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

[alicexx]

@Teila

That is the cutest little egg ever!

 

[Anniebee]

Oh my, I can't believe they promoted/advised negative reinforcement techniques. How is an assistance dog supposed to build confidence necessary to do the job. Knowing you - that must have been difficult to hear.

You can say that again MyHaven it was very difficult ....

As mentioned before, I would not use negative reinforcement for her ( or for any dog ). So I opted out of that, although declined to discuss it with the co-ordinator - I simply avoided the subject, diverting to other matters at the time. However, I don't think I fooled her too much. She probably realised I was not going to 'crate' Sonya as a punishment, and who knows - that may have aided them to decide on Sonyas' ultimate designation - as not suitable for any category.

That sort of negative, is so frightening for a dog / pup - and cannot possibly help any dog to a proper confidence - especially if in the assistance area of life which Sonya was required to be in. You would recall our conversations about Miss Ruby - and her fear of peeing because of a micro-burst that happened in the back garden. She eventually got over it, and is perfect now - - - except when there is a howing wind. She has never forgotten. ... So I reassure her that I am with her, I stand very close by as she passes her water, reassuring her softly - to this day. I do that to make her feel comfortable and secure. Windless days are no problem at all.

But - - Sonya had problems from day 1, they were very evident - and I frankly never thought she would make an assistance dog, no matter what.

I think their rapid reinforcement techniques ( across the board ) was all dictated by the need they have to get these dogs into further programming to become what they aim for, asap. Assistance to the needy. I have no problem with their concept - which is totally admirable. ... It's the way they do it, and their expectations, that I took exception to.

It took them much more than a month to send a letter of thanks to us, for all we tried to do, after she had been returned. .... hmmm.

Cheers ~~~

 

[Anniebee]

Apologies folks - I know this is a chicken / chookies / duckies forum - but having had the recent experience of losing Sonya back to the programme she belonged to ... I hope I can be forgiven for getting off track and off topic.

I needed to vent a little - and took the opportunities as they presented themselves.

Will, in future, stick to the topic of chickens, even though I have only 3 of them myself.

Chookies are an endlessly fascinating subject and observance - I appreciate being here, and very much appreciate all the advice I have been given in the past, on this thread.

Cheers -

 

[LuckysMum]

Anniebee I think most of us have vented about something other than poultry, at one time or another. I like to think of everyone as sort of pen pals. Its good for us to be able to air problems and not be judged or made to feel bad. I find the people here are mostly supportive our mental health is important for our feathered friends wellbeing too.

I am down to 37 girls now.

I am rehoming some australorps and leghorns, possibly my sebrights then I want to keep the rest. I will have about 14 full size girls the rest are bantams or chicks. I'm not counting the smaller girls we'll just pretend

they are birds. I have gotten to close to them now and its getting harder to part with them. Lucky for me the rest are going to a friend so I can still visit them and she will let me know how they are.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[Fizzybelle]

LuckysMum, that's the way I figure too. A small chicken like a d'uccle doesn't count, barely a third of a full sized chook(their voice on the other hand, well mine anyway, isn't lacking in impact). Glad the rehoming is going well though and that you can visit some of them too.

 

[Anniebee]

Good morning folks

Tee hee mamabokbok ‘fairy egg’ definitely sounds better

We have had a couple of those over the years, but this one next to a grain of corn and a bantam egg is my favourite, so tiny!




alicexx love the pics and the bullhen

satay thinking of you today

I hope the travel and the CT goes well, I know how difficult it can be to sit in the car with a bad back and then have to lie perfectly still during the scan.

Fizzybelle yep, I am hoping for a storm free weekend. I probably should not be mowing the lawn so soon after my procedure but I am grabbing the opportunity while I can; a break from the heat and rain.

Anniebee they sell the rejects for how much? Gees Louise, they know how to charge! I do not blame you for not wanting to go through that experience again

Have you considered fostering? I think with your love and kindness you would be perfect in that role. Granted you would still have to give them up when they are found new forever homes but at least you and the foster would not have to go through the wringer that is the assistance programme and you would be giving a dog or puppy a second chance at a good life.

Teila ...

Yep - you probably shouldn't be mowing the lawn !!

- - but I can understand you grabbing an opportunity in that weird and horrid weather you've been having up there.

Re : fostering ... it did occur to us to consider that possibly next year, and tku for your kind comments. Not long after Sonya left, I developed gout and infection - and now inflammatory osteo-arthritis in the right foot big toe, with accompanying ankle problems ( rolling the foot 4 years back, losing entirely a ligament there, it has never really recovered - and the ankle also swells painfully in the same foot now ), all of which has me unable to walk properly, and moving very slowly now-a-days, using a cane. So - for the time being, any thought of a little one under-foot is unfortunately on the back burner. ... AND - according to the doctor, it is highly likely to remain this way for a very long time, if not forever. Nice ? - NOT.

Satay ... I do hope the CT scan you had yesterday, proves something positive in that you can begin some form of treatment for the pain you are having .... neuralgia / neuritis of any kind is really horrid.

MyHaven ... some pages back you mentioned you have inflammatory arthritis in most all of the joints affected, starting a couple of years back. I do empathise with you, absolutely. Cannot take anti-inflammatories myself, due to another medical condition, and the corticosteroids I was put on recently, shot my blood pressure up alarmingly - and dangerously, so I was taken off them immediately. I remain now on Panadeine Forte. Hope I don't have to have stronger in pain management. I have osteo in other joints too, which are painful / uncomfortable at times, but nothing like this recent lot.

Cheers .....

 

[Teila]

Good morning folks

Anniebee do not be sorry .. we are all friends here and if someone is going through something and needs our support it does not matter what it is, chookie related or not. We will always be here as an ear for a vent and to offer support where we can

Sorry to hear that you have been unwell and in pain and at the risk of being an enabler, your foster does not necessarily have to be a little one

LuckysMum congrats on finding homes for more of your featheries; it sounds like you are definitely getting down to more manageable numbers. What are you going to do with all your spare time lol

I survived the day in the garden and did not push myself. It was a good test in that I am pretty much back to normal and by the end of the day I was very pleased with the results. I usually potter a little or a lot each weekend and I was amazed by just how much it had got out of hand in a few weeks. Happy me, happy chookies, tidy garden:

 

[Teila]

This one I had to share! Blondie waiting to use the favourite nest box. She has been patiently perched for at least 15mins and apparently the other two boxes are invisible

I hope for her sake Cilla is laying and not broody

 

[Fizzybelle]

This one I had to share! Blondie waiting to use the favourite nest box. She has been patiently perched for at least 15mins and apparently the other two boxes are invisible

I hope for her sake Cilla is laying and not broody

You could have fifty boxes exactly the same and they'd still all want the same one. Seems to be a universal hen habit. Well, it is here, they all want the right hand side nest box in the big chicken coop. Ada my alpha will chuck a tanty if it's occupied, she'll whinge and whinge and whinge wanting me to wave my wand and make if available for her.

I'm in the process of breaking Esmé out of her broodiness, and Mum's had fun playing musical coops with the girls whilst I slept in lol. They're all playing in the backyard jungle, and those currently laying have laid, so all is finally well. Mum was glad to turn things over to me though when I got up, as Ezzie was a handful and had to go back to broody gaol for a while. To be honest, I was kind of glad I missed the fun

 

[sjturner79]