tinbum71 Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Does anyone here have springers and chickens? I'm after a dog to stay out during the day with my chooks to ward off mr fox, and come in the house in the evening. A springer would have the added advantage that I could take it shooting too! I would be looking for a pup so it could be raised with birds around it, but I just wondered if anyone thought that was a daft idea. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 It will have nothing to do with the breed, it will be down to the training, and your incompetence suggests to me that a a terrier that has had his head pecked by a cockerel will be the best ton you ever spent. Check out you local 'keeper' Dont slag me with PM's if you don't like my answer. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbum71 Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 I have kept greyhouds and lurchers for many years now and know from experience that instinct has a habit of taking over training when something small and fluffy runs by! I have the same concerns with terriers. I have used springers several times while beating and am impressed with their (seeming) abstinance when it comes to attacking birds on the ground. I was just wondering if anyone had first hand experience they could share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salisburykeeper Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 ive had all types of dogs and chickens and other poultry, they have always mixed with the poultry from pups and never had a problem, its just a matter of the dogs spending time with them. I will try and look out a pic i have of my old sheepdog and lurcher there used to be a couple of hens that roosted in their dog basket along with the dogs and the dogs would even wash the hens! and the next day both dogs would catch rabbits and take the occasional pheasant. I think its down to the chickens being comfortable with the dog as well but doing it from an early age i very much doubt there will be any problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbum71 Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 ive had all types of dogs and chickens and other poultry, they have always mixed with the poultry from pups and never had a problem, its just a matter of the dogs spending time with them. I will try and look out a pic i have of my old sheepdog and lurcher there used to be a couple of hens that roosted in their dog basket along with the dogs and the dogs would even wash the hens! and the next day both dogs would catch rabbits and take the occasional pheasant. I think its down to the chickens being comfortable with the dog as well but doing it from an early age i very much doubt there will be any problems Thats great advice. My current lurchers are just too "specialized" to risk and I'm relatively new to chickens, well, that's down to the wife, and just wanted to be sure. It's now just a case of what do I want more, a flusher or retriever? Thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 My mate has his huge kennels next to his chicken run. His kennels house four springers and four collies, all working dogs and he has a terrier and retired collies living indoors. The collies would create hell if they saw a fox near his chooks whereas the spaniels spend the whole time running up and down the wire following their every move. He prefers big dogs for his sheep work and I have seen one of his collies take a fox as clean as any lurcher while his springers are trained to ignore them. Agree with LB, a feisty terrier will do the trick, just dont expect a gun dog to be a fox killer. Horses for courses. Footnote, the biggest and best working collie and a really good welcoming friend was put down today, gutted dont come close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbum71 Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 My mate has his huge kennels next to his chicken run. His kennels house four springers and four collies, all working dogs and he has a terrier and retired collies living indoors. The collies would create hell if they saw a fox near his chooks whereas the spaniels spend the whole time running up and down the wire following their every move.He prefers big dogs for his sheep work and I have seen one of his collies take a fox as clean as any lurcher while his springers are trained to ignore them. Agree with LB, a feisty terrier will do the trick, just dont expect a gun dog to be a fox killer. Horses for courses. Footnote, the biggest and best working collie and a really good welcoming friend was put down today, gutted dont come close. Thanks Digger, I'm truly sorry to hear about your sad news. I'm not expecting the dog to attack the fox, just to be a deterent by being there. It's only 1/2 an acre he'd have to patrol. I've considered a long haired jack russell, as that would stop the rats getting a foothold too. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 My mate has his huge kennels next to his chicken run. His kennels house four springers and four collies, all working dogs and he has a terrier and retired collies living indoors. The collies would create hell if they saw a fox near his chooks whereas the spaniels spend the whole time running up and down the wire following their every move.He prefers big dogs for his sheep work and I have seen one of his collies take a fox as clean as any lurcher while his springers are trained to ignore them. Agree with LB, a feisty terrier will do the trick, just dont expect a gun dog to be a fox killer. Horses for courses. Footnote, the biggest and best working collie and a really good welcoming friend was put down today, gutted dont come close. Sorry to read that Digger LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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