized they are safe in their run, they pretty much ignored my dog. That in turn made the dog not focus so much on them (and their fear). Hope your flock settles in soon!

 

[CNJ]

I think you need to keep them where they sleep for a few days and then open the ramp and let them come out them selves. Then check up on them at night to see if they went back up.

My 2 - two month old chicks sleep on the ground. I tried putting them up on the perch a few times and gave up, But I did train 12 other chicks to perch in that same coop before. I put in more effort on my first batch, then I did with these two. I am pretty sure they will figure it out when they get older. Their survival instincts should kick in.

 

[WindingRoad]

Thank you so much for adding that. The coop is a two level with a wire enclosed run "downstairs" with a ramp up into the "upstairs" and a sliding door to close them in there. I figured to keep them as safe as possible at night I would close them in a little after dusk as often as I possibly can....is it ok to just leave that open and let them do their own thing even on cold nights in the 20's? and praise the Lord that 8 or 9 is reasonable!

Can you post a pic of what you have just described?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

These are also young birds. I have a trio of Phoenix chicks that finally learned how to use the ramp a few weeks ago and they're like 4 or 5 months now. They would have rather perch next to the wire on the tree branch.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The dogs: it's a matter of training, if you're hoping they'll share the same space or at least back off a bit. My most chicken aggressive dog, we've worked on her with "Leave It" and she does now peel away from the fence on command.

Or consider setting a hard rule in the household that the dogs and chickens are never to be out at the same time. If my dogs are outside, my chickens are fenced in. If the chickens are out of the run, the dogs are indoors, period.

The chicks: change is scary and upsetting. That's why they were upset when night came and they couldn't see well in this new environment.

I am also at a loss as to why they could fly and jump alllllll over the guest room but not get on the ramp to go to a safe, cozy space. What am I doing wrong? Are they too young? Am I too green? Does this just work itself out?

Nothing "natural" about a ramp - you'll need to train them to use it, either via treats or herding them physically up and down. I actually prefer steps because chickens seem to be able to use them without any real training. Also take a good look at your ramp - it could be too steep for ease of use, so reducing the angle could encourage them to use it.

Also, idk why I did not think about this when I got the chickens...but am I going to have to wake up with the sun to let them out of the upstairs part every day so that they will lay eggs eventually or will the sunlight that comes in through the little window they have be enough? I really do not think I can commit to letting them out at that time every day....more like 8 or 9 to be honest.

You can go with an automatic door, or make them wait until you get up (which I did for 2 years, then I opted for auto door). I personally am not willing to increase risk of predator attack by leaving the door open.

The only caveat is if you live in a hot climate, they can die of heat exhaustion if your coop isn't well ventilated and they can't get out to get to water quick enough in the morning, however I don't know your location or coop placement to know if that's an issue.

is it ok to just leave that open and let them do their own thing even on cold nights in the 20's?

That depends. Realistically, is the run safe enough? Is it covered? Is any opening larger than 1/2" covered? Is all the wire safely attached (i.e. is wire is sandwiched between pieces of wood screwed into more wood, or attached to wood with screws and fender washers to prevent pull out)? Is there an apron around the entire perimeter?

 

[RojoMarz]

We recently adopted a 7 y/o Jack Russell Terrier...omg, talk about prey driven. About the same time we got him, we also got three 10 week old pullets. The dog had never seen, much less been around chickens. After about two days, I was ready to give the dog back. Then I realized I hadn't given him a fair chance. Two months later, he is really good about not bothering the chickens (there are still sometimes he goes to the coop/run and barks, but not that much).

Couple things I noticed for our JRT, when he first was at our house and going to the chicken run:
1. The older pullets did not really react to his barking.
2. The new pullets would react and run, hide, flap wings, make noise, etc.
3. Dog would then react to the new pullets and bark constantly.
4. Dog responds better to multiple, quick commands. For instance, I use "leave it, leave it, leave it" said in a run on sentence format...not "leave it" "leave it" "leave it". Same with "quiet, quiet, quiet"

He has come a long way, but I will never trust him with the chickens. I have also installed a latch on the inside of the run door so I can lock him out, while I am in the run. I have no doubt he could open the run door.

Give you dogs and chickens (and yourself) a little time...it's all new.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have a Field Bred ESS & at least once a day for the last 7 years she charges the chicken pen & they all scatter & go about their day. She has only ever seen free range guineas when I had them & would was never really trained to avoid the chickens. As long as they are in the pen she is no threat & she is never outside unless I am out. Chickens still lay & act normal.

 

[svh]

Here's my controversial recipe for accordance of chook and K9.

This worked extremely well for me, and in the course of one afternoon, the hounds realized exactly what was expected of them.

WARNING : Do NOT try this unless you already have excellent control of your K9s, and are not in a condition, or situation to IMMEDIATELY intervene !!! Your mileage may vary !!!

INGREDIENTS :

1 Pack of three adult dogs.

1 Flock of new adult chickens.

One afternoon.

1 mouth full of feathers.

1 Big stick.

1 Booming voice.

1 leash ..... Optional


In a fairly large, confined space, mix alpha dog with chickens, while other K9s are watching. Use leash if desired.

With a heavy hand, employ big stick.

Remove feathers from dogs mouth, while using booming voice.

Rinse, and repeat with other K9s.


If all goes correctly, the consequential K9s will be reluctant to acquire the mouth full of feathers.

If not, employ the big stick, and booming voice until desired consistency is achieved.


Seriously, this was my experience, with my dogs, and literally took about an hour. Once the dogs realized what a tasty treat chicken poop is, they followed them around, and are now best friends, and excellent protectors !

Once the novelty of the poop eating wore off, within a few weeks, it was fairly easy to discourage them from foraging for feces !!! Now they only occasionally partake in this disgusting practice, and just a "look" from me makes them spit, and move along.

No animals were harmed in this exercise.

 

[Rampicruz]

Ok. Put some treats on the ramp make a trail right up into the coop. I bet they go in. Now go out before dark and put them birds on the roost. Put them in the same place every night and close the door. Go in the house and do your things now. I go out about 8 am and let my birds out and that's that. They go to bed just before dark. If you wait until it's totally dark they can't see and can't get onto the roost. As others have said here chickens hate change. They are creatures of habit. Make some good habits. Like getting on the roosts at night. You don't want them to sleep in a nest box. You'll have dirty eggs.

So helpful!! Thank you!! Oh yes that makes sense lol. I do not want dirty eggs. I will start plopping them down on the bars...probably not gunna stay there. Last night I went to check on them and they were partying up there. Scratching around in their tray that goes under the bars *face palm*. I will try the treat thing tonight!! Any treat recommendations for nearly 6 week old pullets?

 

[Rampicruz]

They really put you through the ringer!

Although I've only had my chickens for a little over a year, they have managed to sabotage most of my time, a good chunk of income, and still they expect more. So I understand!

My dog eventually lost most of her initial interest, and only tries to "help" with the chickens occasionally, although she doesn't have ugly motives (just wants a sniff, not a chicken dinner).

Once my chickens realized they are safe in their run, they pretty much ignored my dog. That in turn made the dog not focus so much on them (and their fear). Hope your flock settles in soon!

LOL!! Oh the joys of owning animals!!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Oddly enough I must have woken up on the RIGHT side of the bed today because almost like magic the dogs cared maybe 30% about the chickens. The chickens seemed to have stopped caring almost entirely about the dogs unless they bum rushed one of the sides of the enclosure. My girl, Luna, was more enamored with the big bag of chicken feed than the chickens and my boy, Link, would momentarily forget about the chickens and then suddenly remember they were there and start crying lol. It was a MUCH easier morning though compared to last nights insanity. And I agree! The chickens not reacting and flapping all over the place really seemed to help the dogs drive not kick in.