Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[LuckysMum]

She is very beautiful no matter what she is.

 

[Teila]

Thank you LuckysMum, yep I think she is beautiful but then I could be biased

So, next door but one is having a Garage Sale so I wandered up for a look see and who should I see on a lead, in their garage but Braxton! Remember the skinny border collie who was at my place a couple of weeks ago?

If you remember, the owner was overseas and the flat mate was looking after him? Obviously not very well because not only is he out wandering again but even skinnier than when he visited here.

Anyways, the neighbour has left messages for the owner and IF they do ring, is going to ask them if they want him? If not, my neighbour, who has already fallen in love with him, is going to keep him.

If the owner actually does want him, my neighbour is going to offer to take care of him until the owner gets back because the flat mate obviously is not. I have also offered to back them if they need to go down the neglect path.

It was wonderful to see him again and I do hope he stays with my neighbour because then I can see him often and also, as they are dog lovers and have one already, see him loved and taken care of properly.

Anyways, while I was there, look what I scored for $20! After chatting about Braxton, they said "why do you want a large dog crate, you do not have a dog?" .. ah, but I have chickens

 

[LuckysMum]

Thank you LuckysMum, yep I think she is beautiful but then I could be biased

So, next door but one is having a Garage Sale so I wandered up for a look see and who should I see on a lead, in their garage but Braxton! Remember the skinny border collie who was at my place a couple of weeks ago?

If you remember, the owner was overseas and the flat mate was looking after him? Obviously not very well because not only is he out wandering again but even skinnier than when he visited here.

Anyways, the neighbour has left messages for the owner and IF they do ring, is going to ask them if they want him? If not, my neighbour, who has already fallen in love with him, is going to keep him.

If the owner actually does want him, my neighbour is going to offer to take care of him until the owner gets back because the flat mate obviously is not. I have also offered to back them if they need to go down the neglect path.

It was wonderful to see him again and I do hope he stays with my neighbour because then I can see him often and also, as they are dog lovers and have one already, see him loved and taken care of properly.

Anyways, while I was there, look what I scored for $20! After chatting about Braxton, they said "why do you want a large dog crate, you do not have a dog?" .. ah, but I have chickens

Poor Braxton I hope your neighbour gets to keep him. I hate it when animals are neglected. They can't help themselves to food or water. Good score on the dog/chicken crate.

 

[Anniebee]

Thank you LuckysMum, yep I think she is beautiful but then I could be biased

So, next door but one is having a Garage Sale so I wandered up for a look see and who should I see on a lead, in their garage but Braxton! Remember the skinny border collie who was at my place a couple of weeks ago?

If you remember, the owner was overseas and the flat mate was looking after him? Obviously not very well because not only is he out wandering again but even skinnier than when he visited here.

Anyways, the neighbour has left messages for the owner and IF they do ring, is going to ask them if they want him? If not, my neighbour, who has already fallen in love with him, is going to keep him.

If the owner actually does want him, my neighbour is going to offer to take care of him until the owner gets back because the flat mate obviously is not. I have also offered to back them if they need to go down the neglect path.

It was wonderful to see him again and I do hope he stays with my neighbour because then I can see him often and also, as they are dog lovers and have one already, see him loved and taken care of properly.

Anyways, while I was there, look what I scored for $20! After chatting about Braxton, they said "why do you want a large dog crate, you do not have a dog?" .. ah, but I have chickens

Teila ....

Have had a thought or two. .... First I hope someone does get in touch with the owners of the Braxton, to have a few decisions and enquiries ( by them ) made, of the flat-mate. It may not be his / her fault.

Could be, that Braxton is fretting - badly. Searching the area for his owners, and not eating. Or maybe eating, and then regurgitating without re-eating it. A dog can also lose weight with increased exercise ( which he has obviously had recently ) and can lose weight simply because of stress and anxiety. I would go so far as to say 'separation anxiety' perhaps in this case.

I do so hope the neighbours who have a dog, can take him in for the remainder of his owners holiday. The other dog will divert Braxtons attentions onto other things ( providing they are introduced on leads, and seem to like one another ). And if neighbours' dog eats, it will promote a natural desire in Braxton to eat also ( hopefully ). There are veterinarian dispensed anti-anxiety medications that would help with anorexia, but that is up to the owners to give the go-ahead for treatment.

Otherwise, if you get within a bull's roar of Braxton, a nice smear of vegemite on his front leg might tempt him to eat. In any case, it would be interesting to see his reaction to that - if he is inclined to clean off the smear of yummy vegemite - or not. It is a good appetite boost, unless an animal is actually ill.

There are ways and means around it.

( btw - would you believe that a cat, who has been pronounced recovered, having such a tiny reduced stomach, and who therefore will not eat - when given a 1/4 ( or whatever dose ) Valium, will within 5 minutes or so, totally devour hungrily, a small meal - have seen it for myself, several times - administered by our Vet ). But that's for a cat - not a dog that I know of.

Good luck, and I hope something good comes of your excellent intentions towards Braxton.

Cheers ............

 

[Anniebee]

The vet phoned me.

My flock has infectious coryza (bacterial) and infectious bronchitis (virus). For those that don't know, this means they are most likely now carriers and can make others sick. You can't tell by looking at them and they may relapse. I can't morally let any of them leave the property.

I was so hoping they'd be ok.

I have to give them a course of different antibiotics. So I will not prolong my decision to cull those that have to go. I will try to keep as many as possible but I'm only allowed 20 and I have twice that plus. Some of them were sold or given away and I was just holding on to them until it suited for them to go and then the illness hit. Thankfully I hadn't let any go just before they showed signs. All the roos have to go.

I have 9 brahmas that were in the brooder and 3 silkies who were in quarantine before the illness struck who have not come into contact with the other birds but may have been subject to the infection in the air on the wind. Unlikely because of physical barriers but I wouldn't know for sure. I can build a separate run and enclosure with physical barrier to protect them from the airborne pathogen. That's another task.

Does anyone know what effect it has long term on egg quality. I understand production does not return to the same level. But are the eggs ever ok?

Feeding up this morning was terrible - with the thought of who will go and who will stay. I am trying to be stoic. We know when we have chickens we sometimes get losses and have to make tough decisions with roos.

MyHaven .........

That is just terrible news. I so feel for you, for the losses you face, for the worry you are dealing with . ..... Fancys' links contain a heap of helpful information .... found them very interesting.


I think the new task - building another run and coop is an excellent idea, as far away as possible from the current coops / runs. The following link promotes natural remedies and preventions .... also an interesting read. http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/10/handling-contagious-illness-in-your.html .... if you are inclined along those paths as well.

From the link mentioned by Fancy, it would appear that replacements can ultimately be placed on 'the same farm', from clean stock. So I am presuming it does not live in dirt, leaves etc. But in cleaning thoroughly all your areas for your chickens, especially for the hens you keep - I think I would also shovel the entire top part of the run right off, get rid of it, and perhaps spread new dirt from some other way off area of your property, or purchased dirt, over the freshly exposed ground. Just to be on the safe side.

But your Vet knows much more about management of it all than I do ...

From what I have read - the only with-holding period is while medications are being administered, and I would with-hold them for a couple of weeks after the end of treatment ( which I think is usual anyway ). But then, they are not likely to be laying too much at this time.

My heart goes out to you, with this awful problem - but it can be managed. Take heart from that.

Cheers ....

 

[Teila]

Hey Anniebee, thank you so very much for your thoughts and advice which has definitely been taken on board.

Brax is a beautiful, friendly little fella who could be fretting on the inside, but is definitely not showing it on the outside. He loves cuddles and seemed happy enough to stay at our place, as he seemed happy enough to stay at the neighbour’s today. He is not stressing out or fretting, looking to get away and keep searching etc .. he is quite content to cuddle and curl up and sleep.

When he arrived here he was starved and all we had was cat food, which he wolfed down … knowing that too much too soon could make him sick, I staggered meals for him throughout the day.

My neighbour, having dog food on hand, also mentioned that he was starving hungry and ate the dog food without a problem.

I did not see regurgitation when he was here and the neighbour did not mention it.

At the risk of making a judgement call here and happy to admit if/when I am wrong .. I really do think that Brax is just not being cared for correctly.

Also, when Brax was here, I posted ads on Facebook’s QLD Lost Pet Register, Gumtree, RSPCA and rang Council and all the local Vet’s .. he was not reported as missing and no response to my attempts, so I wonder if anyone was actually looking for him.

If it was me, I would be beside myself with stress and doing all I could to find him, including all of the above.

He arrived here early in the morning and was not picked up from the vet until after numerous phone messages and two days later. Understandably the overseas owner may not have checked their phone, but as there was no response to all of the above, I do not think the flat mate missed him for the two days until the owner called and asked them to go to the Vet and collect him

When we moved from Bundaberg to Brisbane, as I still had work commitments in Bundaberg, Charlie-Bear had to spend a week in Brisbane with her Dad but without me. She was never one to wander. Anyways, hubby noticed that she was missing but luckily not for long .. she was walking up the road, totally ignoring his calls and intent on finding her Mum .. he had to pick her up and carry her home and yes, she was sulking and fussy with her food until we were reunited.

All of which Brax is not appearing to imitate.

Anyways, the neighbours will hopefully be able to speak to the owner and get to the bottom of it all. Either way, Brax should have a happy ending in that he will be well cared for at the neighbours until his owner returns or his owner says the neighbours can keep him.

They have promised to let me know so, of course, I will let you know

 

[Anniebee]

Hey Anniebee, thank you so very much for your thoughts and advice which has definitely been taken on board.

Brax is a beautiful, friendly little fella who could be fretting on the inside, but is definitely not showing it on the outside. He loves cuddles and seemed happy enough to stay at our place, as he seemed happy enough to stay at the neighbour’s today. He is not stressing out or fretting, looking to get away and keep searching etc .. he is quite content to cuddle and curl up and sleep.

When he arrived here he was starved and all we had was cat food, which he wolfed down … knowing that too much too soon could make him sick, I staggered meals for him throughout the day.

My neighbour, having dog food on hand, also mentioned that he was starving hungry and ate the dog food without a problem.

I did not see regurgitation when he was here and the neighbour did not mention it.

At the risk of making a judgement call here and happy to admit if/when I am wrong .. I really do think that Brax is just not being cared for correctly.

Also, when Brax was here, I posted ads on Facebook’s QLD Lost Pet Register, Gumtree, RSPCA and rang Council and all the local Vet’s .. he was not reported as missing and no response to my attempts, so I wonder if anyone was actually looking for him.

If it was me, I would be beside myself with stress and doing all I could to find him, including all of the above.

He arrived here early in the morning and was not picked up from the vet until after numerous phone messages and two days later. Understandably the overseas owner may not have checked their phone, but as there was no response to all of the above, I do not think the flat mate missed him for the two days until the owner called and asked them to go to the Vet and collect him

When we moved from Bundaberg to Brisbane, as I still had work commitments in Bundaberg, Charlie-Bear had to spend a week in Brisbane with her Dad but without me. She was never one to wander. Anyways, hubby noticed that she was missing but luckily not for long .. she was walking up the road, totally ignoring his calls and intent on finding her Mum .. he had to pick her up and carry her home and yes, she was sulking and fussy with her food until we were reunited.

All of which Brax is not appearing to imitate.

Anyways, the neighbours will hopefully be able to speak to the owner and get to the bottom of it all. Either way, Brax should have a happy ending in that he will be well cared for at the neighbours until his owner returns or his owner says the neighbours can keep him.

They have promised to let me know so, of course, I will let you know

Teila ..... they are really great signs that Brax is more relaxed than I thought he might be. ....

And it throws the light right back on the 'flat-mate' who is supposed to be taking care of him. .... Some people just don't give a dam-n, do they.

They can sulk when fretting, but also wear it 'inside' as you said. I cannot recall exactly, but think you said he was a border collie ? They are highly intelligent dogs, and are in need of good companionship, care and affection - and plenty of exercise.

Good on you that you have taken these steps to help with his problems. ...... and Good luck with the rest of it - until the owners return.

Hope the neighbour can keep him forever ( or maybe you ?

).

Cheers .........

 

[Teila]

Anniebee yeah, I can honestly say, in the experience I have had with dogs, which I used to breed and show, Brax is relaxed. He was happily wagging his tail and leaning on the neighbour, you know, as dogs do, with a sparkle in his eye.

Sadly, I agree that this is probably a case of not giving a **** but I will let you know if I am wrong.

He is a Lemon Border Collie and I would so love to keep him, but the chickens, cats and Landlord would not share my sentiment and if he is not going back to his owner [eventually] I do not think the neighbours would give him up now

Anyways, stayed tuned, I do not think we have heard the last of this tale

 

[Fizzybelle]

Well someone has lost their baby cheep cheep, and is starting to sound more grown up now. Mabel's around 3 months now (wow that's gone quick) and settled in easily. She has to be the friendliest, cuddliest little Araucana ever. So lucky and glad to have her.

 

[SilkieChickStar]

Well one of the Faverolles chicks I was eyeing off is starting to look like it's a boy lol. So I'm still getting the girl, but somehow will also be picking up a bantam Araucana and also a Pekin.

I must say that chicken Maths has really struck big time around here lol.