PoultryTalk.com

Hi, I am new to chickens, it has always been a wish of ours to own a few chickens in the back garden, and we are finally taking the plunge!!! Any tips would be great, starting with 4, we have two rather boisterous dogs (jack russells) so any tips on introducing them to each other would be great!!

Hello. Have you got your chickens yet? Have you decided what breed?

i am the same i have a dog lil staffy he is very soft and not to much of a handfull we have a section of the garden behind fence for my veggies and where i would like the chickens to go but.... there is only paving slabbed area left for the chickens to go on is it possible to have thm on there if we make a scratching box for them with earth and bark in in(easy enough to keep clean and replenish worms and milworms) would greatfull to take on board any advice anyone has to offer i have heard so many different yes and no's from people just not sure if i can for the welfare of the chickens
thank you in advance

we got our ladies today, 4 hybrids. they have settled in really well. dogs don't actually seem that bothered by coop or chickens apart from the excitement when we first brought them in. no way i will let them out of the run unless i put doggies in the house though im not that brave!! they all went to bed tonight with no fuss, i can't believe how easy it was!! The woman at the farm we got them, was really helpful, and friendly - highly recommended. pics to follow!!

Hi Wend,you could introduce your pooches to your hens gradually as long as you have a firm controlled grip.Dont take it for granted as they are terriers after all.Probably best they lead seperate lives.
www.woodenart.org.uk

I agree with woodenart, iv,e introduced fowl and pigeons to my terriers in the past and they did,nt bother with the birds although they were working dogs, but i would never have trusted them 100%. Good luck with your new birds. Mickay as for keeping your birds on hard standing, the only problem i can see is it will need washing down often, this would be ok in summer but it would,nt dry out in winter, Can,t you move a few slabs ? all the best.