I'm getting my babies this week

[youngbiddy]

I'm getting 3 Buff Orpingtons, 1 male and 2 female-2 Red Star females-2 Easter Egger females-and a Golden Laced Wyandotte male and female.

My question is this: What is the best way to acclimate the family dog ( a sweet tempered 2 year old Jack Russell) to the new inhabitants of his yard? (and no, I'm not throwing the helpless chicks out there with him) I've seen lots of pictures online of dogs and chickens peacefully sharing territory, but how do you get to that point?

My plan was to introduce him slowly to them on a one on one basis (holding him firmly and letting him sniff them) so he doesn't flip out over all of them at once. Then put them in a run in the backyard when they get around 6 weeks or so and get him (and them) used to being around each other all day.

Any suggestions?

 

[darkroo]

Welcome
I have two border collies that have done real well. When I had my chicks in the brooder box I would hold the dogs and let them look in the box and watch the chicks and my daughters would hold the chicks up to them and let them smell them. The little girl dog was more scared because a hamster had bitten her on the nose a long time ago. When we finely put the chickens in the back yard we brought the dogs out one at a time and stayed real close for the first little while. They both wanted to try herding them but the chicks moved to fast and in to many differrent directions for the dogs to handle. We still have to remind them not to get to close some times but usually it’s when we are passing out the treats. I think the most important thing is going slow and you know your dog and are responsible for giving him time to get use to them.

 

[nhnanna]

Good luck with your new chickies.

 

[youngbiddy]

Thank you! I can't wait to get the little guys, I've been thinking about this for almost 2 years. I'm a bit apprehensive about our Jack barking at them all the time till he gets used to them. I'm glad to hear that an excitable breed like collies did just fine, that's encouraging.

 

[Mahonri]

Congrats. Do you have more than one pen... that few hens with 2 roos could spell trouble.

Of course, I'm just assuming you'll all want more chickens anyway!!

 

[youngbiddy]

Quote:
Thanks, your dogs are gorgeous!

 

[youngbiddy]

Quote:
Yes, we were planning on letting them have some babies in a couple of years. According to my research, both the Orpington and the Wyandotte are supposed to be easy-going as roos go. I'm trying not to freak out now! Was that wrong? (also got two roos just in case one of them doesn't make it to adulthood for some reason)

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida. Glad to have you here!

 

[youngbiddy]

b.hromada :

and

from S. Florida. Glad to have you here!

Thank you, I'm excited to have chickens and I'm really glad this site exists! I look forward to learning from others experiences and getting to know people.​

 

[Darlasmum]

You are in for such a treat! I too am new to chickens with 3 just a week old today. The first time I saw them sleeping it scared me thinking they had died! They lie with their heads down and the wings relaxed- don't let it scare you too. And get your brooder nice and warm for them. The heat pack they came with was just barely warm so they really perked up under the lamp. Good luck and enjoy.