Maine

[IZZYBELLA]

My neighbor's dog ran through her electric fence and tried to get my chickens, who were free ranging in the backyard. Luckily I was out with them and was able to scare her off, but yikes was she vicious... teeth barred, hair upright, growling. Really hoping this doesn't become a problem. I haven't dared to let them out since.

In better news, we got a second egg! They are teeny tiny, but so perfectly formed... adorable. I feel like a kid every time I check the nest box.

 

[Widget]

My neighbor's dog ran through her electric fence and tried to get my chickens, who were free ranging in the backyard. Luckily I was out with them and was able to scare her off, but yikes was she vicious... teeth barred, hair upright, growling. Really hoping this doesn't become a problem. I haven't dared to let them out since.

In better news, we got a second egg! They are teeny tiny, but so perfectly formed... adorable. I feel like a kid every time I check the nest box.

Sounds like the dog is not well trained to the fence, the fence isnt at a high enough setting, the battery in the collar needs to be changed or the dog is just not a good candidate for an invisible fence.

Some breeds, such as Pyrs and Huskies, just do not respect an electric fence. My first Potcake was trained to an electric fence and knew exactly how far she could go before the collar beeped let alone zapped. Took her less than a week to learn the boundaries and she never went through it. With that said I would never even think about trying my Ibizan hound on the fence. Her prey drive is way too strong. She would run through the fence in a heartbeat.

 

[Widget]

For anyone in the Portland area the Habitat for Humanity store is having their grand re-opening at their new location this Saturday. This store is larger than the old one so hopefully they will have a better selection of stuff that would come in handy for coop building. I might head over just to see what they have but also because there are going to be quite a few of the food trucks that now call Portland home selling products ranging from poutine, various wraps, mexican food, hot dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade and gourmet mini donuts.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Some breeds, such as Pyrs and Huskies, just do not respect an electric fence. My first Potcake was trained to an electric fence and knew exactly how far she could go before the collar beeped let alone zapped. Took her less than a week to learn the boundaries and she never went through it. With that said I would never even think about trying my Ibizan hound on the fence. Her prey drive is way too strong. She would run through the fence in a heartbeat.

Interesting you mention huskies. She is an unknown mix, but I've always thought that she definitely has some sort of husky-like breed in her.

I agree re: hounds. We don't dare to train our greyhound on the electric fence. I would love to be able to, but she when she gets to whipping around she could blow through without even blinking!

 

[Widget]

Interesting you mention huskies. She is an unknown mix, but I've always thought that she definitely has some sort of husky-like breed in her.

I agree re: hounds. We don't dare to train our greyhound on the electric fence. I would love to be able to, but she when she gets to whipping around she could blow through without even blinking!

So many issues could be avoided if people really understood what a particular breed was bred for before they bring one into their home. Not that it means you cant own a Jack Russell terrier and a also have a pet gerbil but I would not recommend having them loose in the same room together. Or that you cant have a Great Pyrenees and also live in Chicago. I did the latter and had no issues. And it was nice to have a giant breed dog with a very deep bark while living in such a safe city.

On another note my Ibizan is now very happy. Her fleece coat arrived today and she is now nice and toasty warm.

Normally I hate seeing dogs that are dressed up in cutesy outfits but in this case she really needs a bit of extra layers to be comfortable. At least the Pit has yet to need her winter jacket on. With her body type she only needs the extra warmth when the thermometer dips below 20.

 

[buckabucka]

It's kind of a blurry IPad photo, but I was excited to arrive home and find the solar guys were already finished and we made our first electricity! (And then it quickly got dark, but it was still exciting).

 

[Widget]

It's kind of a blurry IPad photo, but I was excited to arrive home and find the solar guys were already finished and we made our first electricity! (And then it quickly got dark, but it was still exciting).

 

[hoppy]

It's kind of a blurry IPad photo, but I was excited to arrive home and find the solar guys were already finished and we made our first electricity! (And then it quickly got dark, but it was still exciting).

 

[buckabucka]

It's kind of a blurry IPad photo, but I was excited to arrive home and find the solar guys were already finished and we made our first electricity! (And then it quickly got dark, but it was still exciting).

The solar tubes for hot water have already been here for a while. DH installed them using a cheap Chinese kit (note to anyone reading: DO NOT buy a cheap Chinese kit. You will need to replace all the cheap metal fittings with decent ones). We have 2 meters now, one that runs forward and one backwards, but it is a digital display, so not as exciting as watching something turn, just flashing numbers. The new siding is only complete on one side of the house, so it's a little odd-looking!

 

[CoopChick719]

I lost another one of my Red Stars last night. I found her dead under the nesting boxes. So I did my first necropsy. I have no idea what killed her but it was a learning experience.