Arizona Chickens

[Beckyhsinglsc]

I'm so sorry about your chicks.

I was very worried that was going to happen here but I was inspired by the picture with the baby and chickens and the schnauzer in the background. I've been letting my dogs out with my chickens over the last few days.
By the way my schnauzers acted I didn't think there was any way they would be OK around the chickens but after a few corrections everyone mingles happily.
One dog hates the hose, she was easy... one squirt. The other one is very alpha aware and only needed one "smashing".
I still won't let them out without being with them, though.

 

[cap1717]

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That was a good episode. The basic theory is "you are the boss" "the chooks belong to you", and the dog had better not challenge you for them. Just basic pack dominance behavior. . . .
I have worked with a lot of dogs, and some were a real challenge, but I have never had one challenge me for dominance in the household. . . .well, actually I did, once. . . it only took once. . . .she never did that again.

 

[redrocketrooster]

Heelers&Chickens_OhMy :

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HA! My parents adopted a dog that is the same way. You are not alone. Try and reward your puppy for being calm around the chickens so that you don't create extra anxiety/frustration when you pen her up in the laundry room. When she sits quietly and and lays down, reward her with a treat or toy. Try to redirect her away from the chickens, as it will only get worse as she gets older.

I call them puppies but they are already 2 years old. I am working on it with her but she really becomes stressed over the chickens. She spends the rest of the day going bonkers if she knows I went out to see them. It saves a lot of daily stress to have her in the laundry not knowing I am with them and just to let her sleep or eat a pig ear.

EDIT: I wanted to say that normally she is a good dog and doesn't challenge anything I say or do.
I have ferrets and while she wants at them she doesn't act on it. But the chickas on the other hand she goes crazy for. Maybe she is a bird dog at heart?​

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Laree - I'm so sorry your dog got some of your chicks. We lost some chickens a few years ago to a new dog and it was heartbreaking. We came home from a horsebacking riding lesson and found all 7 of our 5-6 month pullets dead - killed by the new small breed dog. My two young daughters just bawled. We don't have that dog anymore (it was also allergic to our grass, so we rehomed it to someone with a rock backyard). I'm so thankful the dogs we do have are buddies with the chickens.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

I've never wormed my chickens before - I'm not seeing any worms, but my hens seem thinner than I think they should be. What do you all use to work your chickens? Do you buy it locally? How often?


Both my broodys, an Ameraucana and a barnevelder, have been given chicks to raise and are actually raising them together even though the chicks are weeks apart in age. It's very sweet to watch the two hens with their 12 chicks. But..... Now I have a 3rd broody! My other barnevelder is determined to hatch a golfball. I really don't need anymore chicks - what's with the hormonal hens at my place!

 

[Enjaytoo]

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I use Ivermectin. I worm early spring and late fall, pheasants and chooks,"needed" or not. Those sparrows and other wild birds can always introduce parasites into your flock.

 

[redrocketrooster]

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I use Ivermectin. I worm early spring and late fall, pheasants and chooks,"needed" or not. Those sparrows and other wild birds can always introduce parasites into your flock.

What dosage do you use?

I've used it one ferrets, rats and cats but never birds.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

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I use Ivermectin. I worm early spring and late fall, pheasants and chooks,"needed" or not. Those sparrows and other wild birds can always introduce parasites into your flock.

Yes, what dosage you you give chickens? Do you just buy the ivermectin tube from a feedstore (the one for horses)?

 

[Enjaytoo]

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I use Ivermectin. I worm early spring and late fall, pheasants and chooks,"needed" or not. Those sparrows and other wild birds can always introduce parasites into your flock.

Yes, what dosage you you give chickens? Do you just buy the ivermectin tube from a feedstore (the one for horses)?

I had found myself with quite a few unopened dewormers after I had to sell all my horses. So, with the 1.87 Ivermectin, I dissolve (which would equate to about an inch) of the paste in a pint of warm water overnight, then put in the gallon waterers (adding water) and have that be their only water source for 3-4 days. I repeat in about 10 days, give or take. I also have used the paste for a hen that came with a mite problem, pea sized amount under the wings and on the base of the neck. Worked great, and the hen was happy being bug-free

Granted, its a little more difficult with the paste since they are not water soluble, and I fully intend to buy the Ivermectin in a water soluble base at some point. But waste-not want-not I figured and I needed to find a use for my pastes.

Withdrawl time...not so sure. Never worried about that part of it...by the time it passed to the egg I cant imagine its that much to be concerned about but to each their own on that one

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

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I've never had the problem but I've heard DE in the food works well.