Ballymac Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 The OH has decided to get a few pet hens that will be free ranging around the house. Now I have two new pups that I intend to train over the coming months and years. Will this prove troublesome for the pups in that they will be told to leave the hens alone but flush other birds (when the time comes). Will they become confused?. Are there any pitfalls in this or benefits of having hens regarding training issues? Does anyone have or had the same experience and what are the things not to do and the things to do. Besides not getting hens that is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 The OH has decided to get a few pet hens that will be free ranging around the house. Now I have two new pups that I intend to train over the coming months and years. Will this prove troublesome for the pups in that they will be told to leave the hens alone but flush other birds (when the time comes). Will they become confused?. Are there any pitfalls in this or benefits of having hens regarding training issues? Does anyone have or had the same experience and what are the things not to do and the things to do. Besides not getting hens that is Ideal, a gun dog should be steady and you now have some good exposure for them. Hunting for you remember not for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 pitfalls yep they'll kill them, unless supervised all the time it won't work unless you are extremely lucky, what breed are the dogs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamford Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 We have hens and a spaniel......... Dont turn your back on them for a second, although ours have been out together I wouldnt trust our spanner full stop. Couple of times I've caught her on top of a chicken, although it seemed like a playfull act, if I'd left them alone I reckon I'd be a couple of chickens short Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballymac Posted September 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 what breed are the dogs? they are springers. I still have their mother and a lab, both of which are very good with hens or have been in the past. The new pups will be kept in a run, so exposure to the hens can be controlled when I am about anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t jack Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 (edited) i know of a spaniel trainer who has made up several FTCH,s who has numerous hens, geese, turkeys and ducks roaming his land, id suspect if the two couldnt exist together or caused problems the birds would be gone Edited September 22, 2010 by t jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 I have chickens and my two dogs (one patterdale terrier and a whippet/lurcher) dont bother them at all, if anything are a little bit scared of them, but both are happy to get rabbits ( and next doors cats) I made sure the dogs were introduced to the chickens when they were young and on a lead, and supervised them for a while until they didn't even notice them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmers saint Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 I Have a 4 year old Springer and a 9 week old cocker hand they are both running around the garden with the chickens as we speak. Allan..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liamp79 Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 We have a lab and ten chooks that free range in the garden. never had any problems as the dog was introduced over a period of time. If anything the dog seems to be steadier now! They soon learn chasing chickens is bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Not a problem. And if any gundog were to kill a bird I would have questions about it - bring it to hand fair enough, but it would need to be alive for me Pegleg on here I'm sure has hens and a couple of good dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troosers Too Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 The general idea is to train your dog. Any gundog you can't train to ignore your chickens isn't going to make it as a gundog (Terriers are a different kettle of fish, though). I've got a GSP, a springer & a lab who completely ignore the hens in the garden & even with the GSP who was about 7 years old when the hens arrived, and a born hunter, learned very quickly that the hens were off limits. The GSP is now a retired old lady but the other two work all through the season, either, beating, picking up or sitting on a peg and they certainly know the difference between the boss's chickens & game. Take it slowly at first - confine the chickens to a part of the garden & let the dog see them while on the lead. When they show real interest (which they will at first) pull them away with a firm "Leave that". Keep it up and within a surprisingly short time they'll get the message. Cheers TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmers saint Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I did forget to mention, I did Have a moment when my spring did bring one to hand Didn't have a mark on her still running around today.lol Allan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 sounds a great idea for steady-ing up a dog think i might get a few , how big a garden does one need to keep a few chickens ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 some pepole just put them in a rabbit hutch like pen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 We have a 13 week old cocker and we are trying to get her used to the hens, she was fine but one day she got too close and they attacked her so now she runs and barks at them when they are in their run and when they are out they run at her and try to attack her again. We've tried diverting her attention, and saying no and moving her away but as soon as she has the chance she's back at them barking. I'm hoping it's a puppy thing and she'll soon get bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'd be happy with my two springers with hens, no problem, they understand what they can and can't have........the gsp on the other hand, don't think so. She's very keen to hunt anything that moves and is a bit hard mouthed, it would be curtains for 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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