New member - ordered my chicks!

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Hiya, and welcome to BYC! :frow

I'm babysitting a mini-dachshound and taking her with me to do chores. She's fine with the free-range chickens, though they are cautious of her. They're used to our border collie and corgi, just not her, but they would in time get used to her too.

The younger chicks in growout pens seem like toys to her. She runs around the pen barking and acting like she wants one, so I'll not be introducing her to them other than from outside of the pen.

If she was chasing the adults, I'd have put her on a leash and worked with her on this, but she's fine. She and a chocolate silkie rooster have been hanging out on the deck. I would think this one-on-one could work for you, too, if you have a calmer chicken that wouldn't run off, and start with yours on a leash. I wouldn't put the chicken in your lap, as that could make the dog jealous and try jump up there to get it, as is what happened when I did that! 😳
 
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Chickenfevr said:
Hi everyone- I’m a new member and may have a few questions. It’s been a while since I had chickens. My main concern is/question is how to introduce my small dog to the chicks?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Rose
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Hello, welcome to BYC!! I'm in the process of introducing my labrador to our little quail. They are in a temporary brooder indoors just now. So far I have introduced the quail to my labrador (yes, using names 🤣). Doggo has been informed they are friend not foe. I have had him sit with me watching the quail do their thing. He was calm around them. Next step, I had him sit next to me with the brooder door open. Still calm.

Next step is to handle a quail whilst he is around. I'll ask someone else to help by keeping hold of his collar incase one gets loose. Slowly, slowly is my plan. Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck with your introduction.
 
Esc_Quaily said:
Hello, welcome to BYC!! I'm in the process of introducing my labrador to our little quail. They are in a temporary brooder indoors just now. So far I have introduced the quail to my labrador (yes, using names 🤣). Doggo has been informed they are friend not foe. I have had him sit with me watching the quail do their thing. He was calm around them. Next step, I had him sit next to me with the brooder door open. Still calm.

Next step is to handle a quail whilst he is around. I'll ask someone else to help by keeping hold of his collar incase one gets loose. Slowly, slowly is my plan. Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck with your introduction.
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I would, and did, have our dog on leash and walking around. It was sort of a set up for correction. When the chickens ran around, she, the dog, received a slight correction and verbal correction. The dog needs to be under control (leash) and witness their movements and sometimes the move very quickly. Our dog has a high prey drive and we worked it out. I would recommend working on lead and not just a collar.
 
Yes a leash would be better perhaps even a muzzle just in case. I forgot to mention my lab is old and doesn't chase like he used to. If he were younger I would definitely use a leash and muzzle. Doggo needs to learn the birds are family not prey. I've also given him treats/rewards when the birds are flapping and he remains still. He's at the point where he lays next to the brooder with his back to the birds. I'm taking this as him protecting the little birds from the wild children in our home. You know your dog best so use whatever aids you need to to keep your dog calm and the birds safe.
 

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