Recent content by alessadry

First of all, it's important determining if the dog was really in heat, at the right most fertile time, and if the dog really bred. Then, there are several options to stop the pregnancy, however, not all of them are available and some may not be too effective or there are risks for side effects...

My dog stopped doing this, but yesterday, he started again. He's getting older so thought to look what it may mean. In the past may dogs did this when there's anticipation or when they are a bit stressed about something. Apparently though, there are other reasons why dogs may chatter their...

Yeah, we have been considering it. Well, things got a lot better ever since I gave the super alarmed rooster away. I think he negatively influenced all with his alarm noises (like a chicken making an egg). Now, it's been a couple of months he has been away and they are starting to calm down. It...

I have 11 now. I had chickens before and I even managed to clicker train them. They had a recall much better than my dogs and were even able to play a small battery operated piano on cue in exchange for treats. I could mow the lawn, run with my dogs around them and they cared less. It was great...

Thanks. It helps thinking that at least two are safe. It seems to me chickens are easy to catch at night when you are only dealing with one. You catch that one by surprise, it might scream a bit but then you're done with it. Problems start when you have more than one and they go in panic mode.

I wished it was that easy. The gate the chicks escaped from is small, if all the chickens managed to get out I expect them to go in panic mode and go back and forth around the 1 acre fenced area trying to get back in. I know because inside the fenced area is another fenced area and some chickens...

Arggh, I was able to lure a chick through the small gap. It took some effort as he squeezed through but voila' he was inside! Next, what does the chick do? Panics because the other chicks are left behind and goes back out through the gap with zero effort! Not only, now there are 3 chicks...

Shiftyshichkens that's a very interesting idea, thanks! I think I will give it a try. I might need hubby's help when he comes home from work as the ground here is very hard here (desert caliche).

Thanks, I was thinking of that, but we have free-range chickens and therefore opening the gate could mean ALL the chickens escaping, which may end up into a much bigger problem! Also, my chickens are wary of the gate because we often get deliveries so they avoid that area as much as possible. I...

So last night, I heard chicks (I think they are about 12-14 weeks old, they are fully feathered) crying for no reason. I see them near my fence only to notice they are outside the fence! I am not sure how in the world they got out, there are only two very small spaces in between one gate post...

That's a great idea about the evening egg removal, I will give it a try, thanks!

True, the well bred ones should be large, but it seems like the hatchery ones don't meet the standard sizes. Most my hens so far are quite big as the average chickens. Most roosters I have had were very big though.

Thanks, my mother hens are nice and plump and it is amazing how strong and healthy the chicks are (no sticky butts or itchy fits from the lights drying out their skin) compared to being under a heat lamp all day. Mother hen teaches them important life lessons chicks raised in a brooder miss out...

Thanks, it's so confusing that many hatcheries and websites say that Jersey's are not prone to being broody. It always seems like these days you can never rely on anything anymore. https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Jersey-Giant-B57.aspx

OK, before pointing fingers and labeling me as irresponsible and engaging in poor flock management, please note that I have screened carefully the person who has brought several of my hens and the extra rooster my hatchery gave by mistake, and I have made sure they are free range and as close...