NY chicken lover!!!!

[Breella]

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/26160722/
Today we joined the world of Dog Ownership. I grew up with always having one Border Collie around the farm. Hubby grew up with many and several different breeds of dogs. We weren't certain of this boy when we pulled in, being in the kennel had changed him into a wild looking beast. Barking, running from wall to wall, hair standing up. But once he came out and walked with us, he relaxed a bit and we liked him. When we stopped at TSC to get his food on the way home, he was a changed dog. So happy, tail wagging, and willing to look us in the eye. Got a few compliments on what a nice looking dog and what breed. Shelter said hound mix, he face looks like a red tri-color aussie, his coat is like a shepard. He got a flea/tick bath as soon as we got home and a good brushing. Will need to get him tested for Lyme, the shelter found and pulled a tick off before we left and we found another during the bath. They have problems with Lyme disease in their area, so hoping for the best. Little girl has been trying to get him to play with her, but he is still uncertain of how (and dogs don't play tag). He was very interested in looking at the chickens, so we will start right away with making sure there is not problems with that interaction. Any fellow dog owners have pointers on how to make sure this is a happy encounter? He won't be leashed forever and the chickens are always free ranging. He started clicker training at the kennel, and we intend to continue to ensure a good canine citizen.
He is now happily relaxing at my feet.

Enroll him in a good training program, Keep him leashed for now. You need to be able to redirect your dog *no matter what*. For my black lab, I can always redirect him by either having a ball handy or if we are out in the backyard by asking him to go get a ball for me. (and he will drop his nose and start scenting for one of his balls, and will find and retrieve one for me to play fetch with him) A ball is his favorite thing in the world. He loves his balls more than he likes chasing cats or stalking chickens. He likes balls more than he likes barking, eating, drinking or breathing. The only thing he may love more than balls is swimming after a floating ball I have thrown in a body of water. Every dog has something they LOVE. For some dogs it is food, for other dogs it is play. When you find that thing that drives your new dog you can use it to redirect them from just about everything. If you have a very calm chicken who would tolerate the dog sniffing around it let the dog meet the hen or roo, let him sniff on leash, I suggest a gentle leader head collar:

http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Gentl...8&qid=1382884683&sr=8-5&keywords=halti+collar

These collars are designed to redirect the dogs attention to you. When they pull, or when you pull the dogs head is turned towards you. Breaking the eye contact. My dog responds amazingly to this collar and it is the only one I walk him on. We have used flats, martangles, and even tried the prongs but this gets the best, most reliable results out of my dog.

 

[miquwid]

what is everyone planning for spring??? I would like to hatch out some chicks in spring but I seem to notice that a lot of people do it thru the winter. brrrrr cold. I am not set up for winter time hatching. I am hoping that I will have a couple of broody mama's early this spring and let them set. any way of telling if the chickens will go broody??? or if I leave eggs in one of the sitting areas someone might take the hint??? having the sussex rooster I know that most of the eggs will be fertile. the only ones I had trouble with were my barred rock eggs- none have ever hatched in 2 sets that have been done.

I would love to gain a couple of frizzles in spring if anyone is hatching then. does anyone know why I would get 5 out of 8 in my last hatch to be roosters??? just circumstance the way it is ????? I have one rooster that looks exactly like his Sussex daddy, 2 whites,(mothers leghorn mixes) and 2 rir , one with a black/green tail feathers and one with white tail feathers. it is just interesting what they end up looking like and the fact I need to get rid of at least 3 of them .uuughghh.

omg, I have chatted enough--everyone have a good sunday, check back in later!!!
dawn

If I can get my incubator built I will do a hatch. If it goes well I will order Cream Legbar eggs.

Lapeerian congrats and good luck with your training there are ton of different methods just start with a basic class for you and your dog to commincate with each other and then you will find what works best for you and your dog. It's different for every person and dog. Have fun I love the training. I want to trap a rat and see if my yorkie will react and if so I want to let her have at all the rats.

Anyway I'm hungover LOL fun halloween party last night, chickens this morning driving me up a wall just flying everywhere I just walked away.

 

[armorfirelady]

Brealla I agree with the gentle leader. I have used them for years and can walk both my dogs on one leash with a splitter as long as they have their gentle leaders on. Even a child cam walk them. I have a Aussie/lab mix & blue heeler. 100 # combined weight & they walk like champs. Even in the woods that's full of squirrels and chipmunks, which they love to chase, they don't pull their lead. I have several so there is always a set in the car & at home. Best investment I have made for the dogs

 

[Lapeerian]

Thanks everyone! I stopped at CountryMax this morning with him to get a harness, slip leash (that is what he is used to at the shelter), and tie-out trolly (for potty breaks, not full time use). And some small treats for his training and couple kong type toys. I was considering the head collar, will pick one up next time we are there. He pulls on a regular collar, but is better with the slip leash or chain. Hubby took him to the barn to let horses and chickens out, so he is getting slowly exposed but will not be allowed to run loose until he has a solid recall. He does seem to know "leave it", but I know that is not enough around live chickens.

 

[rancher hicks]

yes, I want to do that also. my husband rolls his eyes at me all the time when I say that stuff hehehehehehehe. I assume that I can store the pumpkins outside and let them freeze and bring one in to slice up to feed to them once a week? nooo????

I had read an article where the guy kept frozen pumpkins. Then he'd take one and put it in a bucket to thaw out. Then feed it to the pig and chickens. So I thought if I had a bunch I could do the same.

I try to keep them from getting bored. The chickens not the pumpkins.

 

[rancher hicks]

I've decided to start a hatch of Dels now. I intend to order eggs and chicks too.

Hatching BM's is a pain so any I hatch will have to be hatched by broodies. Any broody in the spring will get mostly BM eggs.

Hatching early like Marq says means they'll eat more to keep warm and be hardier and bigger. At least that's what I've read.

Too, they'll be laying before summer ends. I've got some pullets now near to laying time. I've also got a BM pullet who most likely will not lay til spring if then.

Of course a summer processing won't matter since we have a freezer.

Also lots of folks contact me for pullets too and I don't usually have any.

 

[Lynzi777]

Evening Everyone!
Back from my weekend trip to CT...LOTS of running around in the two short days I was there but it was all worth it. Glad to be back home in farm country.

These two were the first to greet me when I pulled up...

Glinda and Evanora



These are my two newest silkies...

Here is the one that is definitely a hen




This is the second one that she was unsure of but I'm leaning more towards roo because of the way his crest feathers are growing out...

 

[miquwid]

Imma try tbe pumkins like rancher good idea

Lynzi beautiful birds. Glad you had a great trip. Welcome back

 

[Gramma Chick]

Well I come home
My husband says my little Sumatra Roo is attacking him & my son ..( <- not a baby ...is 30 )
my husband said he kicked at him a few times before he stopped ...

 

[Cass]

Well I come home
My husband says my little Sumatra Roo is attacking him & my son ..( <- not a baby ...is 30 )
my husband said he kicked at him a few times before he stopped ...

LOL. Did the roo get higher than their ankle? Chase him around with a big stick and if you can land a few wacks close to him while doing it, all the better. (Don't actually hit him, because he is so small it might kill him) Right now those roos are teenagers. Once they get through that icky teen stage he will be a WONDERFUL roo, very protective of the flock and very aware of the surroundings to protect the flock from aerial attacks. Unless he actually is causing damage to people try and stay the course to see how he is in the spring.