Arizona Chickens

[kevs-chickadees]

Marysong, are you breeding Marans currently?

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

HA, well ok that answers the question. I am not a fan of altering animals unless necisary so I would not be ok with de-crowing a bird.

I don't supose if I wanted chicks I could rent a roo or something?

LOL, that is an option. Hey, what a great small business idea!!! Bet no one has thought of that one.....Rent a Roo by the hour, day, week or month. LOL

Seriously, that is a great idea. Especially for those like you that live where they aren't allowed or don't want to deal with the breeding year round.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

FOXS FOWL FARM: the Pit Bull/American Bull dogs were in the Early 1900's and 1800's was often referred to as the Nanny Dog. More popular blood sport was the Jack Russell, Dash hound, and other tarriers breeds that are Vernon hunters killing rats. Rats were collected, trapped, and bread for the sport. In a confined ring/pin a specific number of rats were placed, they would then set their Jack Russell to kill them, time it. The dog that could kill XXX number of rats the fastest was the champ. I do not know when dog fighting took off again. I say again, because its popularity varied.

Also the German Shepherd has about 100# +/- stronger bit then the pit bull. The Pit Bull can lock and hold his bit longer. Also Stg. Stubby was the first dog used in the Army in WWI. He was given a field promotion to Stg.

The American bull dog is a cattle dog used in herding. They are often butt nippers. They can be trained not to nip butts.

As for little dogs, you are 100% right. They even think its cute the snarling and snapping. I do not agree. Put 75# on that little dog........... There are breads that are just plan vicious, but not to the one person they are loyal too. They are obscure breeds, do not recall their name. They were breed to guard and never used as a pet in their native country, were bears are among the hazards. The dog looks like a cross between a Husky, German Shepard, Akita, and a little mastiff for good measure. That is the only dog I have ever heard of that is dangerous as it is to date, to my knowledge. I heard about it because someone was trying to save the breed from extinction. He was finding it more then he could handle, and again, I am not sure, but I believe he gave up on it because of the danger and unruly ness. It was a dog that was no longer needed as it was breed for a job. If anyone knows anything about this story please PM me. I have lost the breeds name and wish to know what happened.

DECROWING A ROOSTER: I looked into it. It is very invasive. The doctor has to go deep into the lungs. I do not know what they have to do, but there are spots in the wind pipe and past were it splits into the lung itself that vibrate to creat the crow. There is a video on YouTub of a de crowed Rooster.

Thank you so much for that info. It warms my heart that someone else out there knows and researches this stuff. I didn't know the American bull dog was a cattle herder. That is fantastic. They are the right size. Fast too. All of my pits are fast as lightening. They are off like a bolt when they hear something on the other side of our block fence. They have chain link gates to see at opposite ends of the property. This is huge entertainment throughout the day. I am thankful my pits aren't herders.
My heeler herds my chicks, ducklings, ducks and horses. That's her job. I understand why people with smaller homes/property can't deal with them.

Uck...yeah, that's too much to go through...plus I read a post that the one someone did this to still crowed, just not as loud. Same as with a dog. There is still noise that emanates from vocal cord area. Oh, I don't know why someone would do this to an animal....individual circumstances, I get it.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

Sorry to be "that guy", but this is completely untrue and is how myths get propagated, by passing on untrue or exaggerated information. I have over a decade of experience working with Police K-9's, personal protection dogs, guard dogs, prison dogs, DEA, US Customs, tracking dogs etc. I have also bred some working line German Shepherds for serious personal protection, and competed in both Schutzhund and French Ring Sport with my own dogs. I worked with over 10 different local law enforcement agencies when I lived back east. Lets just say I have plenty of experience working with dogs trained to do damage to humans. Yes, I went to school for this! Anywho, I feel reasonably qualified to step into this convo and interject a few cold facts.

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is pretty much the world-wide standard for almost every type of law enforcement work you could think of. Lately though, the Belgian Malinois breed are becoming popular in this type of work too, but I digress. The GSD is exceedingly intelligent and easily trainable, and puts out just enough bite force to grab and hold a suspect, without causing too much tissue damage on the combatant. There is a VERY GOOD REASON why Pit Bulls are not used in this line of work, as their bite force is ridiculously high compared to a GSD. Rottweilers also put down too much bite force to be used for serious Police work. Their bite would be too much of a legal liability for the department, as it would fall under Police brutality and/or cruel and unusual punishment scenarios. I personally witnessed a Rottweiler owned by US Customs, break both a suspect's forearm bones in an apprehension, and the dog was immediately retired after that.

Most of the "bully breeds" have a large broad skull framed and topped by enormous, exaggerated muscles that contribute to the clamping force their jaws are capable of. Notice the GSD's skull is much more narrow and framed by much smaller jaw muscles, indicative of the amount of force they are capable of. No dog can truly "lock" its jaws, this is a myth. They simply bite and hold on. A well trained police quality K9 GSD will immediately release its jaws when given the command by its handler. This reaction is bred for and encouraged. A dog that will not reliably let go when told to do so, is a liability for the police department and would never be used on the street, nor would it graduate the K9 Police academy.

There is a device called a dynamometer, that we used to measure the bite force of the dogs we trained. As I remember it, a GSD was around 540 lbs of force. A pit bull can easily put FIVE TIMES as much clamping force in its jaws! I have seen 3200 lbs of force register on the dyno, from a Bandog, which is a hybrid of Neapolitan Mastiff and Pit Bull Terrier. That much clamping force is impossible to dislodge, which is what (erroneously) led people to believe that certain dog breeds can lock their jaws.

When a dog clamps its jaws down on something it was chasing, where their "prey drive" has kicked in, at the moment they catch their quarry, their body releases endorphins into their bloodstream. This is their "reward" for the hard work of chasing and apprehending their prey. Once a pit bull has clamped down, good luck trying to get them to let go of whatever it is they are biting! There are special tools called "Break Sticks" that are known to pit bull people for the unsavory job of prying the dogs jaws apart once they've set their teeth into something. I am in no way disparaging the pit bull breed, I am simply stating well known facts. Also, Pit Bulls were bred for hundreds of years for dog aggression, so it became instinctual behavior for them. It is very difficult to know ahead of time, what may set the dog off. They are cool dogs, dont get me wrong, but they are still an animal that is not 100% predictable.

BTW, I currently own two Bully breeds. I could tell you some stories.....

I think it's great that this thread is talking about so many different topics., this one included. This discussion is an important one, to me for sure. It seems others have things to add because it is important to them as well.
It's okay to be "that guy" as far as I am concerned. Yes I am new to this type of communication. I definitely don't want to step on anyones domain...I did state that my post was "my opinion". It was about what I have experienced. It is not from training or working with the breeds you speak of, for the purpose of police work, or our military, etc. I understand that these are trained dogs. They are necessary. But, they are chosen due to their size, intelligence and training capabilities. I would add, they are not going to use one of the small breeds that have the same traits and training capabilities. The breed that is needed for this job has to be intimidating and known for their capabilities.

Wow, I believe you have a lot to offer with your experiences. I believe it when you say you have stories. Boy, pet ownership is full of memories and "tails" to tell. I love to hear of others experiences.

Forum related: I am sure I am not the only one out there that had the memories of a "Killer Rooster" and was very hesitant to add one to their flock. That was just ONE bird that caused that feeling for me. But, other people offer knowledge or testimony to what they experienced, saw, heard from someone else, read, etc.....If at least one person educates themselves, from any information they come across in any type of forum, that is one more informed citizen. This is true for any discussion. That is what the is site is all about. Plus, you open your world to people with your own interests.

Yes, I get it with information that can be misconstrued and runs amok. That's what my post stated, which started this discussion. Misinformation. This has been MY experience since I have owned pit bulls. People see the breed or I tell them I own them. You can only imagine the looks they give me or what most say. It is very negative.... based on misconceptions and not informing themselves about the breed. They just take what the media has given them as their truth. That every dog of this breed is evil or vicious or a "killer". The families that endure the horrible, tragic situations that involve dog attacks, I feel so much empathy for these people. This happened to my child. I can only imagine what they are enduring if it took a life. My prayers and heartfelt pain go out to them.

To add, homeowners insurance won't even insure you for this breed. Nor will apartments and some rental properties.Do they with the other breeds that have been mentioned? I am asking because I don't know. I have only heard of this breed and chow chow being rejected. I am sure there are other breeds that aren't common that may fall into the reject category. I am referring to the most common breeds we hear of.

Too many citizens don't educate themselves and just go with the norm. By educate themselves, this can be taken either way. For or against.

IMO.....There is not ONE dog out there that is 100% predictable. You can never absolutely, 100% trust any breed of dog.

 

[maryhysong]

Marysong, are you breeding Marans currently?

I am working on it. I have been culling out the birds I bought as chicks last Dec, out of 22 chicks I will be keeping 2 pullets to breed from for the time being. I also recently obtained a very nice trio from desertmarcy. My intent is to do some test matings and grow the chicks out to at least 8-12 weeks. At that age I can make some good guesses as to which pairings I want to repeat and which birds will just go to the layer flock. At that point I may repeat the best breedings and have a few chicks for sale.

There are far too many people hatching and selling these birds with no thought of the SOP and what they should look like. It's a shame a lot of people get taken and find out their birds are full of DQs or are totally wrong. Similar to the situation of buying "Americana" at the feed store or hatchery and all you really have is an easter egger.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I am fond of black chickens. Because I wanted dark colored eggs, I do have two blue Marans hens and I really like their slate colored legs. Also, I like cross breeding to make EE/Nns with crests and beards and dark skin and legs. ha ha not the typical BYC
It is interesting to know and work for the SOC though if you are a serious breeder and sell your birds.

http://maransofamericaclub.com/

A birds plumage colour has nothing to do with egg colour. Not all black chickens lay dark eggs. For example, minorca are black and lay an egg as white as a leghorns. Also, leghorns do come in black. Black silkies, with black skin lay an ivory coloured egg, the same colour as is laid by any other variety of silkie.

 

[City farm]

Yes we do.. Don't know if you would like to drive here to Tempe?

When will you be available after Thursday? I will be there........ Would you like a rooster.......?

No thanks to to rooster.. Sorry I missed you.. Mom ok?

 

[City farm]

So there's great news and redneck news today for Thanksgiving. First, our home grown turkey looked great marinating in the brine this morning. I think it's going to turn out absolutely fabulous and succulent. The redneck news is that "Objects in roaster oven are larger than they appear!" The turkey was slightly too large for our 18-quart roaster oven, so my good ol' Dad went redneck on him. This is what happens when you make do with what you've got!

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I'll update you all once we get a taste of heaven. I may have to rethink our Christmas turkey now. Maybe my Dad's smoker is large enough... Maybe...

:: crossing fingers :: ​

 

[City farm]

Awesome thank you.. I could of called back. Once we read on your web site you had no turkeys we figured we would try you next year.

We need to make at least 3 excuses to come down there.. Turkeys, camping

Since Demo and his family NEED to make a trip to Marci's for turkey poults, and you want to visit and I want to visit Tucson, well how about a big camping round up in the early spring before the heat come back ?  I have a small camper and I just need to see that area at least once !

How about a chicken meet in late February or March Tuscon people ?

Sounds wonderful..

 

[City farm]

Are there any roosters that are not loud? I would like to get one but where I live they would need to be super quite.

Only in our dreams..