INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[kabhyper1]

Also having alpacas, we are super wary of stray dogs. Alpacas don't have any defense really, a dog can kill one fairly easily.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Also having alpacas, we are super wary of stray dogs. Alpacas don't have any defense really, a dog can kill one fairly easily.

They are easily frightened too. I no longer have mine, but even a barn cat would spook them.

 

[CluckAcres]

Some of you remember me having dog issues before. Except it was my own dog. He was nice to people just not my chickens. He killed several and as some of you know got into my incubator (chicks were due anyday at that time) and ate all those eggs and chicks. After several attempts of training him AGAIN I had to find him a good home. Some times dogs have triggers and once they are switched you can never switch it back. So that being said even if your dog or animal was nice at one point and think it wont hurt a fly think again. Thats what some owners problems are. Sorry to hear about the recent dog attacks!

 

[me me me]

Can

yep, sounds like its the rooster. Mines "favorites" are starting to look a little scruffy too. The aprons are  wonderful, and you can also trim spurs, it helps.
Looks like an excellent choice. The buckets are what works best for you,one single bucket will even work fine,just keep replacing what you use. top with water. I have so many buckets because there's so many birds here. And also feeding other animals, such as the hogs. To determine what amount I give them, I start with whats recommended. Some feed bags only say free choice so, lets guess at 1/4 cup per bird fermented. Probably way too much, but unless they are meat birds, they will leave food if they are "full". The next day adjust up or down as to what they need. You will also notice less water intake, since the FF is moistened, they drink less water. As your birds get older you will have to readjust. Whatever is left after 15 to 20 minutes I take up, I don't leave food in or around any coops at night.I feed early evening so I can do a headcount, and peek at everyone to look for problems, injury, etc. and make sure they are all locked in for the night.



More input is always better than none!

Can I ferment cracked corn and molasis for the chickies I have 3 bags in the barn

 

[danand]

Brad- thanks for the offer!! You are a bit north!! And I do have plenty of babies growing quickly, some re even girls although I'm going to have a boy problem!!

And I too have 3 dogs. 2 are Jack russels and would eat chicken at their first chance. So being a responsible pet owner they are properly fenced away from the chickens! And they sleep with us and have their own blankies. So as well as I know them I would never trust them in certain situations. And they aren't even big, but it's in their nature to chase and kill. It's just them. I had a neighbors pit bull , a young one, get in my yard at our last house, my DH had just went in the house with our dogs(thank heavens) and it was all I could do to get it in a kennel and go get the neighbor to get it. I also had a 75lb greyhound at that time that weighed 2 times what that dog did. But it was all I could do to control it! It's just amazing how strong some breeds can be. It's not like a an ankle biter that you can control.

 

[danand]

I have aprons on my girls. They don't mind at all.

 

[danand]

My neighbor has alpacas and some baby goats right now. She's the one that chased the dog and called the sheriff. She had already had a conversation with the dog owner too. So he has been more than warned! She said they had been back pestering her peacocks too!

I am wanting to has a couple sheep and a goat or 2 also but I'm going to need super secure fencing and safe pens. Had some growing up . And that's why we have guns at all doors!! Had dog packs as a kid and now coyotes and neighbor dogs now!!

 

[hogster160]

Agreed! I have 3 dogs and fenced in yard for them. When I'm not home, mine are not outside. I don't trust them nor other people. They are safe in the house, usually destroying a remote, socks, pancake mix, etc. lol. Ou can definitely tell when the weather has been crappy and they haven't gotten any exercise lol!

I agree, I too have a couple of dogs. A pit bull and a mutt. You will never see my dogs outside in the fenced in yard if I or another family member are not home. Someone is always home if my dogs are outside. Being a responsible dog owner is more than just feeding and watering the animal. Training, which imho, never ends. For both of us. You will never hear me say "I don't worry about my pit biting anyone" They are dogs, not people, they can't speak to say what has scared them, hurt them, or which kid is on their last nerve. IMHO no dogs can be trusted with my young child. Biting/mouthing is natural to dogs, it how mama, get their attention. As a responsible pet owner, I need to make sure my dogs are not in a situation that can harm them, or for them to cause harm to someone else.

We have baby gates up for our dogs. One of my great danes had seizures. The baby gates were part of her recovery. She would seize, one of us stayed with her, while others put up gates in doorways. This was to prevent her from hurting anyone after her seizure. (which she was prone to do) We eventually had her put down, as no meds worked to ease her. She was seizing almost daily, toward the end, she would cluster. But the gates stayed. Now with my grand daughter 2 yo we use them for safety for both her and the dogs lol. The dogs just need a break from the 2yo.

Anyway, I am very sorry to hear of the attacks from dogs to chickens and kids. Just breaks my heart. Healing prayers for all.

I did finally start my ff tonight. I do think I started way too much tho. I figured 1/2 c dry (18% crumbles) per bird for the day (15 LF layers 3 months old). I used a 1 gallon ice cream bucket. Wow is it full atm. I am kind of scared to see how full it will be by morning. I'm going to set it inside a 5g bucket just in case lol. Do I just add the wheat to that as well or do I need to do that separate? I was thinking I may just sprout those to see how they do. Not sure yet. lol So many options!

Thanks for all the help on getting the FF started, its much appreciated!

Deb

Edited to add age and type of bird

 

[danand]

Old rooster- I kind of told him that 2 weeks ago when I warned him. And then told the sherif I would if they were on my property again, the sherif said I had a right to do it. Which I ill ready knew!! The owner said go ahead shoot them!!! And doesn't care!! Nothing like a neighborhood fight to get the blood boiling!!

 

[mcurry]

Parental kill urge is an understatement with dog bites. And I am sorry for the poster that's BO's are missing. I'd be furious as well as worried!
I have 2 Buff Cochins & 2 Australs (same age) in the brooder doing the clicking. Only 1 of the Australs isn't doing it. However, they are still growing, eating, drinking, normal poop etc. no discharge or crusties. Whatver it is, seems mild. I was going to wait to try Tylan until they've had the full course of Duraycin so j don't cause them antibiotic resistence.
At this point I feel I am doing all I can & it's a waitig game. Frustrating for sure, but I knew it could happen. Esp buying at Feed Stores