Arizona Chickens

[carnivore]

Interestingly enough, I went in the Navy to get OUT of aircraft. Took a job as Machinist Mate (big mistake)! Since I got out, I've worked as draftsman, proofreader, and construction grunt. I always come back to aircraft, civil or military, because it's easy and pays well.
Actually, it's why I moved from Paradise Valley to Tucson, many more aircraft jobs down here.

 

[City farm]

Well, I lost 16 of 17 chicks this afternoon to my dog. (He is wearing a dead chicken around his neck as we speak). They kept flying out of the brooder pen, so I decided that it was time for them to check out their new run, even though it wasn't finished. I put some of that green plastic poultry netting over the unfinished gate to keep them inside, but it was not enough to keep the dog out.
While gathering and counting the bodies, I came up one short. I finally found the lone survivor hiding under an ice chest and brought her back inside. She is pretty thoroughly traumatized. I brought over a chair and sat next to the brooder and stroked her a bit to calm her down. She then flew out of the brooder and landed in my lap. She sat there for a few, then climbed up my arm and perched on my shoulder, nuzzled under my neck, then moved to my other shoulder. I almost couldn't bear putting her back in the box. Really rough losing 16 chicks so that 1 starts feeling comfy with you, but it is what it is. I immediately ordered more chicks and specified shipping ASAP so she has some company. She is already 2 1/2 weeks old, so she will be the boss lady with the new chicks, which should get here Wednesday. I hope she accepts them without being too hard on them.

Condolences from us..

 

[City farm]

Oh no. I'm very sorry. I have a chick killing puppy in recovery and have made a lot of progress. Maybe you should document it with pics because ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. It could be made into a learning source for those considering this method. I know there isn't much to do pics wise but possibly you could describe the dogs behavior changes and what you're experiencing. I hope I haven't offended.

Well, I really don't know what to do. He has always been sensitive to my moods and obedient. Usually, when I tell him "NO", that is enough. I've heard that to break a dog from killing chickens, you tie a dead chicken around his neck, and make him wear it for a few days, he will then avoid chickens like the plague. I want to keep the dog, but I want to keep chickens, too, and preferably let them free range in the yard. So, if anybody has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

I do not think you will ever really trust the dog.. We put our dog that we believe would like to eat a chicken for dinner into her kennel when the chickens are out.. However I am still out with them.. Hawks are still roaming the sky..

 

[City farm]

A lot of people look on C. List, because rescues can be mighty expensive. ( And have crazy rules.) I got my last dog- a Beautiful purebred G. Shepherd off Craig's list-although I did have to drive a few hours to accomplish that.  Also my last 2 mares & the donkey were found on C. list.  I drove 10 hours to get 1 mare & donkey, & a month or so later over 2 hours to get the younger mare. The prices were reasonable and they will not be for sale-they ALL have Permanent Homes!  I have no problem looking on C. List to get a start on my flock-when the time comes.

I am sure a few of us have extra hens we could part with..

 

[carnivore]

I do not think you will ever really trust the dog.. We put our dog that we believe would like to eat a chicken for dinner into her kennel when the chickens are out.. However I am still out with them.. Hawks are still roaming the sky..

You're right, I sure don't trust him now! With that said, let me introduce Jenny (aka The Lone Survivor) to you all. Over the last few days she has become quite attached to me. I'm her alpha roo....When I approach the brooder, she comes over, cocks her head to eyeball me, and waits for me to pick her up. The new brooder is too tall for her to fly out, so she has to wait... This is Jenny. She likes to sit on my shoulder and preen my beard and eyebrows. She frequently craps on me too, but I'm ignoring that. She's had a rough week. This is Jenny playing nice with her new friends (3 Buff Orpingtons and a Barred Rock). I tried to get a pic of them all sleeping in a ball, but they always hear me coming. I had already forgotten the "face plant" sleeping method of the baby chicks.

 

[Macboat]

It depends a lot on how much you want to spend. I did not want to spend a lot in case it was a total disaster. So I bought a Farm innovators incubator off Amazon. I got the one with no fan or turner. I put 3 dozen eggs in and got 31 chicks so I'd say it worked great! Especially for the price. It kept temp well. I heard LG incubators have a problem with that.

nice! How often did you turn them?

 

[Joplus]

nice! How often did you turn them?

3 times a day. Also I put flat stones under the mesh to keep it warm when it was opened. I also read a ton of stuff and asked a million questions in the incubating and hatching forum. Good luck

 

[chicksurreal]

Condolences from us..

X2

 

[Sill]

Well, I really don't know what to do. He has always been sensitive to my moods and obedient. Usually, when I tell him "NO", that is enough. I've heard that to break a dog from killing chickens, you tie a dead chicken around his neck, and make him wear it for a few days, he will then avoid chickens like the plague. I want to keep the dog, but I want to keep chickens, too, and preferably let them free range in the yard. So, if anybody has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

Sorry about the loss of your chicks. Glad Jenny got some new sisters.

I have five terriers that hunt. No way will I ever trust them around a small critter. My chickens and quail are kept away from the dogs. Even so I lost a quail last week when I was changing out dirty bowls for clean ones and a roo walked right over my arm and onto the ground. He was dead in maybe 3 seconds when my biggest terrier snapped him up and shook him.

At least it was a roo not a hen. Lesson learned? Do not service quail cages with the dogs out...ever.

 

[carnivore]

any suggestions for brand of incubator? I hear a lot of people have trouble during the last 48 hrs. any ideas I would love to hear them. 

The best incubators are Cochins!