Newbie incoming

[Charly2018]

Hi everyone
I have been reading the forums on the page for weeks now and thought it best to just join.
I'm a newbie to the chicken world. We have as a family literally just got our first hens...i have done alot of research and I know the advice was to go for the hybrids as first time owners but I just fell in love with a few of the purebred large fowl.
We have just had our first babies 2 speckled Sussex large and I'm getting a blue orpington and golden Brahma next week.
The girls are only 9 weeks atm but can't believe how big they already but going off the parents I'm glad weve got a big garden and big run.
We have encountered our first problem...the family dog. We have a shihztu she is only young herself and can't seem to leave them alone.
We wanted them to be able to free range when we were home but I'm a bit worried. Would you suggest wait until they are a little bit older and used to us first before introducing the dog? Or would you suggest just getting it out the way now??
Secondly the run area is in part shade and I have enough room for logs and a dustbath etc..would you suggest the dustbath permanently in the shade or not?
Thought I would upload the run as we are still putting it together maybe you could give a few hints and tips before we finish..
TIA
Charlotte

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hi everyone
I have been reading the forums on the page for weeks now and thought it best to just join.
I'm a newbie to the chicken world. We have as a family literally just got our first hens...i have done alot of research and I know the advice was to go for the hybrids as first time owners but I just fell in love with a few of the purebred large fowl.
We have just had our first babies 2 speckled Sussex large and I'm getting a blue orpington and golden Brahma next week.
The girls are only 9 weeks atm but can't believe how big they already but going off the parents I'm glad weve got a big garden and big run.
We have encountered our first problem...the family dog. We have a shihztu she is only young herself and can't seem to leave them alone.
We wanted them to be able to free range when we were home but I'm a bit worried. Would you suggest wait until they are a little bit older and used to us first before introducing the dog? Or would you suggest just getting it out the way now??
Secondly the run area is in part shade and I have enough room for logs and a dustbath etc..would you suggest the dustbath permanently in the shade or not?
Thought I would upload the run as we are still putting it together maybe you could give a few hints and tips before we finish..
TIA
Charlotte

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I’d suggest searching for “dogs and chickens” or something like that - plenty of threads on the topic.

More generally, on this link you'll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping birds - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


This is another useful link relating to guides to read through - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/website-announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3/?prefix_id=3


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie


Welcome to BYC - you have some great links already so I'll just say hello!
All the best

Pork Pie

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[ronott1]

Good luck with the dog introduction!

 

[drumstick diva]

I suggest you hold off with the dog until the chickens are bigger, then if the dog bothers them too much, they will correct her.