Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[ladyrsanti]

ChickWannaB, you know we're behind you regardless and I think you did and are doing the right thing. I've got a feral dog problem here and it runs with neighborhood dogs (whoever will follow it that day) and leaves before I can react. Thanks for the information. It's good to know I *could* shoot it when it's barking at my sheep and chickens. I still don't own a gun though. But when I do...

How are your turkeys?

 

[naglady]

Sorry for your loss...

great idea going to gun range.. especially if your not familiar with your gun.. i agree, 20 and 12 gauge not much difference in kick.. trick is holding it tight against shoulder so their is no room for kick.
Good Luck.. Be ready if that dog comes back..

 

[SillyChicken]

Seeing as I'm a dog lover, I hate to have a dog get shot when he's doing what a dog does... I rather hurt the owner in the wallet before killing the dog... I know it's frustrating losing birds to a neighbors dog (I've lost a few myself that way too). If they think its "just a chicken" send them a bill for your loss. The cost of a fully mature bird to replace it. Then add in, the money you invested to purchase, feed to raise it, including meds/pest control, the cost of feed to maintain it to what would be a normal life span for your flock. Then factor in the number of eggs/chicks the bird would have produced through out that life span, And then finally add the cost of the carcass of the bird (that you can't even eat now) but could have. all of the these things are financial loss to you. Maybe even factor in an hourly wage for managing the bird... When they see a bill for over 800$ (just tossing out a number) for "just a chicken".. we'll see if they and your DH change their mind....Just because it's not a pet, doesn't mean it doesn't have value, if only financial value.

As far as your DH... yeah, I would be more angered that he didn't have your back vs kissing up to the neighbor. You could always suggest that he go snuggle up to the neighbors dog next time he's feeling frisky...

 

[Candy442]

Brett (iamfivewire) and I loved seeing everyone at our first Chickenstock. I just ordered commemorative T shirts. Really wanted some of those silkie chicks (shhhh, don't tell DH!!) He will run right out and get them. ONLY KIDDING SWEETHEART! no more fuzzybottoms right now

Next year we will be devoting the entire day to the affair and we can't wait! Everyone was very nice and lots of beautiful birds to look at. Also bunnies!

 

[1muttsfan]

If you can catch the dog, turn it over to Animal Control. Usually after people have to pay the impound fee a few times they start keeping better track of their pet. I agree with Silly, yes the dog could legally be shot, but there are non-lethal alternatives to try as well. A paint gun may be one, as you then have direct proof the dog was where it shouldn't be, and it is pretty painful as well. There are abundant predators here where I live, stray dogs being only one of them, so to keep chickens they have to be confined in a safe area or monitored when out.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Not much sleep.
I promised the cops I'd try to find the CAMERA first, but like he told me, now that it's tasted blood, he won't forget where he got it.
I am very familiar with guns. Have been hunting with "dh" since we met. Deer hunting every year, not to brag but I have taken 16 deer in the 14 years. I use a .308, magnaported so it reduced the kick a little but blows the noise back at me alot louder. Hubbys is not magnaported, he takes the full punch.
I am just not familiar with THIS 12 guage, it is strictly for home defence, it's a pump action and I have never shot it. I will be today. I have shot 12's in the past, out squirrel hunting with brothers. I was alot younger, and smaller.
I am a legal CCW holder, have taken all the required tests, proved I know the ramifications of the law if/when I ever have to shoot it at a person, proved I can accurately handle the weapon and have gone thru the background check. I am not afraid of guns. I don't so much like people. Especially the ones tho think I have "only a chicken".
I've had dogs all my life and love them too. But I'm a realist. Owners are responsible.
I've lost 3 laying hens already this year. One by accident, the other 2 had internal issues. The first one, poor Doris, suffered for 4 days before I found a vet that could see her. It was not a resolvable issue and I was advised to put her down, which I did. It cost me 89.50 that day. The second hen didn't suffer as long, I took her out behind the barn and shot her. That was not an easy thing to do, my mind spun for days after, but I didn't want to see her suffer. I care about animals and don't think I would own any if I could not handle the financial and emotional responsibility that comes with them. You have to put them first, they are dependant on us, not we on them. We are supposed to be the superior being, higher on the food chain, etc.
Well, I don't want to come across like I'm flaming or pushing my opinions or anything, it's all still so fresh. I admit I did pull the gun in anger yesterday. Next time I will try to think it through a little more first. At least I had the wherewithal to decide to NOT place my shot when the background wasn't safe.

 

[Ferrret]

I know many here make some kind of income off of their birds, or at least use them to take down some of their own food costs.
The question 'Why would you shoot a family pet over a chicken' strikes me as ignorant. Why would you permit your family pet to destroy someone's livelihood, as a dog chewing through chickens does?

You're within legal right to kill a dog that is harassing or harming your livestock, pets, or family members. Most folks won't shoot a dog they know belongs to someone unless it becomes a repeated problem. Sending a bill for damages may be enough for some to keep their dog fenced or leashed. Some may need a printed copy of any leash laws in the area and perhaps the laws permitting you to protect your livestock and home. You may even want to check for 'animal at large' laws, which in some areas can carry a large fine.

I tend to be of the opinion that if you're going to allow your animals to roam wherever they please, you should be fully aware that they may not come home one day.
A paintball gun and/or electric fence may be a good second warning, but huskies are known to be smart and mischievous dogs.

 

[preciouskitty]

Quote:
I wholeheartedly agree. I LOVE dogs (heck, pretty much all wildlife..like it more than humans!). My neighbors have 2 new Lab puppies & we are trying to work TOGETHER to make help prevent any issues of their dogs coming over & hurting the birds should (er, when) they get off their leads. They are puppies; they are Labs..& if they get to the birds they will do what comes naturally. Addie ALWAYS comes right to our porch when she escapes... At the moment, I text them when I let the birds out of their pen..I think they are getting an electric underground fence put in (they were thinking of a chain link, but as we "share" 11 acres, I do NOT want it looking like I am back in suburbia!!). BUT, this only works when you neighbors are willing to play nice..mine respect my birds (hence, the coin they are about to drop & I got the birds AFTER they got the dogs) and would be heartbroken if anyting happened...sure wish all dog owners were as responsible (and I am one too...and I get it, if I let my Rottie roam...he may not come home..and it would be MY FAULT)

 

[ladyrsanti]

Roasted one of my own chickens for the first time last night. The first chicken I processed back in Feb. was a year old so he was stewed but these guys were 12 weeks old, tender and TASTY. I was worried they wouldn't stretch far enough with five of us and them being around 3 lbs. but we had leftovers to go into the soup or couscous or whatever I think up for tonight's dinner. I'll be boiling the carcass this afternoon. Two more in the freezer and two more out in the coop (the two I had at CS) waiting to reach a decent weight. I guess, apart from the unpleasant task of processing, I don't mind having cockerels.

Picture of prepped chicken with lemons and thyme, spoiler for anyone sensitive to seeing raw meat

I wanted to take a picture of the cooked bird but I knew once it hit the table, it would be gone. Sure enough. My table looks like the Fantastic Mr. Fox at dinner time, "That was pure wild animal craziness."

 

[Wynette]

Good morning, MICHIGAN PEEPS!

(hey, Bess - did you get that pullet delivered? Hope all went well, and thanks so much for doing that!)

It was fantastic to meet up with old friends and make new ones at Chickenstock this year - I'm thrilled the turnout was so good again! Michigan rocks!