Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

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Our English Setter, Molly. No interest in the box full of chicks at all. <shudder> Did I ever use a heat lamp?



This was when the chickens first got to check out their new run....Molly had shown no interest in them UNTIL they were in there running, squawking, flying. Different story then - but do you see that hardware cloth on the lower side of the run? It folds out at the bottom and extends another two feet as an apron. Shortly after this photo was taken, Molly decided to dig under to get at them - and she broke a toenail and bloodied her paw. She decided they not only weren't worth it, but they must have CAUSED it. She never, ever bothered then again, not even when they were outside on the lawn. Self taught lessons stick the best, I guess.


Matilda ran right under her....no reaction except surprise.


Molly and our special chick, Scout. She looked after him pretty well when he was injured and kept in the house for awhile, standing guard over him next to MHP cave but never bothering him.


Laying in the run waiting for me to finish chores. See all the chicks in there?


Look! Bookends!!
 
Last edited:
perchie.girl said:
Always keep an eye on dogs that have never been around chickens.... That prey drive is sometimes snap judgment on their part. Set them up for success every time . My Rosie Posie had never been around poultry. Sweet girl but shy, adopted from a kill shelter. Very very intelligent. My first (in her experience) chicks were brooded the old fashioned way in a kiddie swimming pool. She spent hours sitting like a vulture on the edge with glittering eyes and a drippy nose watching every movement. I knew better than mistake it for rapt love or any human expression. When I spotted her I would call her away to do something doggy fun Like ride in the truck or walk out to the horse to do chores. I also Impressed on her that moment toward action with regards to chicks was met by My general command for back off. Which was for her the words "no dogs". I never left her unsupervised. By the time they were fledged she only showed casual interest. which convinced me we were good. Oh and breed is a good indicator of success. She was an Austrailan shepherd cross with a dash of Greyhound in there somewhere. No terrier in the mix or hunting dog. The Aussie brain, and willing to please hard wire, was all there. I never raised my voice to her. Rosie Checking the Parimeter. Cant keep solid gates on the wind here shatters them off their hinges.
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I totally agree! That gleam in the eyes and keen interest is NOT love! Maybe love of fresh meat!
 
Can you guys tell me how your chicks act? Like if this is normal behavior (first chick experience here lol)

So some are under MHP, some are eating, when they're out eating and scratching around they're peeping and chirping softly, some are louder. Then every so often one will be up in top of MHP and do that loud CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP! A few times and then goes and finds something to peck at etc. They are pretty much always making noise if they're out from under MHP. I just don't remember my broodies chicks chirping so much when mamas had them out scratching and eating. But maybe since there was only two chicks I didn't notice it?
 
MesMama said:
I wish I had YouTube so i could take a video and post it for you all to listen to
wink.png
Be easier than trying to explain lol!
Click to expand...

YouTube accounts are free.... Just sayin...

deb
 

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