New Mexico

[Yolkmountain]

My neighbor's dog decided one of my chickens was either a chew toy or dinner... either way it was not pretty. She has survived, so far... and is recovering in the Chickie ER (My chicken room in the garage). The neighbor's other dog ( a border collie) likes to herd my girls... guess this brings a whole new meaning to rounding up some dinner for a friend... ugh!

 

[Colie <3]

Quote:
Ohh man that sucks! I'm sorry! Poor chickie

Do you have some way to confine your chickens to a run to keep the dogs away from them? My mother has Belgian Malinois and they love herding, chasing and munching on chickens. She has one serious coop and run set up now to keep her flock safe after losing so many to the dang dogs. She started with 25 chicks about 2 years later I think she has 8 hens left. She went thru a phase where they kept getting out and getting hit by cars and coyotes got them as well so can't blame her dogs entirely but still! Chickens are too tempting I guess. My maltese doesn't mind them but I think it's because she's so little as well.

 

[Yolkmountain]

My chickies are normally in a run. About once a week, when its not too cold for me to be outside, I let them out to forage in the yard. I was monitoring them so I was able to get to her quickly. I am thankful for that! The neighbors have had alot of problems with this dog with others...he likes to intimidate and therefore animal control is on a first name basis with the dog. I talked to the neighbors, didnt call animal control... they have had him inside ever since.

 

[cathunter10]

A good chicken dog is worth his wait in gold he not only will protect the flock from preditors but will keep peace umong them He will break up any fights that break out on the yard and never hurt a feather on them.that being said they have to think they are a chicken my pup (Lucky) is sleeping in the pen with the laying hens Tonight for the first time, they are twice as big as him. They will teach him where his place is

he now has a new adopted family 6 old white hens.

Bill

 

[jossanne]

We have two chicken dogs, a pit bull and a jack russell terrier. Who'd have thought those two breeds would be so wonderful with my flock? They've both had their accidents getting used to the chickens, but now I know that as long as the dogs are outside nothing will get my free ranging chickens. We also have a chia-poo who doesn't hurt the chickens, but doesn't do much for defense either. Out here in Cliff we have lots of predators, and the only predators that have got my girls while they're out and about are birds of prey.

Funny story, I'd been working on teaching the dogs to break up rooster fights. I had a bantam cochin roo who had been the boss of the yard and added a mature OEGB cock to the mix. Those two boys, Lloyd (cochin) and Dude (OEGB) fought every chance they got, and so the dogs were learning to keep the peace. One morning when I let Dude out for a little free time, they immediately started fighting, so I sent the dogs in to break it up. The pit bull jumped in the middle, picked the cochin up and took off across the field next to my house. I yelled, but the dog didn't drop the rooster or come home. I was still in my slippers, so I ran in the house, pulled on my boots and took off through the field, yelling for the dog to come back. He was at least 100 yards away when he finally turned around, dropped Lloyd, and made a circle around me to get home. I went to go bring Lloyd's carcass home, and when I got to him I saw he was breathing. I picked him up, he lifted his head and by the time we got back to the yard he was alert and ready to go be with his girls. He had a couple of loose feathers and was a bit soggy, but otherwise he was unharmed. The dog had just dropped him out there to give the roos some time to cool off, I guess! He hasn't broken up any fights using that method since, as far as I know.

 

[Junkmanme]

Jossanne,

I think your dog was just solving the problem in the best way that he could figure to do it.

My Boxer, Crockett, won't let the chickens give trouble. (I have an "attack rooster" that wouldn't DARE attack me IF Crockett is with me.) And Crockett behaves himself well around the chickens IF I'm with him. But I won't trust him with the chickens alone.....He starts acting like a "bird-dog".....I've watched him from a distance. Ha-Ha !!!

But, he does know that the Chickens "belong" here. I'm sure he wouldn't let any other creature bother them....they're HIS !

Good Story about your dog!

I haven't been through Cliff in a while....but I always pass through there when I visit my daughter in Silver City.

-Junkmanme-

 

[cathunter10]

Good morning New Mexico.No wind this morning here in Tularosa Looks like its going to be a perfect day Its not even daylight yet and I here my pheasants calling so I guess breeding season is just around the corner.Bettys Buttercup chicks are almost a week old and really growing.By this weekend they will have to be moved to a larger brooder in the garage.

Bill

 

[Junkmanme]

Good Morning, cathunter10,

The Sun Also Rises.......in Northern New Mexico !!!

(I was beginning to have my doubts ! )

It looks like we will also have a nice day......if the Creek (or Navajo) don't rise...and the wind doesn't blow.

The snow this past weekend has returned "Dottie's Farm" to its "Mud-Lake" status......the winds had dried out a couple of spots prior to the snow.

Chickens may not be able to swim......but they are fairly good at MUD-STOMPIN' !!!

At least the Sun is out and about this morning......

-Junkmanme-

 

[dak]

Grumble, grumble, grumble..... TOO dang cold in the four corners......grumble..........ready for spring (even with the winds)..... grumble.....

 

[Yolkmountain]

Things were just cold enough around here this morning to firm up the mud. The girls have become very good at pulling the straw they have knocked out of the nesting boxes out of the coop to create a nice carpet on the mud. I guess they are just doing a bit of redecorating. I am so glad to have some warmer weather and even though I know we need the moisture a tad bit less mud would be nice!