Texas

[Will-Way Ranch]

I use Texas Naturals. Naturally it is twice the cost of regular layer pellets, but I like it being non GMO. We are starting to build up a small egg business because people like the non GMO. We charge $4 per dozen and can't keep up. Have 14 POL pullets that ought to get started next month. People comment that our egg yolks are rich and taste good. We just butchered 22 Delaware roosters and the meat is very good. I sold a couple of them and the lady ordered 5 more (we have 9 more to butcher)

Thanks I'll check it out, did u order online or your local feed store? I have 3 Rhode Island Red that are 17 weeks

 

[MandyJ]

Sorry for your losses. My game camera never would pick up the different predators I had come around throughout the years. When I think of what could be out there I cringe. I was out watching the meteor shower at about 2 a.m. when I heard a sort of low growl. I think it only took me two seconds to get my behind into the house.

I bet!

 

[MandyJ]

Working on it, my husband is back on the porch trying to get either of them. But the bobcat comes in so late, I doubt that we will get it. So far it doesn't seem to be doing any harm, but I am sure it will given enough time. The coyote only struck in the afternoon.

It's terrible seeing the duck down, but she is still with us. I have given her electrolytes and a little feed. So far I don't think that she is eating. She is drinking. We'll see tomorrow.

Update, the duck passed last night. I found her this morning. Breaks my heart!

 

[TexasLisa]

Hi all

I'm in Liberty Hill
And i just got my first egg!!!

Congratulations!! Love the color

Update, the duck passed last night. I found her this morning. Breaks my heart!

I am so sorry Mandy. What a rotten way to start the day.

 

[kajira]

For those of you who have Chickens and Dogs living peacefully together, what breed of dog do you have?

 

[TheRedHenHouse]

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and a Red Heller, the griffon is a hunting dog so it took a while for her to realize pets from food but they are a brilliant breed and she does fine with them, usually points and try's to round them up.

 

[kajira]

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and a Red Heller, the griffon is a hunting dog so it took a while for her to realize pets from food but they are a brilliant breed and she does fine with them, usually points and try's to round them up.

How does your heeler do with them? I know aussies and other herding breeds can get nippy sometimes.

 

[NinasNest]

For those of you who have Chickens and Dogs living peacefully together, what breed of dog do you have?

We have an intact 2 yr old male boxer. We are working with him!! [Warning: may be a trigger] He chased one a when they were about 3 months, she was fine just in shock. He got ahold of our speckled Sussex when she was around 4 months, she didn't make it. I've read a lot of dogs and chickens and i really want to believe he wasn't TRYING to kill her, she had no puncture wounds, she was soaked in slobber so I'm guessing he just shook her... A few days ago he chased one of our orpingtons, she only lost a few feathers, she's totally fine.
We've been using a shock collar to help with boundaries and it's worked most occasions. After this last one though we seriously contemplated giving him away.. he's a great dog, lets us know when anyone is even walking down the street. He's just a handful!!

Is training him hopeless since he's already gotten ahold of chickens?

 

[kajira]

We have an intact 2 yr old male boxer. We are working with him!! [Warning: may be a trigger] He chased one a when they were about 3 months, she was fine just in shock. He got ahold of our speckled Sussex when she was around 4 months, she didn't make it. I've read a lot of dogs and chickens and i really want to believe he wasn't TRYING to kill her, she had no puncture wounds, she was soaked in slobber so I'm guessing he just shook her... A few days ago he chased one of our orpingtons, she only lost a few feathers, she's totally fine.
We've been using a shock collar to help with boundaries and it's worked most occasions. After this last one though we seriously contemplated giving him away..

he's a great dog, lets us know when anyone is even walking down the street. He's just a handful!!

Is training him hopeless since he's already gotten ahold of chickens?

We used shock collars, and pellet guns on ours. They just ripped apart my daughters chicken in front of her. They'd been trained to respect them, and the minute they got the opportunity they did it in front of her, when she was trying to stop them.

Apparently, it didn't prevent ours from killing the chicken.

My friend has golden retrievers, and they've never killed a chicken.

We have bully-breeds... and they are good with the other livestock. goats, horses... but chickens are just too tempting.

 

[jtn42248]

We have seven dogs. A 12 year old Pomeranian, Greyhound/Lab mix, Anatolian, two Boxer/Bulls, Shelty, and a German Shorthaired Pointer. They have ONLY at fence access to our chickens, ducks and geese. They are VERY interested in the birds but don't charge or attack the fence. We would NEVER allow them to come in contact simply because we don't want to find out what they would really do. We love our dogs and our birds and part of us being responsible is to keep them apart. The dogs discourage critter visits from a distance unless the critter comes into the actual yard and that in turn helps to keep the birds safe. The yard around our house, where the dogs have free access, is about an acre. The birds have free range on three acres. Everyone seems happy with this arrangement.