Rat Terriers and Chickens

[red-hen]

That's a good idea. That's simiilar to the "high pitched puppy squeal - yipe" I do when puppies are playing but using their teeth. Thanks.

 

[jab91864]

My rat terrier and my dachshund accompany me into the coop and run on a daily basis. They get into spots I can't reach...under the coop etc.

I have to scold them for eating chicken food and poop but other than that they don't bother the chickens. Now if they see me chase a chicken they join in and that is when you have to watch the excitement of the moment can get the better of them. But they have never harmed any of my birds.

I also take that with a grain of salt and wouldn't leave any dog unattended with my flock but that is just me. I wish I could get them to "herd" the flock in the direction I wanted the to go ...lol. I have 2 shelties but I don't trust them with my chickens as they can get nippy when they "herd" stuff.

I also have a pug and a shih tzu and they pretend the birds don't exist.

Julie

 

[banter]

Being a bear of very little brain, it also took me a long time to learn to carry cheese or a treat in my pocket when I take the dogs out (with wildlife and free rangers) Just moved to the country a year ago and I' trying to avoid skunks, porcupine, deer chasing etc.......Had less troubles in the subs!

 

[red-hen]

Oh Jab91864 I would adore your pack of pups.

I love so many little dogs - probably because all my life I only ever had really big dogs. My b/f introduced me to the power of the pocket sized pooches and I'm smitten. His mom has a Shih tzu and I can imagine her ignoring the birds too. ... lol.. that's quite funny about yours. Dachshund ... I just love those too. But then, what don't I love? The way things go at my b/f's house, he finds so many strays it is amazing - so I guess eventually I'll be inundated too - maybe some pocket pooches among the bunch.

Banter that's smart about the cheese etc. Might be a good thing to do with almost any dog when you're trying to train them to keep their eyes on you, too.

My b/f was walking the neighborhood "pack" (they all tag along on his hikes) and he forgot he had hotdogs in his coat (which he calls 'puppy crack') until he found one working his nose deeply into the pockets while walking along. lol.

Thanks everyone. I sure enjoy the doggy stories.

 

[WDPKS]

Yes Reh-Hen we've had ratties for yrs. they know which animals belong to us & which are not, that extends to your rabbits which if they find a baby (kit) they will gently pick it up & take it to the garage & try to nurse it, we have been having problem with the eggs, a new pup got thtem into stealing but when we caught them in the act they, your not going to belive this, but they bring the eggs they find to the door, is a bird gets out they have a different bark to let us know something is not right. But we have the oldest line in So. Ca. my dadstarted breeding this line 20yr ago. so we have had alot of gen to work with. I have some pics of ducks, chickens, dogs & turtle all eating toghter if I can find I figure out how to post it.

But just work with them & let them know what you expect of them & be consistent about it

 

[red-hen]

Hi WDPKS, Thanks for that info! I'll send you a private message via the forum here to give you my email address. If you wouldn't mind sending me the pictures via email - that would be just great. I'd really love to see them.

 

[red-hen]

Did my private message work?

 

[WDPKS]

yes it did I've been busy with our daughter her science project made it to regional judging & she was picked for a special band conert, & everything else. I can only ssteal a few min. on the PC I will try my best to hurry, we are expecting puppies any day now. reg rat terriers

 

[red-hen]

Please take your time. I just thought my message didn't work. I've pm'd three people via the forum and no one ever replied so I figured it wasn't working. Sorry to panic.

I'm in no hurry really.

Congrats on your daughter's projects!

 

[USMCSGT]

Now I know why my rat acts the way she does. We just got her, and she is 9 yrs old. Her last owner past away. I have seen her trying to get the mice or moles in my yard. We are getting ready for our chicks to come in the next few weeks, how would you get her use to the chicks. Just make a bed beside them?