Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[dekel18042]

But..... I worry that the birds will be inclined to not flee from canines as quickly as they should since they view ours as 'protectors'...will they know to be afraid if a stray roams through or will it be too late when they realize not every dog is like Mindy or Dillon?

We used to worry bout that too, but trust me, your chickens will know the difference, even if the dog in question is very similar to the one they know.
Think about this. Chickens in flocks even large flocks like 100 birds, know their flock mates. In experiments when they were paired with a different bird but the same breed as their flock mates, they knew. So if they can differentiate between nearly identical birds, dogs shouldn't pose a problem.
Among our dogs are shelties some of whom are the same color and size as a fox. My husband used to worry the chickens wouldn't be afraid of foxes till the morning they all came screaming and flying towards the house. A fox was at the end of the yard. For a while we had a fox problem and the minute he poked his head anywhere they knew. For a while we let the guard dog stay with them.
This summer we got a new puppy. First we had him on leash while they were in their runs. Then off leash while they were in their runs. Then on leash when they were free ranging then within less than a week he was off leash when they were out. Perhaps because we and the other dogs were with him he was accepted pretty quickly. Initially he would go up to their runs and sniff and they would go right up to him, perhaps because I had treats in my hand for them.
He's pretty high energy and the birds, event the tiny bantams are fine with all our dogs.
If you have dogs that protect your chickens, lucky chickens. I would think your birds could tell the difference, perhaps even in the way a strange dog would act or carry himself.
I've also noticed if a stranger comes dressed like our usual attire, jeans, etc, the birds are wary but if we're with the person, they are quick to accept him or her. Someone dressed up they're more cautious about yet if my husband or I are wearing different types of clothes, it doesn't seem to bother them. Perhaps they have more innate intelligence than we give them credit for.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

The dog thing is something I am sort of torn about... it is awesome that the dogs can roam freely with the birds and I don't have to worry at all about them, and it is adorable to watch the interactions, and the dogs are even more protective of their 'friends' probably because of the amount of interaction they get.
But..... I worry that the birds will be inclined to not flee from canines as quickly as they should since they view ours as 'protectors'...will they know to be afraid if a stray roams through or will it be too late when they realize not every dog is like Mindy or Dillon? The rare times a stray dog has come near our place Mindy or Dillon have been there and taken care of the threat immediately, so the birds have yet to be exposed to the risks, but I realize that it will almost be an inevitable occurrence and we can only hope and pray that some deep instinct will kick in for the birds. We love letting them range in the woods behind us and the yard areas but the risks are certainly scary.

I think your chickens will know the difference. My girls are not afraid of my dog, but if they see the neighbors dogs running near the fence they run the other direction. They know what's what!

 

[sharron]

Is anyone from Westmoreland county? Around Arnold or new ken?

i'm in scottdale, about maybe 20 miles thru the woods lol

 

[fisherlady]

We used to worry bout that too, but trust me, your chickens will know the difference, even if the dog in question is very similar to the one they know.
Think about this. Chickens in flocks even large flocks like 100 birds, know their flock mates. In experiments when they were paired with a different bird but the same breed as their flock mates, they knew. So if they can differentiate between nearly identical birds, dogs shouldn't pose a problem.
Among our dogs are shelties some of whom are the same color and size as a fox. My husband used to worry the chickens wouldn't be afraid of foxes till the morning they all came screaming and flying towards the house. A fox was at the end of the yard. For a while we had a fox problem and the minute he poked his head anywhere they knew. For a while we let the guard dog stay with them.
This summer we got a new puppy. First we had him on leash while they were in their runs. Then off leash while they were in their runs. Then on leash when they were free ranging then within less than a week he was off leash when they were out. Perhaps because we and the other dogs were with him he was accepted pretty quickly. Initially he would go up to their runs and sniff and they would go right up to him, perhaps because I had treats in my hand for them.
He's pretty high energy and the birds, event the tiny bantams are fine with all our dogs.
If you have dogs that protect your chickens, lucky chickens. I would think your birds could tell the difference, perhaps even in the way a strange dog would act or carry himself.
I've also noticed if a stranger comes dressed like our usual attire, jeans, etc, the birds are wary but if we're with the person, they are quick to accept him or her. Someone dressed up they're more cautious about yet if my husband or I are wearing different types of clothes, it doesn't seem to bother them. Perhaps they have more innate intelligence than we give them credit for.

I think your chickens will know the difference. My girls are not afraid of my dog, but if they see the neighbors dogs running near the fence they run the other direction. They know what's what!

Thank you both! I tend to agree, but having not had firsthand exposure it was always cause for some concern, hearing from others with firsthand experience in the behaviors is reassuring!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

So after a year and a half of having two families under the same roof, my daughter and grandsons have moved out. They have only been gone a day, but the whole environment of the house is different. Quieter, cleaner and sadder. The grass is always greener on the other side, no? Overall a good change for all involved, but still kind of sad. The best part is, they are just up the street.

I can understand the 'empty nest' sort of sad...but great that they are close enough for visit but you don't need to worry about cleaning up after the daily tornadoes! LOL

. it really is the best of both worlds having them so close! Although, no empty nest here, still have 1 in middle school and one in high school. This week is the first time since the 80's that I have not had an elementary school aged child to get ready. No more tying shoes.

[COLOR=0000FF]So after a year and a half of having two families under the same roof, my daughter and grandsons have moved out. They have only been gone a day, but the whole environment of the house is different. Quieter, cleaner and sadder. The grass is always greener on the other side, no? Overall a good change for all involved, but still kind of sad. The best part is, they are just up the street.[/COLOR]

When we moved last year, we stayed in my in-laws' house for a couple months. MIL was nice but couldn't wait to kick us out. Now even though DH and DS still visit them twice a week, she's sad and happy just like you. At lease your daughter and grandsons are not too far away.

The lease on my daughter's property started at the end of October, but she took a little convincing to get packed... DH said if I didn't stop coddling her, cooking meals, doing laundry, ect that she'd never go!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

That's hilarious! How funny, a chicken running towards a dog for protection.


I do love having broodies. And since I have had broodies before ever using an incubator, I am really spoiled.

The dog thing is something I am sort of torn about... it is awesome that the dogs can roam freely with the birds and I don't have to worry at all about them, and it is adorable to watch the interactions, and the dogs are even more protective of their 'friends' probably because of the amount of interaction they get.
But..... I worry that the birds will be inclined to not flee from canines as quickly as they should since they view ours as 'protectors'...will they know to be afraid if a stray roams through or will it be too late when they realize not every dog is like Mindy or Dillon? The rare times a stray dog has come near our place Mindy or Dillon have been there and taken care of the threat immediately, so the birds have yet to be exposed to the risks, but I realize that it will almost be an inevitable occurrence and we can only hope and pray that some deep instinct will kick in for the birds. We love letting them range in the woods behind us and the yard areas but the risks are certainly scary.

I agree with the crowd on this. Our goats know somehow that Bella is their friend, but our terrier...no way! I always know when he is near because the goats all raise the hair on their backs and point their ears at him. If he's silly enough to get close, they head butt him.

 

[Kiomey]

Just popping in to say hi to everyone! Hope everyone is clucking away! My girls are finally getting through their molts and I actually got 3 (SERIOUSLY THREE!) eggs today compared to many many days without a single one! Boo ya!

Everyone stayin warm and busy? ^^

 

[duckies1230]

OK. There are a couple kind of close...lol...point being, current living situation, I must re home my Pekins and I'm very distraught over this. A female and male, beloved pets. I will never let anything happen to them. Anyone interested? Or know of anywhere close that will take them. I wish I had a temporary home for them but I dont know how long. They are not for sale. They need a good home, I would never ask a price for their safety and happiness. I thought I found someone but I haven't heard from her so I most likely missed my chance! This is sad and hard for me and my DD!

 

[fisherlady]

Just popping in to say hi to everyone! Hope everyone is clucking away! My girls are finally getting through their molts and I actually got 3 (SERIOUSLY THREE!) eggs today compared to many many days without a single one! Boo ya!

Everyone stayin warm and busy? ^^

Howdy stranger!! Great to hear from you, we can sympathize on the egg situation, molt has been rough here, but my girls are getting older, so I guess it's to be expected.
We have the pot bellied stove fired up, DH is getting a load of coal tomorrow, so we will be in good shape there...

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Just some pictures

Faith and Merci, BCM

Adam, struttin' his stuff

Pebbles, my cuddler

I managed to get a poop board in the turkey coop today and a secured roost finally.

Sunny, CCL cockerel

Stormy, CCL pullet

Group shot, CCLs. Cher up front, Stormy behind her, Luna way in the back. Sunny, still chowing down.

Luna, CCL pullet