Sounds like Murphy's Law is working against both of you in opposite ways. Sorry about your garden, Okjenyp, it's amazing how quickly chickens can tear it up.
Danz, hopefully your chickens find their way through the gate eventually.
Consolidated Kansas
- Thread starter ChooksChick
- Start date
Sounds like Murphy's Law is working against both of you in opposite ways. Sorry about your garden, Okjenyp, it's amazing how quickly chickens can tear it up.
Danz, hopefully your chickens find their way through the gate eventually.
Chickens are really destructive. I used to have beautiful flower beds, not any more, all I can grow now are what they won't eat. I have found that they don't like mints, so there is a catmint that grows in clumps instead of spreading & it flowers lavender flowers all summer so I have a lot of that around. Lambs ears also aren't bothered & Vinca vines so far I have found are thing they won't eat as well as usually stronger herbs like lavender. Of course if they get a chance while digging & something doesn't have good roots they will still dig it out even if they don't eat it. I have to anchor plants down in pots with rocks & even then they sometimes manage to dig them out. Last year I got huge tomato plants going & was just starting to get tomatoes on them when my goats decided those plants looked pretty yummy. They were in tomato cages, big ones, but they just knocked them over & ate the plants down to twigs, so much for having tomatoes. I'll be glad when the darned fence gets done out in the field so they can go out there & not get up in the yard. But it's going very, very slow getting the fence project going. Corner posts are the current project & that will take forever at the rate it's going. Bah I wish I had a hired hand, yeah like I can afford that.
Last edited:
My big puppy (now 16 months old) has started patrolling the yard.
A little background. I got red at 8 months as a neglected, untrained 37 lb. puppy. He gained 15 lbs in 2 months and now is at 60 lbs (and not at all fat). I have been monitoring his interactions with the chickens for a couple of months. At first he only went out with me on his leash, then we moved up to a shock collar (vibrate only) and supervised from inside constantly. Finally he has been allowed out (supervised) with no shock collar for several weeks. I trust him enough that I'm only checking on him intermittently, but the side gate is always closed so that I know for sure when he is out.
On Tuesday we had an adolescent skunk come into the yard early in the day (about 6:30 or 7). He was really interested and strolled over to introduce himself. He was sniffing the skunks backside when I noticed what was going on. I called him (like we do in obedience, "Red, COME." and miracle of miracles, he came running as did the doxy that was out with him. We got in the house and closed down the dog doors and watched the skunk. When it tried to get in the chicken run, I banged on a pan until it sauntered over and slunk out under the side gate. It hasn't been back (to my knowledge), but the patio (where it was) has the faint odor of skunk still hanging in the air. NO ONE got sprayed.
Since then Red has been insistent that he be outside with the chickens. Yesterday, I lost track of him (doing laundry), and when I checked, this is where he was:
My rooster is just behind and to his right (as I faced him), and one of last year's hatch (Raven) is back by the grow out coop. The others were calmly doing their chicken things in the yard. I watched, and he would get up and stroll around the perimeter of the yard, check the run, check the little gardens, and then lay down somewhere else.
Those of you with guardian dogs, is this the behavior you see with your dogs? It feels like he is protecting them. (Or is he just perusing the buffet?)
A little background. I got red at 8 months as a neglected, untrained 37 lb. puppy. He gained 15 lbs in 2 months and now is at 60 lbs (and not at all fat). I have been monitoring his interactions with the chickens for a couple of months. At first he only went out with me on his leash, then we moved up to a shock collar (vibrate only) and supervised from inside constantly. Finally he has been allowed out (supervised) with no shock collar for several weeks. I trust him enough that I'm only checking on him intermittently, but the side gate is always closed so that I know for sure when he is out.
On Tuesday we had an adolescent skunk come into the yard early in the day (about 6:30 or 7). He was really interested and strolled over to introduce himself. He was sniffing the skunks backside when I noticed what was going on. I called him (like we do in obedience, "Red, COME." and miracle of miracles, he came running as did the doxy that was out with him. We got in the house and closed down the dog doors and watched the skunk. When it tried to get in the chicken run, I banged on a pan until it sauntered over and slunk out under the side gate. It hasn't been back (to my knowledge), but the patio (where it was) has the faint odor of skunk still hanging in the air. NO ONE got sprayed.
Since then Red has been insistent that he be outside with the chickens. Yesterday, I lost track of him (doing laundry), and when I checked, this is where he was:
My rooster is just behind and to his right (as I faced him), and one of last year's hatch (Raven) is back by the grow out coop. The others were calmly doing their chicken things in the yard. I watched, and he would get up and stroll around the perimeter of the yard, check the run, check the little gardens, and then lay down somewhere else.
Those of you with guardian dogs, is this the behavior you see with your dogs? It feels like he is protecting them. (Or is he just perusing the buffet?)
Last edited:
Sharol that is protection behavior. The fact that he can lay there with them and not be tempted is perfect. I see the rooster has no fear of him either. If the rooster sensed a danger her wouldn't be so close. Also he is at the age he should just be reaching full maturity so he should be over that puppy want to play all the time stage. You've done a great job with him.
I hatched another 14 guinea keets yesterday, a few turkey poults, a few chicks, and 3 peachicks. I am trying to get the second incubator empty but meanwhile my pile of eggs I still want to hatch is growing on the counter. I am going to have to get them set soon or they will be wasted. I tried giving one of the broody mamas a couple chicks that had hatched a few days earlier but they had already become independent enough they didn't want to stay with the hen. She pecked at them but then seemed to accept them. The chicks were the ones that failed to cooperate. This hen only had two chicks so I was really hoping this would work out.
I put up another pen and am trying to rework a shelter so it's usable. I need to move my Breda fowl to bigger quarters so they have more room. I've been constantly moving birds here and there and my grow out pens are way over crowded. I hate this stage where you can't tell boys from girls or good from less than good quality. I wanted to increase some of my breeding stock in certain colors but I am totally overrun. Someday maybe I'll get organized enough to know what to sell.
I hatched another 14 guinea keets yesterday, a few turkey poults, a few chicks, and 3 peachicks. I am trying to get the second incubator empty but meanwhile my pile of eggs I still want to hatch is growing on the counter. I am going to have to get them set soon or they will be wasted. I tried giving one of the broody mamas a couple chicks that had hatched a few days earlier but they had already become independent enough they didn't want to stay with the hen. She pecked at them but then seemed to accept them. The chicks were the ones that failed to cooperate. This hen only had two chicks so I was really hoping this would work out.
I put up another pen and am trying to rework a shelter so it's usable. I need to move my Breda fowl to bigger quarters so they have more room. I've been constantly moving birds here and there and my grow out pens are way over crowded. I hate this stage where you can't tell boys from girls or good from less than good quality. I wanted to increase some of my breeding stock in certain colors but I am totally overrun. Someday maybe I'll get organized enough to know what to sell.
Sharol, I agree with danz your dog is "protecting" his territory & everything in it. You really have done wonders with that dog, you should be proud.
My GPs are absolutely going to hate this day, they hate loud noises like guns & fireweorks & will be hiding all day. I plan to shut them in the garage this evening so they don't freak out so much. Last year the neighbors did fireworks & Jasmine ran off. She ended up down at the end house on their deck trying to get away from the sound, she was just petrified. I didn't know where she had gone until my neighbor called me & asked if I was missing a dog. By the time I got down there she had left there & had circled back. It probably will be even worse this year because the neighbors in the trailer next door to the west will probably have things going on if they're home & all 6 kids are there. The kids don't live there but come on weekends & in the summer. Even though we have 10 acres the sound of the fireworks echoes with this hill behind us. It's like having an amphitheater right behind your house so all of the sound down the hill from us is just intensified.
Everyone have a great 4th of July, be safe & have fun! We live in a great country & are so lucky to have our freedom!
My GPs are absolutely going to hate this day, they hate loud noises like guns & fireweorks & will be hiding all day. I plan to shut them in the garage this evening so they don't freak out so much. Last year the neighbors did fireworks & Jasmine ran off. She ended up down at the end house on their deck trying to get away from the sound, she was just petrified. I didn't know where she had gone until my neighbor called me & asked if I was missing a dog. By the time I got down there she had left there & had circled back. It probably will be even worse this year because the neighbors in the trailer next door to the west will probably have things going on if they're home & all 6 kids are there. The kids don't live there but come on weekends & in the summer. Even though we have 10 acres the sound of the fireworks echoes with this hill behind us. It's like having an amphitheater right behind your house so all of the sound down the hill from us is just intensified.
Everyone have a great 4th of July, be safe & have fun! We live in a great country & are so lucky to have our freedom!
There is so much I haven't done with him. He still jumps up on people for the first few minutes when they come, he still mouths their hands (drives me crazy -- dont' know how to break him). Still won't stay on command if there are any distractions.Sharol, I agree with danz your dog is "protecting" his territory & everything in it. You really have done wonders with that dog, you should be proud.
He heels beautifully, sits and downs on command, comes when called (even if there is a skunk, bless him), is completely housebroken even when his housemate is having urinary problems and peeing in the house, doesn't beg at the table, kennels up on command EVERY TIME even if there is a stranger at the door. It is always good to put the positives in writing just to remind myself how far he has come.
I just haven't spent the time it will take to finish up obedience. I'm so grateful he isn't predatory with the chickens. Again, I can't take much credit for genetics, though.
I am so glad I don't have any neighbors close and the ones that are within a half mile are older and won't be doing fire works. I've really not bee a fan of fireworks since I was really young. I like the professional ones but hate those with the loud booms. If they just did the pretty things and didn't do the noise I could stand it. We have a bunch of old fireworks we should really shoot off. I have no idea why we have kept them this long.
I spent my day rebuilding an old house. I made a platform for it so it is now raised. Before it sat on the ground on a 2X4 framework. The front was completely open. So I closed in the center of it except about a 3 1/2" opening across the top. I put some plywood in on each side of the middle section which left the door openings on each side. I only made one door that closed that is on the West side of the coop. I can close it when it gets cold and they'll still have the other doorway to go in and out. I cut a piece of metal roof edging and then bent it so it goes over the 3 1/2 " opening but doesn't block it. It will simply keep the rain and stuff from being able to blow in. That way there will be continuous venting at the highest part of the coop.
When I got done, I caught and moved all my Breda fowl to the new pen. I had to get in the pen on my hands and knees to catch them and the rocks or whatever really cut up my knees. After that I caught a few young cockerels that I don't want to use and put them in the rooster pen. Then I caught all the chocolate Orpingtons and put them in the old Breda pen. They can stay there until I sell them. I got three eggs from them today.
So it was another hard working day. So much for holidays.
I spent my day rebuilding an old house. I made a platform for it so it is now raised. Before it sat on the ground on a 2X4 framework. The front was completely open. So I closed in the center of it except about a 3 1/2" opening across the top. I put some plywood in on each side of the middle section which left the door openings on each side. I only made one door that closed that is on the West side of the coop. I can close it when it gets cold and they'll still have the other doorway to go in and out. I cut a piece of metal roof edging and then bent it so it goes over the 3 1/2 " opening but doesn't block it. It will simply keep the rain and stuff from being able to blow in. That way there will be continuous venting at the highest part of the coop.
When I got done, I caught and moved all my Breda fowl to the new pen. I had to get in the pen on my hands and knees to catch them and the rocks or whatever really cut up my knees. After that I caught a few young cockerels that I don't want to use and put them in the rooster pen. Then I caught all the chocolate Orpingtons and put them in the old Breda pen. They can stay there until I sell them. I got three eggs from them today.
So it was another hard working day. So much for holidays.
Well the GPs made it through the day yesterday. Jasmine was a nervous wreck all day & night & today she is resting finally. We went to watch the fireworks in town last night & came home & both were still here, so at least they didn't run off this year. I don't think the neighbors did nightime fireworks this time, so that was better for the dogs. The grandkids were popping firecrackers all day though at my one neighbor's place & a couple of others nearby.
I don't know how you keep going like you do danz, you make me tired just reading about it. I worked some on my chicken tractor yesterday but ran into a snag when I couldn't find my hinges for the door. We bought some more last night in case they don't show up so I hope to get them on today some time. It was just another day pretty much for us too danz, we grilled some chicken & sausages on the grill but that was the extent of our celebration other than watching the fireworks at the fairgrounds last night. I took some pics with my new phone, I'm having fun with it so here are a few I took last night of the fireworks.
This turned out to look like a heart in the background & I liked the color.
Spaceship
Flower
The light in the upper right is from the darned street light in front of us.
I don't know how you keep going like you do danz, you make me tired just reading about it. I worked some on my chicken tractor yesterday but ran into a snag when I couldn't find my hinges for the door. We bought some more last night in case they don't show up so I hope to get them on today some time. It was just another day pretty much for us too danz, we grilled some chicken & sausages on the grill but that was the extent of our celebration other than watching the fireworks at the fairgrounds last night. I took some pics with my new phone, I'm having fun with it so here are a few I took last night of the fireworks.
This turned out to look like a heart in the background & I liked the color.
Spaceship
Flower
The light in the upper right is from the darned street light in front of us.
Nice pictures Trish. I never saw or heard a fire cracker. It didn't disappoint me at all.
I put some more shade cloth on some pens today. And moved my older peachicks out to the trailer. Sure hope they do okay. I worry so much. I haven't set up heat for them yet since it's so stinking hot. I got all the birds watered but came in to cool off and I'll feed them all a little later. I really don't want them eating in the heat of the day. I finally got down to one incubator but I have a pile of eggs on the counter I want to set. I planned to put the new heating coil and thermostat in the incubator I'm converting to digital. I really don't want to mess with it today but I have been waiting to get that second incubator empty. So I suppose I should take the time to do it. I sure hope it works okay.
I had a huge hatch yesterday. It's probably the last big bunch of eggs I set cause I sure don't have many set after that. I still haven't had any fertile eggs from my light brahmas. I wonder if my new boy is good or not. I sure have wasted a lot of eggs doing test hatches. I'd hate to start all over raising a new cockerel from show lines.
I put some more shade cloth on some pens today. And moved my older peachicks out to the trailer. Sure hope they do okay. I worry so much. I haven't set up heat for them yet since it's so stinking hot. I got all the birds watered but came in to cool off and I'll feed them all a little later. I really don't want them eating in the heat of the day. I finally got down to one incubator but I have a pile of eggs on the counter I want to set. I planned to put the new heating coil and thermostat in the incubator I'm converting to digital. I really don't want to mess with it today but I have been waiting to get that second incubator empty. So I suppose I should take the time to do it. I sure hope it works okay.
I had a huge hatch yesterday. It's probably the last big bunch of eggs I set cause I sure don't have many set after that. I still haven't had any fertile eggs from my light brahmas. I wonder if my new boy is good or not. I sure have wasted a lot of eggs doing test hatches. I'd hate to start all over raising a new cockerel from show lines.
Just dropping by to say "howdy!". I trust everyone is well?
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest posts
-
Open Contest APA/ABA Bantam Rooster Show—2025 BYC Summer Fair- Latest: BoundlessLove
-
-
-
-
-
-
Latest threads
-
-
-
-
unexplained deaths in my flock (graphic photos)- Started by GracePoultry
- Replies: 25
-
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
-
How intense is your pecking order?
- Started by thecatumbrella
- Replies: 96
-