Washingtonians - Page 6776  

OK, I think I misread what SadieSue wrote and I meant no disrespect to anyone.

CR you have a wonderful protective dog for your DW. That's just way too much for words.

Will this rain ever stop? Sheeesh, the weather forcast is for another week of this and I hate building in the rain but I don't think I'm going to have a choice unless I  want to convert part of my garage to a hen-house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totalcolour 

okay, is this a serious question? Yes, okay then. You train them with treats and a clicker just like you do with a dog (you don't really need a clicker).

 

(Chickens learn very quickly, (not baby chicks) - I have 3 in isolation (awaiting pickup from their new owner) and they have learned how to flood their pens. They have automatic waterers that they have to press on to get water. I actually watched one of them hold down the little bar to make the water gush out, and then he laughed himself silly (REALLY) and then started doing at all over again. Then the others watching him, tried it for themselves. They all ended up having a water party. So now, I turn the water off and only turn it on for a bout 10 minutes while I watch to make sure they are drinking, not playing!)
 

 

Actually it was a serious question. I know squat about chickens first hand. This is my first attempt (I have 8 cuties about 10 days old or maybe older) at raising chickens. All I know about them has come from books and this forum and other locations on the internet that I googled. I never came across any article about "training" a chicken.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyb 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totalcolour 

okay, is this a serious question? Yes, okay then. You train them with treats and a clicker just like you do with a dog (you don't really need a clicker).

 

(Chickens learn very quickly, (not baby chicks) - I have 3 in isolation (awaiting pickup from their new owner) and they have learned how to flood their pens. They have automatic waterers that they have to press on to get water. I actually watched one of them hold down the little bar to make the water gush out, and then he laughed himself silly (REALLY) and then started doing at all over again. Then the others watching him, tried it for themselves. They all ended up having a water party. So now, I turn the water off and only turn it on for a bout 10 minutes while I watch to make sure they are drinking, not playing!)
 

 

Actually it was a serious question. I know squat about chickens first hand. This is my first attempt (I have 8 cuties about 10 days old or maybe older) at raising chickens. All I know about them has come from books and this forum and other locations on the internet that I googled. I never came across any article about "training" a chicken.
 

 

I've only ever "trained" one chicken to do anything...I have a buff Fav boy that due to some injuries spent much of his "growing up" time separated in a large crate.  He was so used to our hands being on him that he started picking at them, even got to where DS couldn't change his water bottle on his cage without getting pecked (not meanly, but also not acceptable).  I had a hamster castle in his cage for him to roost on, and so I started saying "get on your castle" before I opened his cage door, and then would guide him with the feed scoop onto his castle, and then proceed to fill his feeder.  After just a few days of this, I would say "get on your castle" and he would just do it without any guidance.  After a bit of that, whenever I would come up to his door, he would just go get on his castle and wait to see what I was going to do.    He's super sweet now, and VERY respectful! 

And a pic, just because...lol  And actually, he's ON his castle in this pic - which is why he's so close to the top of the cage...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickielady 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicken Rustler 

OK now ya got me confused. Are they going to Holland or Michigan? To help figure shipping. How many might ya want. Maybe ya could "split a hatchery order" with someone to help with the cost. lol

 

Maybe it is Holland, MI  ? There is a city called Holland in MI, I think...............

that'd be it!!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultasol 

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettec63 

Hmm she must have changed her mind then, I spoke to her a few weeks ago and she wasn't going??  Good!  It will be good to see her!!!

I wasn't going to go,.. but then Spring Break hit and I wasn't feeling quite as overwhelmed.  Soooooooo.... I am coming but not bringing many birds (9 birds in the show,.. some sale birds)

Ok Cool!! I was starting to feel like a DA!!   LOL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SadieSue 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyb 

The dogs are in their yard, right?

If so why are you upset? I understand the danger to your chickens I just don't understand your anger. It really is on you to keep your chckens on your property. Now if the dogs were coming onto your property that would be a whole different scene.

I like dogs. I have 2, but both are trained to behave around my chickens. I can build a higher fence but my concern is for these dogs. Before my neighbor lost her last lab in her divorce her lab would bark and howl, and dig at our fence for hours because it was bored and lonely. Now she has a new lab puppy, and her room mate has the pit bull/dalmation rescue. He just told me that the owner of the lab thinks she has to wait until the puppy is 6 months old before it's in a training class but she has neither the money or time to train him.

I think pet owners should consider the time and expense it takes to maintain happy, well socialized, healthy animals before they bring them into their home and also consider the effect a bored, unsupervised, untrained animal will have on surrounding neighbors.

  as a vet tech I concur!!  All you have to do is watch a few episodes of the dog whisperer and you will see the symptoms of these issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totalcolour 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyb 

. . .  BTW, how do you train a chicken?

 

okay, is this a serious question? Yes, okay then. You train them with treats and a clicker just like you do with a dog (you don't really need a clicker).

 

(Chickens learn very quickly, (not baby chicks) - I have 3 in isolation (awaiting pickup from their new owner) and they have learned how to flood their pens. They have automatic waterers that they have to press on to get water. I actually watched one of them hold down the little bar to make the water gush out, and then he laughed himself silly (REALLY) and then started doing at all over again. Then the others watching him, tried it for themselves. They all ended up having a water party. So now, I turn the water off and only turn it on for a bout 10 minutes while I watch to make sure they are drinking, not playing!)
 

 

         OMG!!!  Im LM*O!!!!!   That is hilarious!!!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyb 

OK, I think I misread what SadieSue wrote and I meant no disrespect to anyone.

CR you have a wonderful protective dog for your DW. That's just way too much for words.

Will this rain ever stop? Sheeesh, the weather forcast is for another week of this and I hate building in the rain but I don't think I'm going to have a choice unless I  want to convert part of my garage to a hen-house.

Hey mikeyb, no worries!  It's not always easy to interpret what someone has posted without the opportunity to see facial expressions, voice intonation, or have the opportunity to have questions answered immediately to clarify.  I took no offense.

And I agree - it's so discouraging to deal with rain like this day after day, especially when I have a mile list long of chores to take care of outside.  All chicken related chores I might add!  The things we do for our girls.

Good luck with the building of your hen house!

ETA: I also want to thank my WA BYC friends for trying to clear up the misunderstanding.  I know we love and care for ALL of our animals, chickens, dogs and other folks pets as well.  And thank you all for the great suggestions and input to my dilemma.  I'll have more questions later!  TIA

Ok I still don't know what I'm bringing to the Potluck??? I forgot where the posts are for it??

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettec63 

Ok I still don't know what I'm bringing to the Potluck??? I forgot where the posts are for it??

Hey Julie, here's the link -

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/630017/washington-feather-fanciers-pot-luck-sign-up-march-17th-2012